2016 Love Stamp Showcases Stunning Three-Dimensional Artwork

                                                    A high-resolution image of the stamp is available for media use only by emailing: [email protected]

DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Love takes to the air tomorrow from Dallas Love Field with the dedication of the Quilled Paper Heart Forever stamps as the 44th inductee into the Postal Service's Love stamp series.

The stamp features a heart created using the ancient art of quilling — also called paper filigree — which involves rolling and shaping narrow strips of paper, laying them on their edges, and gluing them in place to form intricate designs. The origin of the name "quilling" is believed to have come from the first tool used to create the paper curls — the base of a feather or quill. (The photo of the stamp above right provides scale to the original three-dimensional 8"x10" artwork.)

Tomorrow's 10 a.m. CT official First-Day-of-Issue dedication ceremony, free and open to the public, takes place in the airport terminal outside of the security zone in front of the Moss Lee Love Garden. The public and travelers can purchase the stamps outside and inside the terminal's security zone. Use #LoveStamp to share the news on social media when the 150 million stamps become available nationwide tomorrow.

Children will also commemorate the dedication by designing paper hearts which will be given to travelers at the airport.

"Thousands of travelers at Love Field will take flight to destinations across the nation and around the globe," said Postal Service Corporate Communications Vice President Janice Walker who will dedicate the stamp. "Our beautiful Quilled Paper Heart Forever Love stamp evokes tranquility, peace and love as Americans correspond with beloved friends and family while away from home. And they're perfect for Valentine's Day cards."

Scheduled to join Walker in the ceremony are: City of Dallas Director of Aviation Mark Duebner; Postal Service Dallas District Manager Timothy Costello and Postal Service Acting Director of Stamp Services Mary-Anne Penner.

Creating the Art
Renowned paper artist and illustrator Yulia Brodskaya used two simple materials — paper and glue — an intricate technique, that involved placing carefully cut and bent strips of paper to make the lush, vibrant, three-dimensional paper heart artwork. The heart shape in the center is made from paper strips of appealing, eye-catching bright colors surrounded by white paper swirls. The background is white with shadows cast by the dimensional pieces of quilled paper.

Quilling is believed to date from the 15th or 16th century. The first known quillers were monks and nuns in European religious houses. Inspired by metal filigree, quilling was an inexpensive way to create elaborate decorations normally beyond the means of most churches and religious orders. When gilded or silvered, the curled paper could resemble the work of the finest goldsmiths and silversmiths, while designs made with cream-colored paper or vellum appeared to be carvings of ivory.

During the past 20 years, quilling has gained a new popularity. It is a technique that has changed very little with the passage of time and is accessible to anyone. Modern-day quillers only need a few tools to get started — paper, scissors, glue and a quill-like implement for curling the strips. To get started in quilling go online and search for "quilling tips" to find a myriad of quilling websites.

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Offices, at The Postal Store at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-STAMP-24 (800 782-6724). They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others) and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:

Quilled Paper Heart Stamp
401 Tom Landry Freeway, Rm 645
Dallas, TX 75260-9998

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by March 12, 2016.

Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:

U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products
There are seven philatelic products for this stamp issue:

586324, Framed Art, $39.95.
586306, Press Sheet with Die-Cuts, $98 (print quantity 250).
586308, Press Sheet without Die-Cut, $98(print quantity 500).
586310, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
586316, First-Day Cover, $0.93.
586321, Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
586330, Ceremony Program, $6.95.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=38405

CONTACT: Dallas: Arlene Sanchez
         O: 214.819.8707
         C: 817.312.8207
         [email protected]
         
         National: Mark Saunders
         202.268.6524
         [email protected]
         usps.com/news