“Let’s go sailing!” The U.S. Postal Service celebrates a favorite outdoor activity with two colorful postcard stamps.
Illustrator Libby VanderPloeg grew up in Grand Haven, MI, a little harbor town on Lake Michigan, so sailboats were always dotting her views as a kid. With these memories in mind, she created two colorful, abstract images that capture the essence of sailing, one of America’s favorite pastimes.
A sailing adventure is one of the true joys of the summer months. Breezes ruffle your hair as your boat glides through the waves—the smells of sea spray and sunscreen linger on your skin. You feel a joyful sensation as the wind tugs the boat toward the horizon.
Sailing offers a fun way to spend time with family and friends in a peaceful place. So, find a boat, pack a picnic, choose your destination, and set sail toward the next harbor!
Antonio Alcalá art directed the project.
Sailboats will be issued in a pane of 20 and a coil format. The word “POSTCARD” on the stamps indicates their usage value. Like Forever® stamps, these stamps will always be valid for the rate printed on them.
Product Specification:
| Issue: | Sailboats Stamps |
| Item Number: | 122500 |
| Denomination & | Postcard Rate Non-denominated, Mail-use |
| Type of Issue: | |
| Format: | Pane of 20 (2 designs) |
| Series: | N/A |
| Issue Date & City: | January 22, 2023, Lahaina, HI 96761 |
| Art Director: | Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA |
| Designer: | Libby VanderPloeg |
| Typographer: | Libby VanderPloeg |
| Illustrator: | Libby VanderPloeg |
| Modeler: | Joseph Sheeran |
| Manufacturing Process: | Offset |
| Printer: | Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd (APU) |
| Press Type: | Muller A76 |
| Stamps per Pane: | 20 |
| Print Quantity: | 120,000,000 stamps |
| Paper Type: | Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag |
| Adhesive Type: | Pressure-sensitive |
| Colors: | Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow |
| Stamp Orientation: | Vertical |
| Image Area (w x h): | 0.73 x 0.84 in / 18.542 x 21.336 mm |
| Stamp Size (w x h): | 0.87 x 0.98 in / 22.098 x 24.892 mm |
| Pane Size (w x h): | 5.35 x 4.93 in / 135.89 x 125.222 mm |
| Plate Size: | 400 stamps per revolution |
| Plate Number: | “P” followed by four (4) single digits |
| Front: | Plate number in four (4) corners of pane |
| Back: | ©2022 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (122500) • Plate position diagram (10) • Promotional text |