Are you ready to pay more for your postage stamps?
The U.S. Postal Service is ready with the increased rate stamps. It has issued, in large quantities, three nondenominated first-class stamps to be used on mail about the middle of January. The new rate for a one-ounce letter is 34 cents.
One stamp depicts a "farm flag" design. Featured is a painting by Hiro Kimura of Brooklyn, N.Y., portraying the U.S. flag over a farm house.
A second stamp shows the Statue of Liberty, based on a photo by Paul Hardy of New York City. At the bottom left is "USA First Class."
A third stamp illustrates four beautiful flowers — fressia, symbidium orchid, longiflurum lily and Asian hybrid. The designer is Robert Peak of Winter Park, Fla. At the bottom center is "First Class USA."
These nondenominated stamps will be the "work horses" of the USPS until the new rates are shown on the stamps.
Remember, if you have the old 33-cent stamps, you will have to buy some one-cent stamps to add for the proper rate.
First day covers for the new nondenominated rate stamps can be obtained via the Stamp Fulfillment Service of the USPS by calling (800) STAMP-24.
Antigua and Barbuda honors its Girls Brigade, the worldwide youth group that has helped young girls become mature and responsible adults. There are five stamps and a souvenir sheet in the set.
The 20-cent depicts an outreach program of the Girls Brigade, which helps the residence of the Sunshine Home for Girls on the island.
The 60-cent shows Ullida Rawlins Gill, international vice president for the Caribbean and Americas fellowship of the Girls Brigade.
The 75-cent illustrates a photo of members of the Girls Brigade.
The 90-cent portrays a member of the Antigua branch of the Brigade raising the flag.
The $1.20 displays members of the local Girls Brigade with their company flag.
The souvenir sheet features the international logo of the Girls Brigade.
The stamps of Antigua and Barbuda are available at your local dealer.
In 1966, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 25-cent stamps commemorating the 25th anniversary of U.S. Savings Bonds. The stamp also honored Americans who served in the armed forces of the United States. The design featured the Statue of Liberty hovering over the U.S. flag.