Summer Harvest Stamps

Description

On July 11, 2015, in Sacramento, CA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Summer Harvest stamps (Forever® First-Class Mail® priced at 49 cents) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) booklet of 20 stamps.

Every summer, some of America’s favorite foods are in season. The U.S. Postal Service celebrates a few of that favorites-corn, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and watermelons-with four new stamps. Vintage produce advertising, including 19th- and early 20th-century crate labels, seed packets, and catalogs, inspired these stamp designs.

Though not all produce was shipped in wooden crates, the stamp art is especially reminiscent of vintage crate labels. The four stylized labels are drawn in the same color palette of red, black, green, and yellow-orange. The product names are in white lettering at the tops of the four stamps. The word “Forever” is enclosed in a banner centered along the bottom of the stamp; the letters “USA” are to the right of the banner.

After America’s railroads linked the East and West Coasts in the 1870s, growers in agricultural areas could ship their products to locations across the country. To distinguish their wares from other producers, growers commissioned special crate labels from printing houses that employed some of the day’s best graphic artists. The artists created designs that featured clever slogans and unusual styles, though the art did not necessarily relate to the products inside. Illustrations might portray bathing beauties, historic events, landscapes, animals, or the grower’s family.

The Summer Harvest Forever stamps will be issued in booklets of 20. Working with an early concept developed by former art director Richard Sheaff, Antonio Alcalá art directed these stamps. Michael Doret was a designer and artist.

🌽🍉 Summer Harvest Forever Stamps – Celebrating America’s Produce

Issued on July 11, 2015 in Sacramento, California, the Summer Harvest Stamps honor the bounty of American summer crops with designs inspired by vintage produce advertising.

📌 Key Features

• 📅 Issue Date: July 11, 2015

• 💵 Value: Forever (First‑Class Mail, 1 oz.) – always valid for current postage rates

• 🎨 Designs:

  • Four stylized labels featuring:

    1. 🍉 Watermelon

    2. 🌽 Sweet corn

    3. 🍈 Cantaloupe

    4. 🍅 Tomatoes

  • Color palette: red, black, green, and yellow‑orange

  • “Forever” banner centered at the bottom; “USA” to the right

• 👨‍🎨 Art Direction: Antonio Alcalá

• 👨‍🎨 Designer/Artist: Michael Doret

• 📦 Format (Store Listing):

  • 5 books of 20 = 100 stamps per pack

  • Price: $78.00 → discounted to $69.00

• 🖨️ Printing: Pressure‑sensitive adhesive (PSA) booklet of 20

• 🚚 Shipping: Free express shipping; estimated delivery Nov 20–27, 2025

🌄 Historical & Artistic Context

• Inspired by 19th‑ and early 20th‑century crate labels, seed packets, and catalogs.

• After railroads linked East and West Coasts in the 1870s, growers used distinctive crate labels to market produce nationwide.

• Designs often included slogans, landscapes, animals, or portraits, not always related to the product itself.

• The Summer Harvest stamps echo this tradition, blending nostalgia with modern design.

🎉 Suitable Occasions

• ✉️ Seasonal mailings – perfect for summer cards and invitations.

• 🎂 Farmers’ market promotions – adds authenticity to local produce events.

• 🏫 Educational mailings – schools or clubs teaching agricultural history.

• ✨ Collectors – admired for their vintage‑inspired artistry.

🌟 Symbolism & Appeal

The Summer Harvest Forever Stamps embody themes of abundance, tradition, and Americana, making them both practical for mailing and delightful for collecting. Their nostalgic design connects everyday correspondence with the history of American agriculture.

Shipping Info

The Forever Stamp Store® ships all in-stock orders with First-Class Mail Tracking® service. Please allow 4-6 business days (preparation time not included) for in-stock items to be shipped with Default Shipping or 1-2 business days for in-stock orders to be shipped with Priority Mail Express® service.

It normally takes 1 business day for us to process your order. Forever Stamp Store® products are all new, and products are rigorously inspected before being shipped. If there is any damage during the shipping process, please contact us promptly for replacement.