This stamp commemorates 200th anniversary of Star-Spangled Banner. The stamp’s image is from a photo of flag that flies over Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. It was taken during fireworks display at annual Defenders’ Day celebration.
 
During the War of 1812, Mary Pickersgill was commissioned to sew a flag “so large that the British will have no difficulty seeing it from a distance.” The flag was to fly over Baltimore’s Fort McHenry, which the British hoped to capture.
 
Pickersgill was asked to make “one American ensign, 30x42 feet, first quality bunting.” A smaller flag of lighter materials was also ordered for use during bad weather. Over 400 yards of wool bunting was needed to construct the larger flag, which weighed about 50 pounds. Because of its size, the work was done on the floor of a nearby brewery after the business had closed for the day.
 
The British began bombarding Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814. Francis Scott Key witnessed the 25-hour assault from a ship in Chesapeake Bay. Because it was raining heavily, Key likely saw the smaller flag at “twilight’s last gleaming.” But as morning neared, the oversized flag was defiantly hoisted above Fort McHenry. The sight inspired Key to write lyrics about the “star-spangled banner.”
 
If not for fate, the Battle of Fort McHenry would have had a more explosive ending. Only the fort’s commander knew that its gunpowder magazine, over which some 2,000 shells fell, was not bombproof. A direct hit would have destroyed the fort instantly.

These Forever®stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class MailR one-ounce rate.

Made in the USA.


Product Specs：
Issue: The Star-Spangled Banner Stamp
Item Number: 689000
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 28, 2014, Independence, MO 64050
Designer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Art Director: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Typographer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Existing Photo: Gary Clark
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset/Microprint “USPS”
Engraver: N/A
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Mueller Martini, A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 1 billion stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored, Type II
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
Booklet Size (w x h): 5.52 x 1.96 in./140.21 x 49.78 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Plate Size: 1,040 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Front: Header: “The Star-Spangled Banner” Twenty First-Class Forever® Stamps 
• © 2013 • USPS in peel strip area • Plate numbers in peel strip area • Barcode (015645689008)


Shipping Information:

Shipping Method: USPS First Class & USPS Priority Mail.

Handling time: Usually around 2~3 business days.

Delivery time: Usually around 3-5 business days.

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