# 2543 - 1993 $2.90 Space Shuttle, Priority Mail
US #2543
1993 Space Vehicle
- Second Priority Mail stamp with space theme
- Replaced a 1991 stamp with Olympic rings
Stamp Category: Priority mail
Value: $2.90, Priority Mail rate
First Day of Issue: June 3, 1993
First Day City: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Quantity Issued: 140,000,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Photogravure
Format: Panes of 40
Perforations: 11 x 10 ¾
Why the stamp was issued: This Priority Mail stamp replaced the 1991 stamp picturing an eagle and Olympic rings. When the US Postal Service no longer sponsored the Olympics, it became necessary to replace the stamp.
About the stamp design: Ken Hodges, an artist who specializes in space, was asked by the US Postal Service to create an imaginary space scene set in the future. His similar work is seen on the Future Mail Transportation set of stamps. Hodges submitted four paintings. The one chosen shows his imagined spacecraft flying over a planet. Another planet can be seen in the background. When the stamp was issued, the scene received criticism because of its scientific inaccuracies. Others defended the design as a fun way to think about the future of space travel.
About the printing process: The stamp was printed in semi-jumbo size.
First Day City: The Priority Mail stamp was dedicated at the visitors’ center at the Kennedy Space Center.
US #2543
1993 Space Vehicle
- Second Priority Mail stamp with space theme
- Replaced a 1991 stamp with Olympic rings
Stamp Category: Priority mail
Value: $2.90, Priority Mail rate
First Day of Issue: June 3, 1993
First Day City: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Quantity Issued: 140,000,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Photogravure
Format: Panes of 40
Perforations: 11 x 10 ¾
Why the stamp was issued: This Priority Mail stamp replaced the 1991 stamp picturing an eagle and Olympic rings. When the US Postal Service no longer sponsored the Olympics, it became necessary to replace the stamp.
About the stamp design: Ken Hodges, an artist who specializes in space, was asked by the US Postal Service to create an imaginary space scene set in the future. His similar work is seen on the Future Mail Transportation set of stamps. Hodges submitted four paintings. The one chosen shows his imagined spacecraft flying over a planet. Another planet can be seen in the background. When the stamp was issued, the scene received criticism because of its scientific inaccuracies. Others defended the design as a fun way to think about the future of space travel.
About the printing process: The stamp was printed in semi-jumbo size.
First Day City: The Priority Mail stamp was dedicated at the visitors’ center at the Kennedy Space Center.