# 4740a - 2013 Global Forever Stamp - Earth

U.S. # 4740a
2013 $1.10 Global Forever Imperforate

International Rate

Since the Earth was formed over 4.5 billion years ago, it has undergone several transformations that have allowed life to thrive.  As humans emerged in all areas of the globe, each civilization formed its own ideas about mother earth.

It is no coincidence that the phrase “mother earth” is so widespread today.  Several early civilizations saw the earth as a goddess.  To the Aztecs, she was Tonantzin, “our mother;” to the Incas, Pachamama; to the Chinese, Hou Tu; and to the Greeks, Gaia.  One culture that differed from the others was the Egyptians, who depicted the planet as a male, Geb.

Earth has the distinction of being the only planet in our Solar System not named directly after a Roman deity.  The word “earth” comes from the eighth century Anglo-Saxon word erda, meaning ground or soil.  This word originates from Jörð, the giantess mother of Thor in Norse mythology.  In Latin, Jörð’s name is Terra Mater, the Roman goddess of Mother Earth.

Today, as science and technology advance, knowledge of our planet is ever-changing.  We now know the earth is not a perfect sphere.  Melting glaciers push water toward the equator, which is stretched by gravity.  The moon’s gravitational pull on the earth is also slowing the planet’s rotation, which increases the length of our days by 1.7 milliseconds every century.

The 2013 Global Forever stamp was designed by Greg Breeding using artwork by Italian artist Leonello Calvetti.  Calvetti created this dramatic image with satellite images and 3-D computer technology.    

Value: $1.10 First-Class International 1-ounce rate

Issued:  January 28, 2013

First Day City:  New York, NY

Type of Stamp: Definitive
Printed by: Avery Dennison
Method: Photogravure printing in sheets of 80, with 4 panes of 20
Perforation: Imperforate

Self-Adhesive

This stamp was the first in a series of Global Forever Stamps.  It also marked a change in letters rates to Canada and Mexico.  Previously, the rate to mail letters to those nations was lower than the rest.  But with this stamp going forward, the same stamp could be used to send mail to any country in the world.

Scarce Modern Imperforates

The modern imperforate stamps are one of the hottest stories around.  In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service released some issues as press sheets.  The sheets with die cut perforations were issued in limited quantities. 

To the surprise of many collectors, officials then issued a small number of press sheets without perforations.  The uncut sheets were only available in Kansas City, Missouri, yet most sold out immediately.  In an instant, the imperforate stamp sheets became modern rarities.  For example, only 75,000 Baseball All-Star se-tenant sheets were issued compared to 118,000 Bugs Bunny sheets with the 10th stamp imperforate.

In a controversial move, the editors of Scott Catalogue announced they would not list or give numbers to these stamps because they did not fit Scott guidelines.  This decision was strongly debated since the imperforate stamps are valid for postage.   They eventually decided to give the stamps minor numbers and have continued issuing imperforates in the years since.

Because they were issued in such limited quantities, these scarce modern imperforates can be difficult to find.  Luckily Mystic purchased a small number of each imperforate stamp issued so you can add these modern rarities to your collection.  Be one of the lucky few – order today.