U.S. # 4762
2013 46¢ Aster
Vintage Seed Packets

While they need plenty of sun, asters thrive in climates where the summers are cool and moist, especially during the evening. In particularly warm regions, mulching the root systems with grass clippings or peat moss allows asters to flourish. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the starry-shaped blossoms, which r...  more

U.S. # 4762
2013 46¢ Aster
Vintage Seed Packets

While they need plenty of sun, asters thrive in climates where the summers are cool and moist, especially during the evening. In particularly warm regions, mulching the root systems with grass clippings or peat moss allows asters to flourish. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the starry-shaped blossoms, which retain their beauty long after many garden flowers have faded away. The most common asters grow to around one foot tall, but some varieties can exceed eight feet in height. The shorter types brighten rock gardens and borders, while the taller varieties make interesting focal points in wildflower gardens.

Vintage seed packets have grown in popularity over the years.  Some people collect them – searching for packets in mint condition, from specific companies or with certain types of illustrations.  Their fine artwork is also popular among decorators who frame them for a rustic look.  They’re even used by scientists and historians to study these plants’ evolution. 

U.S. Postal Service art director Antonio Alcala designed the Vintage Seed Packet stamps.  He based these designs on photographs from 1910s and 1920s seed packets.  The image for the aster stamp was based on a seed packed produced for the William D. Burt Seed Co. of New York.

Value: 46¢ First-Class letter rate
Issued:  April 5, 2013
First Day City:  Oaks, PA – Philadelphia Stamp Exhibition
Type of Stamp: Definitive
Printed by: Avery Dennison
Method: Photogravure printing in double-sided panes of 20 (convertible booklet format)
Perforation: Die Cut 10 ¾
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 40,000,000 stamps

Though not an established series, flowers have long been a popular subject for U.S. stamps.  One of the earliest issues to feature a flower as a prominent design subject was U.S. #977, honoring Moina Michael, the founder of Poppy Day.