# 4987a - 2015 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Missing Children
U.S. # 4987
2015 49¢ Imperforate Missing Children
First-Class Mail
Every year families are devastated by the realization that their child has disappeared. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), about 800,000 American children are reported missing each year. Fortunately, most of those children are found as a result of increased awareness, alerting systems, and modern technology.
In 1984, NCMEC was established by Congress as a national response center for information. It partners with corporations to distribute photos of youngsters who have disappeared. Since its founding, the center has helped find over 200,000 children.
The AMBER Alert system also helps locate children. It sends messages through the Emergency Alert System to radio and TV stations, as well as on the traffic-condition signs along many highways.
Newer technology has improved the alerting process. Descriptions and images are posted on the internet, where they travel quickly. Ernie Allen, president of NCMEC, said “Simply the ability to transmit images and information instantly across America and the world has revolutionized the search for children.”
Together, NCMEC and improved technology are making a difference. Statistics show that in recent years more than 99 percent of children reported missing in America have come home alive.
Value: 49¢ 1-ounce first-class letter rate
Issued: May 18, 2015
First Day City: Anaheim, CA
Type of Stamp: Commemorative (Imperforate)
Printed by: Ashton Potter
Method: Offset with microprinting in sheets of 120 with 6 panes of 20 per sheet
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 180,000 stamps
Designed by Ethel Kessler, this stamp features a photograph by Harald Biebel. It pictures a bunch of purple forget-me-nots on one side with a single flower on the other. The forget-me-not is the symbol of both the National and International Missing Children’s Days, which both occur on May 25. Missing Children’s Day was established in 1983 by a presidential proclamation.
This stamp was the second U.S. issue to bring attention to the plight of missing children. The first was U.S. #4031.
U.S. # 4987
2015 49¢ Imperforate Missing Children
First-Class Mail
Every year families are devastated by the realization that their child has disappeared. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), about 800,000 American children are reported missing each year. Fortunately, most of those children are found as a result of increased awareness, alerting systems, and modern technology.
In 1984, NCMEC was established by Congress as a national response center for information. It partners with corporations to distribute photos of youngsters who have disappeared. Since its founding, the center has helped find over 200,000 children.
The AMBER Alert system also helps locate children. It sends messages through the Emergency Alert System to radio and TV stations, as well as on the traffic-condition signs along many highways.
Newer technology has improved the alerting process. Descriptions and images are posted on the internet, where they travel quickly. Ernie Allen, president of NCMEC, said “Simply the ability to transmit images and information instantly across America and the world has revolutionized the search for children.”
Together, NCMEC and improved technology are making a difference. Statistics show that in recent years more than 99 percent of children reported missing in America have come home alive.
Value: 49¢ 1-ounce first-class letter rate
Issued: May 18, 2015
First Day City: Anaheim, CA
Type of Stamp: Commemorative (Imperforate)
Printed by: Ashton Potter
Method: Offset with microprinting in sheets of 120 with 6 panes of 20 per sheet
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 180,000 stamps
Designed by Ethel Kessler, this stamp features a photograph by Harald Biebel. It pictures a bunch of purple forget-me-nots on one side with a single flower on the other. The forget-me-not is the symbol of both the National and International Missing Children’s Days, which both occur on May 25. Missing Children’s Day was established in 1983 by a presidential proclamation.
This stamp was the second U.S. issue to bring attention to the plight of missing children. The first was U.S. #4031.