2018 First-Class Forever Stamp,Bioluminescent Life: Octopus
# 5264 - 2018 First-Class Forever Stamp - Bioluminescent Life: Octopus
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5264 - 2018 First-Class Forever Stamp - Bioluminescent Life: Octopus
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US #5264
2018 Octopus – Bioluminescent Life
- Pictures a bioluminescent deep ocean octopus
- One of 10 stamps showcasing the wonders of bioluminescence in nature
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Bioluminescent Life
Value: 50¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: February 22, 2018
First Day City: Fort Pierce, Florida
Quantity Issued: 40,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor tagged paper, block tag
Other: These stamps are highly reflective with a rainbow holographic-style effect
Why the stamp was issued: To celebrate different organisms capable of generating their own light (bioluminescent).
About the stamp design: Pictures an existing photograph of a bioluminescent deep ocean octopus taken by Dr. Edith Widder.
Rainbow reflectivity: According to the USPS, these stamps were “produced using a proprietary rainbow holograph material that is highly reflective in white light. The stamps were produced using special techniques to enhance the reflective qualities of the material while maintaining the depth of color and detail of the individual images. The rainbow pattern imparts a sense of movement and light to the stamp pane.”
About the Bioluminescent Life set: Includes 10 designs picturing existing photographs of bioluminescent organisms taken by Dr. Edith Widder, Taylor F. Lockwood, Gail Shumway, and Steve Haddock. The creatures pictured are: deep ocean octopus, midwater jellyfish, deep sea comb jelly, mushroom, firefly, bamboo coral, marine worm, crown jellyfish, a different marine worm, and a sea pen.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at Sunrise Theater in Fort Pierce, Florida, not far from the Ocean Research and Conservation Association headquarters (ORCA). The organization’s CEO and Senior Scientist, Dr. Edith Widder, provided photographs for seven of the stamps images and was also in attendance at the First Day of Issue Ceremony.
History the stamp represents: Deep below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean, a small species of octopus lights up the dark water with its twinkling array of arms.
The glowing sucker octopus is one of just a few bioluminescent species of octopus. Each of the creature’s arms are different lengths, with the largest measuring up to 14 inches. These arms join together with a small body resembling an umbrella.
Each arm contains about 60 adhesive suckers of various sizes. However, each arm has a row of about 40 suckers with photophores (organs that emit light) instead of muscle cells. They are all different sizes and illuminate in different ways. Some of these photophores produce a continuous but faint light for up to five minutes. Others emit much brighter lights that go off and on in a cyclical pattern, making them appear to twinkle.
Scientists are not sure why the glowing sucker octopus is bioluminescent. They believe it is used for defense or to lure in prey. Some say it may be a part of their mating process, but this has not been verified.
Even though the glowing sucker octopus was first discovered in 1997, scientists still have many unanswered questions. One thing we do know is that it holds the Guinness World Record for “most bioluminescent octopus.”
US #5264
2018 Octopus – Bioluminescent Life
- Pictures a bioluminescent deep ocean octopus
- One of 10 stamps showcasing the wonders of bioluminescence in nature
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Bioluminescent Life
Value: 50¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: February 22, 2018
First Day City: Fort Pierce, Florida
Quantity Issued: 40,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor tagged paper, block tag
Other: These stamps are highly reflective with a rainbow holographic-style effect
Why the stamp was issued: To celebrate different organisms capable of generating their own light (bioluminescent).
About the stamp design: Pictures an existing photograph of a bioluminescent deep ocean octopus taken by Dr. Edith Widder.
Rainbow reflectivity: According to the USPS, these stamps were “produced using a proprietary rainbow holograph material that is highly reflective in white light. The stamps were produced using special techniques to enhance the reflective qualities of the material while maintaining the depth of color and detail of the individual images. The rainbow pattern imparts a sense of movement and light to the stamp pane.”
About the Bioluminescent Life set: Includes 10 designs picturing existing photographs of bioluminescent organisms taken by Dr. Edith Widder, Taylor F. Lockwood, Gail Shumway, and Steve Haddock. The creatures pictured are: deep ocean octopus, midwater jellyfish, deep sea comb jelly, mushroom, firefly, bamboo coral, marine worm, crown jellyfish, a different marine worm, and a sea pen.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at Sunrise Theater in Fort Pierce, Florida, not far from the Ocean Research and Conservation Association headquarters (ORCA). The organization’s CEO and Senior Scientist, Dr. Edith Widder, provided photographs for seven of the stamps images and was also in attendance at the First Day of Issue Ceremony.
History the stamp represents: Deep below the surface of the North Atlantic Ocean, a small species of octopus lights up the dark water with its twinkling array of arms.
The glowing sucker octopus is one of just a few bioluminescent species of octopus. Each of the creature’s arms are different lengths, with the largest measuring up to 14 inches. These arms join together with a small body resembling an umbrella.
Each arm contains about 60 adhesive suckers of various sizes. However, each arm has a row of about 40 suckers with photophores (organs that emit light) instead of muscle cells. They are all different sizes and illuminate in different ways. Some of these photophores produce a continuous but faint light for up to five minutes. Others emit much brighter lights that go off and on in a cyclical pattern, making them appear to twinkle.
Scientists are not sure why the glowing sucker octopus is bioluminescent. They believe it is used for defense or to lure in prey. Some say it may be a part of their mating process, but this has not been verified.
Even though the glowing sucker octopus was first discovered in 1997, scientists still have many unanswered questions. One thing we do know is that it holds the Guinness World Record for “most bioluminescent octopus.”