# 5758-62c - 2023 First-Class Forever Stamps - Imperforate Historic Railroad Stations

Category of Stamp:  Commemorative

Value:  First-Class Mail Rate (Forever)

First Day of Issue: March 9, 2023

First Day City(s):  Cincinnati, OH

Quantity Issued (if known):  30,000,000 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps.  The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)

Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America

Printing Method/Format:  Offset, Flexographic, Panes of 20 Self-Adhesive stamps

 

Reason the stamp was issued:  Train stations have long been gateways to exciting journeys, business travel and even mail transportation at one time. The Postal Service celebrates the history, nostalgia and romance of train travel with its Railroad Stations Forever stamps.

 

About the stamp design:  Digital illustrations, typography, and overall design by Down the Street Designs. Down the Street is a creative studio based in Los Angeles that specializes in illustration and animation. Art Direction by Derry Noyes.

 

Special design details:  The designs for each station in the set were illustrated digitally, combining rich color with digital textures that amplify the architecture of the stations.

 

About the printing process:  Flexographic Printing refers to a high-speed printing process capable of speeds up to 2000 linear feet per minute. A flexible plate is wrapped around a rotating cylinder for each color in the process, and the raised areas of the plate are inked.

 

First Day City:  The first-day ceremony was held in Cincinnati, Ohio, at the Cincinnati Union Terminal. It’s awe-inspiring art deco style of architecture is featured on a stamp in the set. Train service to Union Station ended in 1972, but it was later renovated in 1990 as the Cincinnati Museum Center. Amtrack went on to restore passenger rail service there in 1991.

 

About the Historic Railroad Stations set:  There are 5 different railroad stations depicted in the set: the Tamaqua Station in Pennsylvania; the Point of Rocks Station in Maryland; Main Street Station in Virginia; Santa Fe Station in California; and Union Terminal in Ohio. All stations pictured, except for the Tamaqua, PA station are currently in use for passenger service. And, all five stations are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

 

History the stamp represents:  In the 1800s and 1900s, railroads emerged as a transformative force in the United States. They fueled economic expansion and industrialization, connecting cities, towns, and rural areas. Railroads efficiently transported goods and raw materials, stimulating industries and boosting the nation's prosperity. Beyond economics, railroads united the country, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and ideas. They created a national market and forged a sense of American identity.

 

The western frontier experienced profound transformation due to railroads. The completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 opened up vast territories for settlement and resource extraction. Pioneers and fortune seekers flocked to the West, drawn by the promise of opportunity. Railroads revolutionized transportation and travel, shortening journey times from months to days. They enabled tourism and cultural exchange, bringing diverse communities closer together.

 

And so, the railroads weaved their way into the nation's narrative, leaving a permanent mark on its history. They propelled economic growth, fueled territorial expansion, and forged a sense of unity among diverse communities. Their significance extended far beyond the tracks they laid, resonating in the hearts and minds of a nation forever transformed. As the wheels rolled on, carrying the hopes and dreams of a nation, the railroads etched their story into the tapestry of the United States...