# 5891-95c - 2024 First-Class Forever Stamps - Imperforate Horses

US #5891-95c
2024 Horses (Imperforate)

• Issued to honor the many jobs horses have done for us over the years and their continued importance to society

Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: 68¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: June 17, 2024
First Day City: St. Joseph, Missouri
Quantity Issued: 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: Offset
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor, Block Tag

Why the stamps were issued: To commemorate America’s longtime use of horses to help us in fields such as law enforcement, forestry, entertainment, therapy, ranching, and more.

About the stamp designs: Includes five designs picturing photographs of different horses in profile by Stephanie Moon and Karen Wegehenkel.

First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held at the Patee House Museum in St. Joseph, Missouri, before the start of the 164th Pony Express Re-Ride event (a 1,966-mile trek from St. Joseph to Sacramento, California).

History the stamp represents: Horses have helped us build our civilizations for thousands of years. They have transported us from place to place, entertained us, helped us heal from physical and mental injuries, supported the men and women who keep us safe, and more. In 2024, the US Postal Service issued five Forever stamps commemorating horses and the many jobs they still do for us.

Today, there are over 300 horse breeds in the world, each bred for a different purpose. These breeds are generally divided into three categories: “hot bloods,” “cold bloods,” and “warmbloods.” Hot bloods tend to have smaller frames and more delicate limbs as they are bred with speed and endurance in mind. Thoroughbreds and American Quarter Horses are two examples of hot bloods. Cold bloods tend to be stockier and stronger as they are intended to pull heavy loads and perform at slower speeds. Draft horses are cold bloods. Warmbloods are created by crossing a hot blood with a cold blood.

While there are some tasks best suited to hot or cold bloods, in general they can be used interchangeably. For example, when choosing horses for police work, an American Quarter Horse might be a better fit for moving quickly through the streets, while a draft horse like a Percheron might be better for crowd control. And, since warmbloods fall somewhere in between, they are often a great compromise between brute strength and refined athleticism.

At the end of the day, we owe a lot to horses. They helped build this country and continue to help it prosper today. They are beloved companions and valued coworkers without whom certain jobs would be more difficult or even impossible.