With these five Bonsai Forever postage stamps, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the beauty of bonsai. The word “bonsai” (China for “plant in a pot”) refers to the art of cultivating plants, usually trees, in trays, pots, or other containers. Favorite bonsai plants include evergreens, maples, and azaleas, but many other trees and shrubs are also suitable.
One of the common styles of bonsai is shown on each of these five stamps. The first stamp depicts a Sierra juniper in a semi-cascade style, in which the tip projects over the pot rim but does not extend below the base. Second is a trident maple in informal upright style, in which the trunk bends slightly to the left or right. The third is a black pine in formal upright style, with the trunk straight and tapering evenly, with symmetrical branches from the base to the apex. Fourth is an azalea plant in multiple-trunk style, with several trunks emerging from one root system. The fifth and final stamp shows a banyan in cascade style, in which the trunk evokes a stream flowing down a mountainside, with the tip extending below the pot’s base.
The plants depicted are roughly 15 to 20 inches tall.
The bonsai collection at the National Arboretum began in 1976 when the Nippon Bonsai Association in Tokyo, Japan, presented the people of the United States with 53 plants as part of the U.S. bicentennial commemoration.
A bonsai master begins with seeds, cuttings, a naturally stunted tree, or a very young tree. Over time, they prune the roots and branches, use wire to shape and train them, and sometimes scrape or peel bark to achieve desired effects. Finally, the plant is watered and repotted when necessary and can live a hundred years or more.
Art director and stamps designer Ethel Kessler worked with artist John D. Dawson on the Bonsai stamps.
Forever stamps will always be equal to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.
How many stamps are in a roll?
At marconisp.com, you can shop roll of stamps with American Flag designs. Here are 100 pieces for each roll of American Flag stamps. This is the standard number for a roll of USPS stamps.
For other Forever stamps selling at marconisp.com, you can get 100 pieces per pack.
Are these real Forever stamps?
Yes. Each stamp selling on marconisp.com is a real USPS Forever stamp. These stamps have been authorized by the United States Postal Service and will always be accepted for the value of a standard First-Class postage stamp, regardless of future price increases. You can trust that the Forever stamps you purchase from marconisp.com are authentic and valid for postage.
How many stamps to mail a letter?
To mail a 1 ounce letter, you only need ONE Forever postage stamp. But if you only have postcard stamps, TWO postcard stamps are required to mail a 1 ounce letter. By the way, ONE postcard stamp is sufficient for mailing a postcard
It’s important to note that the weight of the letter, as well as the dimensions and destination, can affect the number of stamps required. Therefore, it’s recommended to use the USPS postage calculator or consult with a postal clerk for the most accurate postage rates.