Tropical Paradise of Hagåtña Bay on New Stamped Cards

Located approximately 1,600 miles east of the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean, Guam is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands. Approximately 212 square miles in size—roughly three times the area of Washington, D.C.—Guam is home to a population of approximately 158,000 people, including native Guamanians, known as Chamorro, as well as others of European and Asian descent.

Like the other Mariana Islands, Guam was settled prior to 1500 B.C. Claimed by Spain in 1565, the island remained a Spanish outpost until 1898, when it was ceded to the United States after the Spanish-American War. Occupied by Japan during World War II, Guam was recaptured by the United States in 1944 and became the site of an important U.S. military base. In 1950, Guam officially became a U.S. territory.

The stamp issued in 2007 features a photograph by Michael S. Yamashita of a sunset at Hagåtña Bay in Hagåtña, the capital of Guam. The capital was known as Agana until 2002, when it was officially changed back to its pre-World War II name. Today the island is a popular destination for tourists, with some 1.5 million people visiting the island annually to enjoy its natural beauty.

This picturesque stamp image of Hagåtña Bay is one of ten designs featured on the upcoming set of Scenic American Landscapes stamped cards. Scheduled for release on June 23 at the National Topical Stamp Show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, these cards are the second set highlighting some of our nation’s most beautiful natural places.

High Peaks of the Grand Tetons on New Stamped Cards

Originally established in 1929 to protect part of the Teton Range and lakes near its base, Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming was expanded in 1950 to include much of the adjacent Jackson Hole valley.

Now encompassing nearly 310,000 acres, Grand Teton National Park is characterized by the majesty of its rugged mountains that tower some 7,000 feet over glacial lakes and a valley, through which runs the Snake River.

Renowned for its climbing and hiking trails, the park receives most of its nearly 2.5 million recreational visitors a year in the warm summer months, many of whom marvel at the park’s wildlife. Diverse habitats within the park create opportunities to view moose, elk, bison, pronghorn, black and grizzly bears, and hundreds of species of birds, including bald eagles, ospreys, and trumpeter swans, the largest waterfowl in North America.

Other popular park activities include boating, biking, horseback riding, and fishing, and in the serene winters, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

This breathtaking stamp image of Grand Teton National Park is one of 10 designs featured on the upcoming set of Scenic American Landscapes stamp cards. Scheduled for release on June 23 during the National Topical Stamp Show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, these cards are the second set highlighting some of our nation’s most beautiful natural places.

Picturesque Lancaster County on New Stamped Cards

Settlers seeking land and religious freedom flocked to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, even before its official establishment in 1729. Among the settlers were the Amish and Mennonites, Protestant sects from Germany and Switzerland, who have become synonymous with Lancaster County. Because of their strict adherence to Biblical scripture and their belief in a community-centered life, the Old Order Amish in particular created a separate and distinct culture that has endured, largely unchanged, for centuries.

Tourism is among the most profitable enterprises of Lancaster County. Horse-drawn buggies, picture-perfect farmhouses, and villages with evocative names like Bird-in-Hand and Blue Ball draw visitors from around the world; the county is also blessed with a natural beauty and an enviable historical heritage. Scores of perfectly preserved 18th- and 19th-century buildings grace the area’s small towns. Beautiful parks, rivers, wildflower glens and woodlands beckon nature lovers, hikers, bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. A ride down tranquil country roads leads past pristine farms, cultivated fields surrounded by flower gardens, historic churches, and quaint covered bridges. Famous for its antiques markets and country auctions, the county is also home to a thriving arts and crafts community.

Fertile land makes Lancaster County one of the most productive non-irrigated agricultural counties in the United States. It is home to more than 5,000 farms, the majority of them family-owned for generations. Roadside stands and farmer’s markets greet residents and visitors alike with a feast of fresh produce and Pennsylvania Dutch favorites like shoofly pie and chow chow relish.

This picturesque stamp image of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is one of ten designs featured on the upcoming set of Scenic American Landscapes stamped cards. Scheduled for release on June 23 at the National Topical Stamp Show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, these stamped cards are the second set highlighting some of our nation’s most beautiful natural places.

Beautiful Southern Swamp Coming to New Postcards

Issued in 2007 at the international rate as part of the Scenic American Landscapes series, Okefenokee Swamp encompasses nearly 700 square miles in southeastern Georgia and a small portion of northern Florida. The Okefenokee Swamp serves as the headwaters for the Suwannee and Saint Marys Rivers and is home to a wide range of animal and plant life, from alligators, cranes, and black bears to cypress trees and carnivorous plants.

This area, which derives its name from a Native American term meaning “land of the trembling earth,” includes the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, which comprises approximately 90 percent of the swamp, as well as Okefenokee Swamp Park.

This soothing stamp image of Okefenokee Swamp is one of 10 designs featured on the upcoming set of Scenic American Landscapes stamp cards. Scheduled for release on June 23, these beautiful postcards are the second set highlighting some of our nation’s most beautiful natural places.

Voyageurs National Park on Stunning New Cards

A new set of Scenic American Landscapes stamped notecards will be released on June 23, featuring 10 spectacular landscapes based on previously issued stamp designs in the Scenic American Landscapes series. This set of premium notecards will include the image from the 2011 Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, international rate stamp.

Established on April 8, 1975, Voyageurs National Park includes four lakes connected by waterways, more than 500 islands, a strip of mainland shore, and 26 smaller inland lakes, most of them located on Kabetogama Peninsula, the park’s largest landmass. More than one-third of the 218,054-acre park is water.

The park was named for the voyageurs, French Canadians legendary for their canoe trips for fur trading companies in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Fifty-five miles of the park’s northern boundary was a portion of the voyageurs’ historic route.

The park’s rock formations, many more than 2.5 billion years old, are some of the oldest exposed rock in the world. A combination of habitats supports a wealthy diversity of life, including approximately 700 species of flora, more than 240 species of birds, and 53 species of fish. Fifty-three miles of trails for hiking, 32 miles of trails for cross-country skiing, and 110 miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling complement this spectacular array of wildlife.

While most of the waterways are frozen from mid-November until late-April, almost 250,000 people visit the park annually.

The first issuance of Scenic American Landscapes stamped cards included images from Acadia National Park, Badlands National Park, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Mt. McKinley, Mt. Rainier, St. John Island, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park. The stunning cards are still available!

Stay tuned for more information on pre-ordering the second set of breathtaking notecards!