Fast spreading Internet rumors that the U.S. Postal Service plans to discontinue its Black Heritage stamp series and destroy all remaining inventories of the stamps are totally untrue, according to Postal Service authorities.
"This rumor is totally false," said Executive Director of Stamp Services David Failor in a USPS press release. "In fact, on Jan. 20, we issued the Paul Robeson commemorative stamp, the 27th in our popular Black Heritage series."
Currently, two Black Heritage series stamps are available - Paul Robeson and Thurgood Marshall. "If a local Post Office has sold out of these stamps and hasn't had a chance to reorder, customers can easily and quickly order the Black Heritage series stamps online at The Postal Store or by phone at 800-STAMP24," added Failor.
Facts about the Black Heritage series:
The Black Heritage stamp series is one of the most popular of the Postal Service's U.S. commemorative stamp series. As a result of customer demand for the stamps, the Postal Service recently began producing a higher-than-average quantity.It is not the policy of the Postal Service to destroy stamps while they remain available for sale. Generally, commemorative stamps are available for sale for about a year after they are issued.The Black Heritage series began in 1978 with a stamp honoring American abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Each fall, the honoree for the following year is announced.[Source: US Postal Service]
