2024 Betty Ford Forever Stamps
2024 Betty Ford
• Honors First Lady Betty Ford
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: First Class Mail (Forever)
First Day of Issue: April 5, 2024
First Day City: Rancho Mirage, California
Quantity Issued: 12,000,000
Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Phosphor, Block Tag
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the legacy of First Lady Betty Ford, her support for women’s rights, and her other contributions to America in her lifetime.
About the stamp design: Pictures part of the official 1977 White House portrait of Betty Ford by Felix de Cossio. Oil on canvas painting of Ford in a pale blue chiffon dress.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in the Annenberg Health Sciences Building at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, California. Rancho Mirage is the location of the Betty Ford Center, a drug and alcohol rehab facility co-founded by Betty Ford.
History the stamp represents: Betty Ford was a champion of women’s rights, breast cancer awareness, and substance abuse treatment advocate. She was also first lady to the 38th president of the United States.
Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Bloomer was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 8, 1918. She became interested in dance at a young age and went so far as to study under the great Martha Graham when she was older. When Betty was just 16 years old, her father died, leaving her mother to become the family’s sole breadwinner. It was around this time that Betty became a women’s rights advocate.
After Betty’s first marriage ended, she met lawyer and World War II veteran, Gerald Ford Jr. They quickly fell in love and married on October 15, 1948. Betty became Ford’s number one supporter during his political career – first in the House of Representatives, then as vice president, and finally as president.
As first lady, Betty supported the Equal Rights Amendment and other worthy causes. When Ford ran during the 1976 election, she was so influential that campaign buttons encouraged people to “Vote for Betty’s Husband.” Ford ultimately lost reelection, but Betty stayed busy. In 1982, she opened the nonprofit rehab facility, Betty Ford Center, a testament to her life’s goal of helping as many people as she could.
Frequently Asked Questions
How it works?
A Forever® stamp is for sending domestic mail weighing up to 1 oz via First-Class Mail®.
Purpose: Send letters and cards up to 1 oz (approximately 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope)
within the U.S., including U.S. territories and military bases overseas.
Value: Always valid for the First-Class Mail 1 oz rate, even if postage rates increase. Visit First-Class Mail and Postage to view
current rates.
Other Uses: Pair this stamp’s value with other postage to meet mailing costs when additional postage is required.
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail.
Why is "FOREVER" crossed out in the image?
So the lines in your picture:
- It does not mean that the stamp has expired;
- It does not mean that you cannot continue to use it;
- Nor a postmark;
- It's just an artificial anti-copying line added to the display image.
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
What are the common types of stamps, and how do they differ?
- Forever Stamp: Valid for standard domestic letters within the U.S. These stamps typically do not bear a fixed face value; they remain valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter at the current rate, even if postage prices increase in the future.
- Global Forever Stamp: Primarily used for standard international letters or postcards sent from the U.S. to other countries. The main difference between this and a standard Forever Stamp lies in its scope of use and postage value.
- Postcard Stamp: Designed specifically for domestic postcards that meet USPS size standards; the postage rate is typically lower than that for standard letters.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: Used to cover the cost of weight exceeding the first ounce; these are usually used in conjunction with a Forever Stamp or other stamps.
- Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce Stamps: Suitable for heavier letters, greeting cards, wedding invitations, or multi-page documents, eliminating the need to combine multiple stamps to cover the required postage.
- Fixed-Value Stamps: These stamps display a specific monetary value (e.g., 1¢, 5¢, or other amounts) and are primarily used to make up postage differences or in combination with other stamps.
- Commemorative and Thematic Stamps: Typically issued to mark historical events, cultural or artistic themes, holidays, notable figures, animals, or natural landscapes. While suitable for regular mail, these stamps are also popular among collectors due to their unique designs and limited release periods.
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
Why choose StampResale.com?
- At StampResale, you will find a diverse range of U.S. stamps—including classic Forever Stamps, holiday-themed issues, commemorative stamps, and specialty collections—catering to needs ranging from everyday mailing and gift-giving to serious collecting.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
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