2024 "Love" Forever Stamps
2024 Love – Love Series
• Pictures one of the most well-known symbols of love – a white dove
• 2024 addition to the popular Love stamp series
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Series: Love
Value: First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: January 12, 2024
First Day City: Romance, Arkansas
Quantity Issued: 200,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Panes of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag Applied
Why the stamp was issued: To continue the popular tradition of issuing Love stamps at the beginning of the year.
About the stamp design: The design pictures a digital illustration of a white dove made up of four geometric shapes. The red background and pink envelope represent colors traditionally associated with love. Original artwork by Katie Kirk.
First Day City: There was no headquarters First Day Ceremony for this stamp, but there was a local one in the town of Romance, Arkansas. The post office in Romance is famous for having been the first location to issue the 1990 Love stamp. It’s also popular as a place to receive special postmarks for Valentine’s Day cards and wedding invitations. Some weddings have even been performed on the grounds of the post office!
About the Love Series: Based on the popularity of Christmas stamps, the USPS issued its first Love stamp in 1973. It wasn’t intended to be the start of a series, and, in fact, it wasn’t until 1982 that another Love stamp was issued. Love-themed stamps were issued sporadically over the next few years. The USPS stated that they weren’t intended just for Valentine’s Day mail, but also for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions.
In 1987, the USPS officially declared it a series, and new Love stamps have been issued nearly every year since. Love stamps are on sale longer than most commemorative stamps and are usually printed in greater quantities. They have sometimes been known to go back to press for additional printings if demand is sufficient.
History the stamp represents: Many interesting symbols have come to represent love throughout history. The stories behind these symbols can be fun to explore. For example, why are doves often pictured on Valentine’s Day cards and other messages of affection?
In ancient Greek mythology, the dove was symbolic of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. This may be because doves are known to be quite devoted to their mates. Male doves help the females raise their young and some species are known to mate for life.
However, there is another possible reason why Aphrodite is associated with doves. It’s said she and her son Eros (god of love) were participating in a flower-picking contest. A nymph named Peristera helped Aphrodite win, and Eros turned the nymph into a dove in anger. Aphrodite decided to take care of the dove and make it her sacred bird as a thank you for helping her win the contest.
To this day, pottery and other artwork picturing the goddess of love often show her with doves nearby. Her temples even included statues of the birds. It’s no surprise, then, that doves have becomes symbols of love all on their own.
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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