2014 Songbirds Forever Stamps
2014 Western Meadowlark – Songbirds
- Pictures a western meadowlark
- One of 10 stamps picturing different species of songbird
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Songbirds
Value: First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue: April 5, 2014
First Day City: Dallas, Texas
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset
Format: Double-sided Booklets of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Overall Tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate the western meadowlark and its unique song.
About the stamp design: Pictures a painting of a western meadowlark perched on a fence post with a morning glory flower growing up the side. Artwork by Robert Giusti. The stamp also includes the species’ common name.
First Day City: In addition to the Dallas, Texas, First Day of Issue city, there was also a First Day of Sale ceremony held at the Philadelphia National Stamp Exposition in Oaks, Pennsylvania. They offered two different pictorial postmarks: one from Oaks and one from nearby Audubon, Pennsylvania. The pictorial cancels were designed by the American First Day Cover Society.
About the Songbirds set: Issued to commemorate the many species of songbirds that call America home and fill the air with the sounds of their unique tunes. Includes 10 different designs, each picturing a different species of songbird and its’ common name: western meadowlark, mountain bluebird, western tanager, painted bunting, Baltimore oriole, evening grosbeak, scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, American goldfinch, and white-throated sparrow. In addition to the birds themselves, the stamps also picture different plants (often found in the birds’ natural habitats) acting as perches. Designs were created from paintings by Robert Giusti.
History the stamp represents: A member of the blackbird family, the western meadowlark is easily identified by its bright-yellow breast marked with a distinctive black “V.” This small, stocky songbird frequents the open grasslands and agricultural fields of the Midwest and Western United States. It ventures into nearby parts of Southern Canada in the summer months and Mexico in the winter.
The western meadowlark is a very common songbird, though it is more easily heard than seen. Its flutelike whistles and warbles compose between 10 and 12 distinct songs that can be heard across the fields. But because this meadowlark both forages for food and builds its nests in the ground, catching a glimpse of the bird in flight is less common than with other songbird species. Its flight time is limited to brief glides or bursts covering short distances. At most, a male will fly for up to three minutes to chase away intruders during the spring breeding season.
According to John Audubon, the western meadowlark was once completely overlooked by explorers, despite its striking appearance, numbers, and range. This earned it the scientific name Sturnella neglecta. Today, the once-unnoticed western meadowlark has been named the state bird of six states, being surpassed by only the northern cardinal.
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.
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- 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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