2020 Grand Island Ice Caves Express Mail Stamps
2020 Grand Island Ice Caves – American Landmarks Series
• Pictures the ice caves found on the banks of Lake Superior during the winter
• Continues the popular American Landmarks Series
Stamp Category: Definitive
Series: American Landmarks
Value: $26.35 Express Mail Rate
First Day of Issue: January 18, 2020
First Day City: Munising, Michigan
Quantity Issued: 1,260,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Panes of 4
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Why the stamp was issued: To celebrate the natural beauty of Grand Island Ice Caves on Lake Superior.
About the stamp design: Pictures a digital illustration of an ice cave looking out onto Lake Superior at sunset. Original artwork by Dan Cosgrove.
First Day City: There was no national First Day of Issue Ceremony for the stamp. The First Day of Issue Cancellation was from Munising, Michigan, a town near Grand Island on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
About the American Landmarks Series: The American Landmarks Series of Priority and Express Mail stamps began with the issue of the $4.80 Mount Rushmore (US #4268) and $16.50 Hoover Dam (US #4269) stamps in 2008. Since then, two new stamps have been released nearly every year (with a few exceptions). All picture vibrant images of some of the most iconic places in America created by digital artist Dan Cosgrove. Altogether, they resemble a virtual tour of America.
History the stamp represents: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to some of the most beautiful sights in the state. Rugged sandstone cliffs along the shoreline of Lake Superior are shaped by groundwater filtering through cracks in the rock. During winter, this water freezes and creates breathtaking displays called ice caves.
There are many areas Lake Superior where ice caves can be found, but some of the most impressive are on Grand Island. To get to these, visitors first have to go to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Then, they have to take a cold and windy mile-long hike across the frozen Lake Superior to get to Grand Island. Since lake ice is unpredictable, visitors must carefully check conditions before attempting the crossing. Sometimes, getting to Grand Island is completely impossible.
When the ice is thick enough to reach Grand Island, the frigid hike to get there is worth it. The ice formations there can be up to 80 feet tall in some places. To get inside a cave, visitors have to have a certain amount of luck. Because of the nature of the freeze-thaw cycle, formations may change from week to week. You have to be there at just the right time to be able to get inside one of the caves, or there may be no entry points into the ice. If you are, you will be treated to stunning blue and white ice walls that you will not find anywhere else.
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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