MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii -- After being approved by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service the price of a First-Class stamp will increase to 41 cents along with other postage rates seeing a similar increase May 14.
According to Sgt. Philip H. Cuppernell, custodian of postal effects, Base Post Office, the increase in postage rates are to counteract the costs incurred by shipping.
In addition to the approved increase, the implementation of the new Forever Stamp has been given the green light. The Forever Stamp will be good for mailing one-ounce First-Class letters regardless of any future price changes.
“Forever Stamps have the liberty bell on them and are going to sell at 41 cents when they first come out because that’s what the rates are going to be,” said Cuppernell. “Let’s say you buy 50 of them and a year from now or thirty years from now, no matter what the postage increases to those stamps will still be valid at the First-Class rate. The ones you’ve already bought will count as the current rate.”
Postmaster General John E. Potter said, “The Liberty Bell was selected because it resonates as one of the nation’s most prominent and recognizable symbols associated with American independence.”
Cuppernell believes the Forever Stamps are a good idea and anticipates them to be big sellers. The stamps are slated to go on sale at the post office in mid-April and the 39 cent stamp can still be used.
“We have thousands of two cent stamps,” said Cuppernell. “We stocked up on them and we’re going to keep them so people can use their old stamps and buy two cent stamps instead of buying all new ones.”
Cuppernell encourages those who frequently mail out letters to take advantage of the new Forever Stamps.
According to a statement by Potter, the Forever Stamp will be available in sheets of 18 and booklets of 20 through www.usps.com, by calling (800) STAMP-24, through Post Office vending machines, at Automated Postal Centers and in Post Office lobbies nationwide. Once prices change May 14, the Forever Stamp will remain on sale at the 41-cent First-Class one-ounce letter price until the next price change at which point the stamp will then be available at the new price.