Amver ship debuts in stamp

Thanks to gCaptain for alerting us of this release from the United States Postal Service July 28, 2011-

The Postal Service salutes the U.S. Merchant Marine by issuing 60 million Forever stamps to set sail through the nation's mail stream starting today.

"The new four-stamp pane that we are issuing today features vessels that have formed an important part of our country's maritime history- clipper ships, auxiliary steamships, Liberty ships and container shps," said Jim Cochrane, vice president, Product Information. "As we dedicate these stamps, we pay homage not only to the ships, but also to the valor of the thousands of dedicated members of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served their country and served it honorably."

Joining Cochrane in dedicating the stamps at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy were David T. Matsuda, administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration, Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr., superintendent, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; and Captain Eric York Wallischeck, chief of staff, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

"The men and women who built and sailed the ships depicted in these four postal stamps have buoyed our prosperity, liberty, and way of life," said Matsuda. "Their sacrifice is worthy of remembrance, as they continue to be an integral part of American's economy and national security."

Drawing upon contemporary lithographs of the 19th century ships and photographs of the 20th century ships, illustrator Dennis Lyall of Norwalk, Conn., created these four stamp designs under the art direction of Carl T. Herrman of North Las Vega, Nev. Text on the back of the stamp pane describes the types of vessels.

U.S. Merchant Marine

Since the founding of the republic, the United States has looked to the maritime industry for much of its growth and security. The U.S. Postal Service honors the U.S. Merchant Marine- the modern name for the maritime fleet- with four stamps featuring vessels that have played an important role in our nation's history.

The Clipper Ship stamp is based on an undated Frank Vining Smith lithography of the famous clipper Sovereign of the Seas, which launched in 1852. Clipper Ships, ushered in by the California Gold Rush of 1849 and noted for their streamlined shape and their majestic cloud of square-rigged sails, set numerous speed records for their time.

The Auxiliary Steamship stamp is based on contemporary lithographs of ships of the Collins Line, which provided service between New York and Liverpool in the 1850s. Auxiliary steamships- steam-powered ships with back-up sailing rigs- were the ocean liners of their day, competing in the 1850s with clipper and other sailing ships for trans-Atlantic mail and passenger service.

The Liberty Ship stamp is based on a photograph of an unidentified Liberty ship in the files of the Westport, Conn., Public Library. During World War II, the United States built more than 2,700 Liberty ships- plain but sturdy cargo vessels that sustained the Allied forces with a steady supply of food and war material.

The Container Ship stamp is based on an undated photograph of the R.J. Pfeiffer, a modern container ship launched in 1992 and operated by Matson Navigation Company. Container ships, pioneered in the 1950s, are key to today's global economy, carrying manufactured goods worldwide across the oceans and exemplifying the modern merchant marine.

Amver

Amver is proud of Matson Navigation and the R.J. Pfeiffer which enrolled in the Amver system in 1992.


Photo credit: U.S. Postal Service