Raven Story, Message Monsters, new USPS stamps and rates
January 19, 2021 4:19 PM   Subscribe

The USPS has announced their lineup of new stamps for 2021. Especially exciting is this stamp, Raven Story, designed by Tlingit artist Rico Lanáat’ Worl, this is thought to be the first time such a design has been illustrated by a Tlingit artist. Inspired by this recent post, Forever Leguin

USPS Letter, postcard and flat increases (no increase in Forever stamps)
USPS Priority Mail box and letter increases effective Jan 24, 2021

Other new designs include Message Monsters, Day of the Dead (the first issued by the U.S. Postal Service to mark this holiday), Mystery Message, Heritage Breeds, Espresso Drinks, Mid-Atlantic Lighthouses....

I wanted to mention the MeFiCard Club, couldn't find a link, but DID find this lovely post from Jan 2019 with lots of other letter writing suggestions.
posted by winesong (26 comments total) 21 users marked this as a favorite
 
This is terrific, so glad to see Tlingit work on a stamp.
posted by aspersioncast at 4:33 PM on January 19, 2021 [3 favorites]


Ravens are so cool, I am supportive of more raven stamps of all types.
posted by Wretch729 at 4:35 PM on January 19, 2021 [3 favorites]


Raven Story is beautiful. I'm also excited about the Ursula LeGuin stamp, mentioned in the previous post. Not that I actually mail anything anymore, but I may need to buy some stamps anyway.
posted by gingerbeer at 4:39 PM on January 19, 2021 [2 favorites]


I love this! I have several Tlingit magnets on my fridge from my visit to Alaska; I really love the art style.
posted by hopeless romantique at 5:04 PM on January 19, 2021


Tlingit art is gorgeous! I’ll have to pick up a few sheets of Raven Story next time I’m at the post office.
posted by kwaller at 5:33 PM on January 19, 2021


These are beautiful and I would have completely not noticed this announcement if not for the FPP.

I can't wait to buy some of these and to mail some letters!
posted by pointystick at 5:56 PM on January 19, 2021


I've never quite understood the Forever stamp, not going up in price more often. I have a roll of 100 from a decade ago, that's quite a bit of 'loss' for the Post Office.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 6:02 PM on January 19, 2021


I have a roll of 100 from a decade ago, that's quite a bit of 'loss' for the Post Office.

Well, they haven't had to do any work for any of your stamps yet, but have had your money for 10 years. They probably count on people losing many of these stamps such that they never get used, which in effect raises the per-stamp cost.
posted by Rumple at 6:14 PM on January 19, 2021 [1 favorite]


Ooh, definitely want to get these. I need to send more mail!
posted by carolr at 6:43 PM on January 19, 2021 [1 favorite]


Amazing artist, super nice. I bought a pack of his Tlingit-language playing cards the last (only) time I was in Juneau.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 7:21 PM on January 19, 2021 [1 favorite]


Great designs! Looking forward to them.

Re: price of forever stamps, 2006’s Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act keeps price increases below inflation, so stamps effectively keep getting cheaper. (Forever stamps were introduced soon after Bush signed the PAEA.)
posted by icebergs at 9:17 PM on January 19, 2021


I've never quite understood the Forever stamp, not going up in price more often. I have a roll of 100 from a decade ago, that's quite a bit of 'loss' for the Post Office.

I think they're rather pleased. From Jan 19, 2011 to Jan 19, 2021, Forever stamps increased from $0.44 to $0.55, and the Dow Jones from 11,825 to 30,931.
posted by aws17576 at 12:48 AM on January 20, 2021 [1 favorite]


I thought the Tlingit were purely my BC homies, cool they are representing in Alaska too. Their art is the very best, and Rico Worl's work is a great example of the style!
posted by Meatbomb at 1:01 AM on January 20, 2021


The Postal Service has featured Northwest Coast art stamps in the past; in 1996, it released a stamp featuring Worl’s clan uncle, Nathan Jackson, performing a Raven dance. However, this is thought to be the first time such a design has been illustrated by a Tlingit artist.
I had no idea Nathan had been on a stamp but then it probably wouldn't even make a list of the top 20 coolest things he's been involved in. We're very proud of him here in his hometown and if you're ever at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian in DC, keep an eye out for his Kaats pole.

In other recent news about Tlingit representation, Google devoted a doodle to Elizabeth Peratrovich last month. (context for those who don't know about Peratrovich -- previously, on the occasion of her being honored on a dollar coin.)
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:22 AM on January 20, 2021 [1 favorite]


Also, hopefully not a derail, but since these kinds of posts often attract a bit of interest in the start and then peter out quickly, I'll post it here and mods can remove if they consider it to be off-topic.

I live in Ketchikan, which is located where the territories of three Alaska Native cultures (Haida, Tsimshian, and Tlingit) meet. Before the pandemic we had a fairly large tourism industry and the local Visitors Bureau commissioned a series of short films to introduce the area to people who were unfamiliar and explain a number of different sides of our community's history.

I know what you're thinking, but unlike most tourism videos these were actually surprisingly well done and if you want to see some locals who are involved in preserving and passing on Tlingit cultural traditions talk about some of what they're doing you might try the "Our Native Legacy" film from that collection.
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:52 AM on January 20, 2021 [8 favorites]


I wish they'd put montgomery clift on one for his centennial this past October
posted by brujita at 2:53 AM on January 20, 2021


Just beautiful! And I'm sure Ursula would have appreciated one of the great trickster archetypes on a stamp.
posted by domdib at 6:42 AM on January 20, 2021


A bit off-topic, another new stamp I'm excited about features Chien-Shiung Wu, a female Chinese physicist.
posted by of strange foe at 7:24 AM on January 20, 2021


It's a little weird: some of these you can pre-order and others are not yet listed in the USPS store. I want some Raven Story and Go for Broke stamps, yo. The other one I really want (Chien-Shiung Wu) appears to be available for pre-order.
posted by emkelley at 10:24 AM on January 20, 2021


emkelley, I think it depends on if there is a release date yet or not? Or perhaps how far away the release date is - I am eagerly awaiting them as well.

I did order some of the rabbit additional ounce stamps, I am so excited about a rabbit stamp!
posted by needlegrrl at 10:46 AM on January 20, 2021 [1 favorite]


Me too, I love the bunny stamp!
posted by WalkerWestridge at 11:00 AM on January 20, 2021


Time for a trip to the post office!
posted by JawnBigboote at 6:45 PM on January 20, 2021


Northern Exposure that quirky 90s TV show is what introduced me to the Tlingit in Alaska.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 8:22 PM on January 20, 2021


That is a gorgeous stamp!

I'm also excited for the Chien-Shiung Wu stamp, the Go For Broke stamp, and the espresso stamps.
posted by mogget at 9:58 PM on January 20, 2021


some of these you can pre-order and others are not yet listed in the USPS store.

They announce all of the year's new stamps in January; but the actual release schedule is a bit of a mystery. They may sell out of desirable new stamps at your local post office (sometimes, they don't receive many) but you can always get them from USPS online -- that's is, once they're published.
posted by Rash at 7:42 PM on January 21, 2021


Was Googlin Raven stamps to see when I could get them and this thread turned up top of the results. Hi everyone. I, too, love these stamps and am excited for them. COVID post office has meant either zipping in and out of my post office with "Gimme whatever looks good that isn't some GO GO USA design" or buying online (RIP Stamps.com's custom stamps). Can also give a thumbs up to MeFi Card Club, I've been enjoying getting some mail from new people.
posted by jessamyn at 9:21 AM on February 4, 2021 [1 favorite]


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