US Postal Service International Peace Forever Stamp Sheet of 20 - White Origami Crane

• Promote the goal of global harmony with the International Peace Forever stamp. The stamp is available in sheets of 20.
• The International Peace Forever stamp features a photograph of a white origami crane - a symbol of peace - set against a blue background.
• Forever Stamp: Always valid for the rate of sending one ounce of mail, regardless of future rate increases.
• Sheet of 20: Provides enough stamps for multiple mailings.
• Self-Adhesive: Easy to use, simply peel and stick.
• Made in the USA: High-quality, detailed stamp artwork made and printed domestically.
• The International Peace stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

The U.S. Postal Service recognizes the goal of international peace with a stamp featuring an origami crane - a symbol of global peace.

The origins of the crane as a symbol for peace began with Sadako Sasaki, who was two years old when she was exposed to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima in 1945. She was diagnosed with leukemia at age 12, in February 1955. While hospitalized, she began folding origami cranes (called orizuru in Japanese). In Japanese folklore, cranes are mythical creatures representing longevity because they are believed to live for 1,000 years. The practice of the senbazuru (folding 1,000 cranes) is believed to grant one wish to anyone who completes the task. Sadako continued folding cranes for the remainder of her life, passing away on October 25, 1955.

While the stamp may look like a simple design, art director Alcalá says it’s more complicated than it seems. After Andersen-Bruce photographed the crane, he had to adjust the shadows to make the crane look like it was in flight. He said arranging the text around the crane so it would appear in a natural position and fitting it on the small size of the stamp was a challenge.

"One reason these stamps are important is that they enable people to send and receive a message of peace - a condition everyone hopes to live in."