Star Wars stamps available at Post Office

© 2007 USPS Used with permission Star Wars souvenir sheet of stamps available at the U.S. Post Office. In conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the first Star Wars film, the U. S. Postal Service is issuing 41-cent, Star Wars commemorative stamps in 15 designs. The stamps are on sale nationwide. Image artwork is by longtime Star Wars poster artist Drew Struzan; the stamps were designed by Terrence McCaffrey and William J. Glicker, Jr., of the U.S. Postal Service.

The pressure sensitive sheet of 15 stamps shows familiar characters and vehicles from the most successful and popular epic adventure of all time: Darth Vader, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewbacca, Princess Leia Organa and R2- D2, C-3PO, Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Emperor Palpatine, Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, Millennium Falcon, X-wing starfighter, Queen Padme Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker, and Darth Maul.

The selvage includes the Star Wars logo and background images of a space battle, including a Star Destroyer, TIE fighters, Xwing starfighters, and the second Death Star as shown under construction in Star Wars: Episode VI, Return of the Jedi. The background also includes the lightsaber-wielding form of Darth Vader, whose helmet comprises the largest of the 15 shapes. The back of the souvenir sheet includes extensive text describing the dramatic roles that each featured character or vehicle plays in the Star Wars saga.

The $6.15 Star Wars commemorative sheet may not be split at the Post Office and the stamps may not be sold individually. A booklet of 15 stamped postal cards is also available for purchase. 450 million stamps have been printed.

Customers have sixty days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, Contract Postal Unit, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, and the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop.