Issue Type: Commemorative

In 2006 the U.S. Postal Service will pay tribute to six-time
world champion boxer Sugar Ray Robinson by issuing a
commemorative stamp in his honor.

Resembling a vintage fight poster from the 1940s and '50s,
the stamp design features block lettering and a halftone
image of Robinson created from a photographic portrait made
during his peak fighting years.

Sugar Ray Robinson (1921-1989) reigned as the undefeated
world welterweight champion from December 20, 1946, until
February 14, 1951, when he won the world middleweight title
for the first of five times.

In 1999 a panel of experts named him "fighter of the century."

Issue Type: Commemorative

Remembered for the pursuits he called "philosophical amusements",
Benjamin Franklin was intensely curious about natural phenomena.
His observations and experiments in areas such as electricity and
meteorology resulted in interesting inventions, including a heating
stove, the lightning rod, and an early electrical battery.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, PRINTER

From his childhood apprenticeship in Boston to his career in
Philadelphia as an adult, Benjamin Franklin enjoyed a lifelong
association with printing. In addition to the Pennsylvania Gazette
and Poor Richard's Almanack, his presses also printed a wide
range of materials such as government pamphlets, religious tracts,
currency, and books.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, STATESMAN

Deeply involved in politics and civic life, Benjamin Franklin served
in the Continental Congress and signed both the Declaration of
Independence and the Constitution. Often considered America's first
diplomat, Franklin negotiated an alliance with France and helped to
secure a peace treaty with Great Britain.

B. FREE FRANKLIN, POSTMASTER

Benjamin Franklin was vital to the organization of the American postal
system, serving as postmaster of Philadelphia and a deputy postmaster
for the American colonies before being appointed postmaster general
by the Continental Congress in 1775. He marked postage-free letters
with his unique personal signature: "B. Free Franklin."

by Lyla

Issue Type: Commemorative

With this stamp pane, the U.S. Postal Service honors the art of
romance as imagined by Walt Disney and his studio animators.
Now, with help from a few beloved Disney characters, it's easy
to add a dash of romance to your cards and letters with stamps
that feature Cinderella and Prince Charming; Beauty and the
Beast; Lady and Tramp; and Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

CINDERELLA AND PRINCE CHARMING

Everyone dreams of living a rags-to-riches fairy tale and dancing
with that special someone. As Cinderella and Prince Charming
learn, one waltz can lead to a moment of realization: "So this is love."

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

This is the evening the Beast has awaited, but can he tell Belle of
his love? He knows his heart, but does she yet know her own?
These lovers are as uncertain as they are hopeful-emotions and
a tale "as old as time."

LADY AND TRAMP

First dates can be full of risks-and ordering spaghetti only complicates
matters. Fortunately for Lady and Tramp, a plate of pasta leads to a
memorable kiss, turning a simple dinner out into a wonderful
"Bella Notte."

MICKEY AND MINNIE MOUSE

Mickey and Minnie Mouse have been sweethearts for many years,
yet they still have that first-date feeling. Seeing this celebrated couple,
we can all take heart; they prove that sometimes the course of love
can indeed run smooth.

by Lyla

Issue Type: Commemorative

Expected Release Date: May 15th, 2006

With the 22nd stamp in the Literary Arts series, the U.S. Postal
Service honors acclaimed writer Katherine Anne Porter.
Considered a master prose stylist, Porter won both the National
Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1966 for The
Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter, which was published
in 1965.

Award-winning stamp artist Michael J. based his painting of Porter
on a 1936 photograph made by George Platt Lynes. By including
a ship in the design, Deas links Porter's portrait to the sea voyage
that inspired her best-selling novel Ship of Fools and to her
assessment of life, which she called, "this brave voyage."

by Lyla

Issue Type: Commemorative

Expected Release Date: May 25th, 2006.

In May, the Postal Service continues its tradition of drawing
attention to important social causes by issuing the "AMBER
Alert" stamp in Washington , DC , to honor a program
dedicated to the rapid recovery of abducted children.
Named after nine-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was
tragically kidnapped and murdered in 1996, AMBER is an
acronym for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency
Response. When law enforcement officials have sufficient
information about the circumstances of abduction, and
believe the child is in imminent danger, they partner with
media and state transportation officials to broadcast an alert.
The chalk pastel illustration shows a reunited mother and
child entwined in each other's arms.

by Lyla

Issue Type: Commemorative

Expected Release Date: May 27th, 2006.

This stamp pane features 40 natural and man-made wonders of
the United States. These remarkable places, plants, animals, and
structures were selected from every region of the country.
The stamp art is by Lonnie Busch, who illustrated the
50 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA stamps in 2002. On the front
of each stamp, in large letters, are words that describe the
superlative nature of a particular place or thing. Smaller type gives
the name or location of the featured wonder. Text on the back of
each stamp provides relevant statistics and other interesting i
nformation.

by Lyla