Postal Service reveals new stamps

WASHINGTON, March 1 (UPI) -- The late African-American author Richard Wright is among those being honored by the U.S. Postal Service with new stamps this year.

Wright, who died in 1960 at age 52, will appear on the 61-cent stamp. Wright is best-known for his 1940 novel "Native Son" and his 1945 autobiography "Black Boy."

There are three stamps targeting romantics -- a 44-cent wedding rings stamp, a 61-cent wedding cake stamp and a 44-cent king and queen of hearts stamp.

Other 2009 price-change stamps, stamp cards and stamped envelopes are: a 28-cent polar bear stamp; a 28-cent koi fish stamped card; a 44-cent Purple Heart stamp honoring wounded U.S. veterans; a 44-cent Seabiscuit stamped envelope; a 78-cent Mary Woodard Lasker stamp; a 44-cent U.S. flag stamp; a 44-cent Celebrate! stamp; a 64-cent dolphin stamp; a 98-cent Grand Teton National Park stamp; a 79-cent Zion National Park stamp; and a 44-cent Edward Hopper stamp.

"The stamps we are issuing cover a variety of subjects and will have wide appeal across many audiences," said David Failor, USPS manager for stamp services. "We are especially pleased to introduce a new Forever personalized stamped envelope. It will make quite an impression."

Most of the stamps will be issued on or before the May 11 stamp price change, Failor noted in a news release.