About This Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service introduces Garden Corsage, a new two-ounce stamp for many of life’s special moments. This contemporary, casual floral collection looks like it was just picked from the garden as a perfect accent for any occasion. Garden Corsage can accommodate the weight of heavy invitations for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations; oversize greeting cards; and mailings such as small gifts that require extra postage. Garden Corsage is similar in design to the new Contemporary Boutonniere Forever® stamp, and the two form a natural pair.
The stamp art features a photograph of a corsage containing a spray of peach roses and a pink ranunculus, accented with deep-pink heather and seeded eucalyptus. A cream-colored lace ribbon entwines the flowers. Organic is a preferred style for today’s floral designs, and choosing these lovely materials creates a beautiful botanical presentation. The addition of the ribbon brings movement to the corsage and the perfect touch of femininity.
The word “corsage” is French and originally meant the bodice of a dress. Women once wore flowers pinned to their dresses, and the little posies were called bouquet de corsage, shortened over time to “corsage.” Along with boutonnieres for men, corsages were fashionable for daily wear in earlier centuries, particularly during the 1700s and 1800s, but gradually they began to be worn mostly on formal occasions.
Today, corsages are worn by mothers of the bride and groom at weddings and by honorees on Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, Easter, proms, or any special occasion or event.
Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp. The corsage was arranged by floral designer Carol Caggiano and photographed by Renée Comet.
The words “Two Ounce” on this stamp indicate its usage value. Like a Forever stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the rate printed on it.
Stamp Art Director, Stamp Designer
Ethel Kessler
Ethel Kessler is an award-winning designer and art director who has worked with corporations, museums, public and private institutions, professional service organizations, and now, the United States Postal Service.
After earning a B.F.A. in visual communications from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Kessler worked as a graphic designer and project manager for the exhibits division of the United States Information Agency. Her work was distributed internationally on subjects such as Immigration, Entrepreneurship, Renovation of American Cities, and the Bicentennial of 1976. She was also responsible for exhibits in Morocco, Botswana, and El Salvador.
In 1981, she established Kessler Design, Inc., for which she is creative director and designer. Clients have included the Clinton Government reorganization, the Smithsonian Institution, National Geographic Television, the National Park Service, and the American Institute of Architects.
She has been an art director for the U.S. Postal Service’s stamp development program for more than 25 years. As an art director for USPS, Kessler has been responsible for creating more than 500 stamp designs, including the Breast Cancer Research stamp illustrated by Whitney Sherman. Issued in 1998, the stamp is still on sale and has raised more $98 million for breast cancer research. Other Kessler projects include the popular and highly regarded Nature of America 120 stamp series, a collaboration with nationally acclaimed nature illustrator John Dawson, the 12-year Lunar New Year series with Kam Mak, the American Filmmaking: Behind the Scenes 10 stamps issued in 2003, a 2016 pane of stamps celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and the 2023 stamp honoring Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And many, many others.
Photographer
Renée Comet
Washington, D.C.–based Renée Comet is an award-winning commercial food photographer known for her creative approach and beautiful use of light. Her visual storytelling is characterized by its uncomplicated, fluid, and elegant style.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Comet earned a degree in photo illustration from the Rochester Institute of Technology. She moved to Washington in 1985, when she was hired by Time-Life Books to photograph a cookbook series. Since then, she has photographed 75 cookbooks.
Comet’s client list includes Simply Organic, McCormick Spice, FoodNetwork, USA Cheese Guild, Marriott International, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Popcorners, and Phillips Foods.
Over her career, Comet has photographed more than a dozen stamps for the U.S. Postal Service. Her most recent project is Veggies Forever (2027).