About This Stamp
In 2020, the Postal Service offered Presorted Star, a stamp sold in self-adhesive coils of 3,000 and 10,000, intended for use by bulk mailers. The American flag is a popular element of stamp design, and it regularly appears on definitive stamps intended for mail use. Several commemorative stamps have displayed the flag as well.
This new stamp celebrates the beloved American Stars and Stripes by focusing on its vital components.
The asymmetrical design includes one large white star positioned slightly to the right of the stamp’s center and cut off at the right edge of the brilliant blue backdrop, plus two white and three red stripes to the left. In the stamp’s white areas are the words “USA” and “PRESORTED STANDARD” and three small stars, all rendered in gold.
The components of the American flag were defined by the Continental Congress in a June 14, 1777, resolution that stipulated 13 red and white stripes and a constellation of 13 white stars on a blue field. Alternating red and white stripes had been used on the Sons of Liberty’s flag and on the Continental Colors, and stars were popular elements of heraldry. Legends abound regarding the designer of the original Stars and Stripes; however, evidence points to Francis Hopkinson, a delegate from New Jersey who signed the Declaration of Independence. Hopkinson devoted much attention to creating heraldic symbols for many entities in and of the new nation.
Greg Breeding was the art director and Matthew Pamer the designer for the stamp.
Stamp Art Director
Greg Breeding
Greg Breeding is a graphic designer and principal of Journey Group, a design company he co-founded in 1992, located in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was creative director until 2013, at which time he began serving as president and continued in that role through 2023.
Breeding’s fascination with modernism began while studying design at Virginia Commonwealth University. His affinity with the movement continues and motivates his ongoing advanced studies at the Basel School of Design in Switzerland most every summer.
As an art director for postage stamp design since 2012, Breeding has designed more than 100 stamps covering a diverse array of subjects, from Star Wars droids and Batman to Harlem Renaissance writers and the transcontinental railroad.
His work has been recognized in annual design competitions held by Graphis, AIGA, PRINT magazine, and Communication Arts.
Breeding lives in North Garden, Virginia, with his wife and enjoys nothing so much as frolicking on the floor with his grandchildren.
Stamp Designer and Typographer
Matthew Palmer
Matthew Pamer is a freelance designer and illustrator with more than 15 years of experience.
He developed his style during his 10 years with the Charlottesville, Virginia-based design firm Journey Group, under art director Greg Breeding. His time with the nonprofit organization charity: water, which is devoted to bringing clean water to developing countries, was also significant as his career advanced.
Among Pamer’s clients are The Atlantic, NBC/Universal, the Washington Post, Masterclass, and TEDx. His work has been featured in publications including Print Magazine and Dieline.
Pamer’s projects for the U.S. Postal Service include the Year of the Dragon stationery set, the Stamp Yearbooks for 2011 to 2015, a series of posters marking the launch of the Music Icons stamp series, and the Presorted Star (2020) stamp.
Pamer lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife and son.