Thinking of buying a gift this holiday season for your stamp-collecting friend or family member?

The U.S. Postal Service has just released its 2002 Commemorative Stamp Yearbook and the 2003 Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps.

The 2002 yearbook features an array of this year’s commemoratives, not only depicting the stamps but presenting a comprehensive record of the designs and stories behind the stamps, as well.

Designed and illustrated for collectors of all ages, the 64-page hardcover yearbook captures the excitement of the year’s stamp program.

The 2003 Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps features nearly 4,000 stamps, from the first issues of 1847 to the present, including detailed listings, catalog numbers, dates of issue, used and unused prices and a glossary of terms.

Special information tells the beginner how to start a collection, what type of stamps are available, how to start collecting first-day covers, how to organize a collection and even how to put a stamp in an album.

The hardcover 2002 Commemorative Stamp Yearbook and the softcover 2003 Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps are available at major book stores and stamp dealers.

The yearbook, complete with the stamps is $49.95, and the guide is $18.95. They are also available by phone, toll free, at (800)-STAMP-24.