Booklet features American flag history

Since Sept. 11, 2001, Americans have begun displaying the flag in homes and cars and even on clothing.

The U.S. Postal Service issued a 28-page document, the Old Glory prestige booklet, which gives a look at more than 200 years of American flag history. Written and designed by Richard Sheaff, this booklet is only the second ever published by the USPS. The cost for the 20 stamps in the booklet is the face value of $7.40.

Available with the Old Glory prestige booklet are five colorful 37-cent stamps representing an array of patriotic items. They include an example of 20th-century folk art featuring Uncle Sam riding a high-wheel bicycle; Benjamin Harrison’s 1888 presidential campaign badge; a souvenir bookmark from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition; a modern Stars and Stripes folding fan (above); and a 19th-century hand-painted carving of a woman holding a sword and a U.S. flag.

The U.S. flag appears in some 100 different stamp designs — but it’s not always in the spotlight. On some issues, Old Glory is so small that a magnifying glass would be needed to see it.

The prestige booklets and the special strip of five are available at most U.S. post offices.