A prestige booklet is a stamp booklet with oversized panes, descriptive information and images commemorating a special topic. The idea for these booklets originated in Great Britain in 1969. Preliminary results show that customers enjoy the added information that places into context and compliments the subjects featured in the actual prestige booklet.

OLD GLORY PRESTIGE BOOKLET
ISSUED AT NEW YORK STAMP SHOW

The Stars and Stripes received a special stamp of approval when five new commemorative postage stamps featuring photographs of patriotic symbolism inspired by the colors and design of the U.S. flag were issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

The Old Glory prestige booklet, which contains 20 stamps featuring the five Old Glory designs, was dedicated at a first day of issue ceremony held in conjunction with the Postage Stamp Mega-Event sponsored by the American Philatelic Society (APS), American Stamp Dealers Association, Inc. (ASDA), and the Postal Service.

Nothing reflects the pride and emotion we have as American?s like the U.S. flag,? said David E. Failor, executive director of Stamp Services for the U.S. Postal Service, who was the dedicating official. ?This souvenir booklet takes a wonderful look at how we use the Stars and Stripes to tell our country?s story. Old Glory takes many forms ? from official versions we so proudly wave, to countless derivative designs. In the end they all say the same thing?allegiance to the republic for which it stands. It is our pleasure to highlight the beloved symbol with a philatelic souvenir booklet,? Failor said. ?This assignment was just plain fun. I am cursed with being one of those people who collects anything and everything. Creating this booklet was a wonderful opportunity to work and play at the same time,? said Richard D. Sheaff, stamp designer and writer of the Old Glory prestige booklet. Also participating in the ceremony were Lloyd A. de Vries, secretary, APS; Jackson W. Taylor, president, ASDA; Whitney Smith, PhD., director, The Flag Research Center; Vinnie Malloy, Postal Service District Manager-Postmaster, New York District; John K. Harget, manager, Post Office Operations, New York District.

The Old Glory stamps highlight examples of America?s heritage:
A 19th-century hand-painted carving of a woman proudly holding aloft a sword and flag
An 1888 presidential campaign badge with a photograph of Benjamin Harrison
Top portion of a silk bookmark woven at the World?s Columbia Exposition in 1893
An example of 20th-century folk art featuring Uncle Sam riding a high-wheel bicycle
A modern folding fan with a flag design.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Old Glory
Scott Catalog number: 3776 - 3780
USPS Item Number: 882000
Denomination & Type of Issue: 37-cent Commemorative
Format: Prestige booklet of 20 (5 designs)
Issue Date & City: April 3, 2003, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Typographer: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Stevens, Vari-size Security Press
Stamps per Pane: 10 (2 panes per booklet)
Print Quantity: 60 million stamps
Paper Type: Prephosphored, type I
Adhesive Type: Pressure sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow