In honor of the Mississippi River, the United States Postal Service has issued a number of new, nondescript stamps showcasing America’s most famous waterway. The first stamps were issued in a ceremony at Beale Street Landing in Memphis, TN yesterday. One of the stamps in the collection depicts the American ship Queen Voyages american queen.
Gary Barksdale, Chief Postal Inspector for the Postal Service, was on hand for the event.
“In addition to its many recreational and natural attributes, the Mississippi is also the backbone of America’s economy – serving as a waterfront highway, moving more than 175 million tons of freight annually,” said Inspector Gary Barksdale. in Chief of Postal Service Posts, who served as a consecrating official. “Today, we continue the Postal Service’s tradition of celebrating our country’s wonderful heritage with the dedication of 10 truly special Forever stamps honoring mighty Mississippi.”
RELATED: THEMED CRUISE: ALL ABOARD THE AMERICAN QUEEN
Barksdale was joined by Alex Bernhardt; cruise director of American Queen Voyages; Jim Strickland, Mayor of Memphis; Tyree Daniels, Chairman of the Board of Memphis River Parks; John Waggoner, founder and president of American Queen Voyages; Frank Rivera, resident of American Queen Voyages; and Quintin R. Smith, pastor of historic Millington First Baptist Church.
“Travellers have been captivated by the Mississippi River — idealizing the steamships carrying them from Minnesota to Louisiana — throughout history,” Waggoner said. “Our flagship American Queen is an iconic symbol of these mighty paddle steamers, and we are honored to have her grace the collection.”
The collection of 10 stamps each depicts a state along the course of the river. The Iowa stamp shows David Sebben’s photo of the steamship American Queen near the town of Bettendorf.
Have you taken a cruise on the Mississippi? Let us know in the comments!
