Express Mail _ Great Smoky Mountains Forever Stamp 2023
2023 Great Smoky Mountains Express Mail Stamp: Celebrating American Landmarks
Stamp Overview:
- Part of the American Landmarks Series
- Honors the Great Smoky Mountains
- Covers the $28.75 Express Mail rate
- Issued without a First Day Ceremony
Reason for Issuance:
This stamp was created to cover the Express Mail rate and pays homage to the majestic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Design Highlights:
Crafted by digital artist Dan Cosgrove, the stamp features a captivating digital illustration based on real photographs. It depicts the breathtaking mountain scenery near Newfound Gap, situated between Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Cherokee, North Carolina. A red-tailed hawk soars gracefully in the foreground, adding to the picturesque vista.
First Day City:
Although Gatlinburg, Tennessee, was designated as the First Day City, the stamp's issuance did not include a formal First Day of Issue Ceremony.
American Landmarks Series Insight:
The American Landmarks Series commenced in 2008 with stamps portraying Mount Rushmore and Hoover Dam. Since then, new stamps have been introduced almost annually, showcasing vibrant images of iconic American landmarks, digitally rendered by Dan Cosgrove. Collectively, these stamps offer a virtual tour of America's most renowned sites.
Historical Context:
Situated on the Tennessee-North Carolina border, the Great Smoky Mountains stretch from the Pigeon River to the Little Tennessee River. Within this range lies the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, established in 1934 and drawing over 11 million visitors annually.
Designated as an International Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Smoky Mountains boast around 187,000 acres of old-growth forest, the largest in the eastern United States. These forests are inhabited by diverse wildlife, including the densest population of black bears in the eastern U.S. and a remarkably varied array of salamanders.
The mountains derive their name from the mist and fog that often envelop the valleys, resulting from the area's abundant rainfall and moderate temperatures. This atmospheric phenomenon, combined with stunning sunrises and sunsets, creates the ethereal "smoke" that lends the mountains their iconic allure.
