The U.S. Postal Service will soon release first-of-a-kind stamps with the look — and feel — of actual balls used in eight popular sports. Stamp artist Daniel Nyari of Long Island City NY and stamp designer Mike Ryan of Charlottesville VA, worked with Art Director Greg Breeding of Charlottesville VA to create the stamp images.
Available nationwide June 14, the Have a Ball! Forever stamps depict balls used in baseball, basketball, football, golf, kickball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. A special coating applied to selected areas during the printing process gives them a texture that mimics the feel of a baseball’s stitching, golf ball’s dimples, a tennis ball’s seams a soccer ball or volleyball’s textured panels; and the different raised patterns of a football, basketball and kickball.
The first-day-of-issuance ceremony will be held as part of the U.S. Golf Association’s Flag Day celebration. Nearly one of seven postal employees served in the military. News about the stamps is being shared on social media under the hashtag #Haveaballstamps.
