Postage Stamp Unveiled

Yosemite National Park News Release

February 24, 2005
For Immediate Release

Postage Stamp Unveiled in Yosemite National Park

A new international rate postage stamp featuring the incomparable beauty of Yosemite National Park was unveiled today in a ceremony in Yosemite Valley. This 84 cent stamp, which is part of the "Scenic American Landscapes" international rate series features the "Gates of the Valley" (including El Capitan and the Merced River) and was created from an image captured by the late photographer Galen Rowell. This is the third time that Yosemite National Park has been featured on a postage stamp.

Yosemite National Park Postmaster Bill Carroll, Yosemite Superintendent Mike Tollefson, and Nicole Rowell Ryan and Tony Rowell, children of Galen and Barbara Rowell, unveiled the new stamp in front of the United States Post Office in Yosemite Valley. The event was attended by numerous park visitors, employees, and park and postal employees from the surrounding communities.

"We are honored to be featured on this beautiful stamp. The fact that this stamp will be utilized in post offices around the country until the rate changes makes it even more exciting. It is truly a great day and a great honor for Yosemite National Park," stated Postmaster Carroll.

Tony Rowell and Nicole Rowell Ryan spoke of their father's love for Yosemite and other wild places. They added that it is a great honor to have their father's photograph grace a United States Postage Stamp. Galen and Barbara Rowell died in a plane crash in 2002.

In addition to the cachet envelopes for sale, commemorative pins and t-shirts were sold at the event. The Post Office and the Yosemite Association, the park's cooperating educational association, will sell items throughout the park.

"Yosemite National Park is an icon throughout the world. The stamp is a beautiful testament to the park and I'm excited about the image being mailed throughout the world. I think visitors sending letters from the park and people receiving letters with the new stamps will be very excited," remarked Superintendent Tollefson.

"First Day of Sale" postmarks and pictorial cancellations are available through the mail. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (large enough to accommodate a postcard) and mail it to:
Pictorial Postmarks
United States Post Office
Yosemite, CA 95389


-NPS-