Ceremony to mark issue of War of 1812 commemorative stamp

Historical Society slates event at Derby Public Library

DERBY - On Saturday the United States Postal Service is issuing a War of 1812: USS Constitution Forever stamp. 

The public is invited to attend the First Day of Sale Ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Derby Public Library, 313 Elizabeth St.
According to the USPS, “The War of 1812, sometimes called “the forgotten conflict,” was a two-and-a-half year confrontation with Great Britain that brought the United States to the verge of bankruptcy and disunion. With this stamp, the Postal Service begins a series commemorating the bicentennial of a war that ultimately helped forge our national identity and gave us our national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

For the design of the first stamp in the series, the Postal Service selected a long-admired painting of the famed USS Constitution by Michele Felice Cornè, circa 1803.
Commodore Isaac Hull, who hailed from Shelton and Derby, took command in June 1810.  
Constitution acquired the nickname “Old Ironsides” during a victorious battle with HMS Guerriere in August 1812, two months into the war.
It scored another victory in December over HMS Java. These victories against the world’s mightiest Navy helped sustain American morale during a time the U.S. Army was suffering major setbacks.

The Derby Historical Society and the Connecticut Cover Club will each prepare envelopes bearing the new stamp -- which is being issued at the Constitution Dock in Boston the same day -- cancelled in Derby, CT. 

The Derby Historical Society envelope will reproduce the artwork they used for the 1947 Frigate Constitution stamp, while the Connecticut Cover Club will produce a design by Chris Calle, internationally-known stamp designer and artist. 

This program is being presented in collaboration with the Connecticut Cover Club, Derby Public Library, Fairfield County Postal Costumer Council, and the USPS. 

For information, contact the Derby Historical Society, 203-735-1908 or e-mail at  info@derbyhistorical.org. 

The above was taken from a press release from the Derby Historical Society, 37 Elm St., Ansonia.