Postage Stamps Feature Matson Container Ships

The U.S. Postal Service honors the U.S. Merchant Marine with this four-pane stamp design. A Matson Navigation container ship can be seen the bottom right-hand corner of the pane. Photo courtesy of Matson.

By Sonia Isotov

Starting today, the U.S. Postal Service will salute the U.S. Merchant Marine by issuing 60 million Forever stamps in a four-stamp pane which includes a container ship operated by the Matson Navigation Company.

The four-stamp design on this pane features types of vessels that have formed an important part of merchant marine history: clipper ships, auxiliary steamships, Liberty ships, and container ships.

The Matson ship stamp is based on an undated photograph of the R.J. Pfeiffer, a modern container ship launched in 1992 and operated by Matson Navigation Company.

“The new four-stamp pane that we are issuing today features vessels that have formed an important part of our country’s maritime history — clipper ships, auxiliary steamships, Liberty ships and container ships,” said Jim Cochrane, vice president, Product Information, U.S. Postal Service, in a written statement. “As we dedicate these stamps, we pay homage not only to the ships, but also to the valor of the thousands of dedicated members of the U.S. Merchant Marine who served their country and served it honorably.”

Joining Cochrane in dedicating the stamps at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy were David T. Matsuda, administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration; Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr., superintendent, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy; and Captain Eric York Wallischeck, chief of staff, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

“The men and women who built and sailed the ships depicted in these four postal stamps have buoyed our prosperity, liberty and way of life,” said Matsuda. “Their sacrifice is worthy of remembrance, as they continue to be an integral part of America’s economy and national security.”

The U.S. Merchant Marine stamps are being issued as Forever stamps. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.