
The Liberty Forever stamp was a highly anticipated release by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 2017.
Its design featured a portrait of freedom, which was intended to represent the country's founding ideals.
The stamp's popularity skyrocketed, with sales exceeding $30 million in its first year alone.
However, its success was short-lived due to a controversy surrounding its production process.
The stamp's design was created using a digital image, which some critics argued was not suitable for a stamp.
The USPS defended its decision, citing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of digital printing.
Despite the controversy, the Liberty Forever stamp remains a popular collector's item today.
For more insights, see: Forever 21 Usps
The Mistake
The mistake happened in 2008 when the Postal Service was looking for a new image for the Forever stamp. They wanted something "different and unique" and chose an image of the Las Vegas statue.
Several officials testified that they wouldn't have selected that image if they knew it wasn't the real Statue of Liberty. The Postal Service purchased a license of the photograph from a photo service.
The stamp bearing the face of the Las Vegas replica went on sale in December 2010, paired with a US flag Forever stamp.
What Caused the Mistake?

The Postal Service was looking for a new image for the Forever stamp in 2008. Its then-manager of stamp development wanted something "different and unique" because the Statue of Liberty image had been used in at least 20 different stamps.
The manager thought an image of the Las Vegas statue was a good choice. He didn't know it wasn't the real Statue of Liberty.
The Postal Service purchased a license of the photograph from a photo service. Several officials testified that they wouldn't have selected that image if they had known it was a replica.
The stamp bearing the face of the Las Vegas replica went on sale in December 2010.
USPS Faces $3.5M Mistake Cost
The U.S. Postal Service is facing a $3.5 million lawsuit over a mistaken stamp design.
A stamp featuring the image of a Statue of Liberty replica in Las Vegas was released by the USPS for at least three months before it was discovered to be incorrect.
The stamp in question was a "forever" stamp design from 2011.
The Postal Service had been releasing the stamps for at least three months before discovering the mistake.
The stamp featured the face of a Lady Liberty replica created by Las Vegas sculptor Robert Davidson.
Federal Judge Eric Bruggink sided with Davidson, agreeing that his work was an original design with a more modern, feminine, and contemporary face.
The USPS made a profit of $70 million from the stamp design.
The agency is reviewing the decision and has yet to comment further.
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty was featured on a "forever" stamp by the US Postal Service, but it wasn't the real thing. The post office was surprised to learn that the stamp was actually a replica, not the actual Statue of Liberty.
The replica's differences from the real statue are quite noticeable. The hair is different, the eyes are much more sharply defined, and a rectangular patch is on the replica's center spike.
Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty is an iconic symbol of freedom and democracy, and it's been featured on a postage stamp issued by the United States Post Office.
The Statue of Liberty Forever stamp was produced in the USA on December 1, 2010, and it commemorates the original Statue of Liberty located in New York City.
This stamp is notable for mistakenly depicting a replica of the Statue of Liberty located at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
Ten and a half billion of these error stamps were produced, making it the largest run of an error on a postage stamp.
The mistake was identified by a Texas-based stock photo agency in March 2011, and it led to a lawsuit against the Postal Service for copyright infringement.
A sculptor named Robert S. Davidson sued the Postal Service and was awarded $3.5 million in July 2018.
The error stamp has a negligible estimated value, despite its massive production run.
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Statue of Liberty to Cost $3.5 Million

A U.S. Postal Service "forever" stamp mistake will cost $3.5 million due to a copyright infringement lawsuit. The stamp featured a Statue of Liberty replica in Las Vegas instead of the original New York Statue.
Las Vegas sculptor Robert Davidson created the replica Lady Liberty in the facade at the New York-New York casino-resort on the Las Vegas Strip. His attorneys argued in court filings that his Lady Liberty was unmistakably different from the original and was more "fresh-faced", "sultry", and even "sexier."
The Postal Service had been releasing the stamps for at least three months before discovering the mistake. The agency made a profit of $70 million from the stamp.
Federal Judge Eric Bruggink sided with Davidson, agreeing that his work was an original design with a more modern, feminine, and contemporary face.
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US Postal Service
The US Postal Service has a rich history that dates back to 1775, when the Second Continental Congress created the first postal system in the American colonies.
The US Postal Service is self-funded, relying on the sale of postage and services to operate, rather than receiving taxpayer dollars.
It's fascinating to note that the first postage stamp issued by the US Postal Service was the 5-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp, introduced in 1847.
The US Postal Service delivers over 142 billion pieces of mail each year, making it one of the largest civilian employers in the country.
The Liberty Forever stamp, which features an image of Lady Liberty, was introduced in 2017 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
The US Postal Service operates over 40,000 post offices across the country, offering a wide range of services to customers.
The Liberty Forever stamp is a popular choice among collectors and everyday mailers alike, with over 10 billion stamps printed since its introduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Statue of Liberty stamps forever stamps?
Yes, the Statue of Liberty stamp is a Forever stamp, which means its value remains the same for first-class mail regardless of future price changes. Issued on December 1, 2010, by the United States Post Office.
Sources
- https://www.cnn.com/style/article/statue-of-liberty-stamp-lawsuit/index.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Liberty_Forever_stamp
- https://gothamist.com/news/us-postal-service-uses-fake-statue-of-liberty-for-stamp
- https://www.10tv.com/article/news/nation-world/mistaken-choice-sexier-lady-liberty-stamp-cost-usps-35m/530-8fe779a3-df9a-4501-a285-604f0787a395
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/statue-of-liberty-stamp-mistake-to-cost-u-s-postal-service-3-5-million/
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