One of the functions of the post office is to issue commemorative stamps. Commemorative stamps commemorate people, places, artwork and ideas and are hot collectibles.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was given this honor two times; once in 1964 and once in 1967.

The first stamp was issued on May 29, 1964. On that day, the U.S. Post Office released the five cent  John F. Kennedy memorial stamp on what would have been Kennedy’s 47th birthday. The issue was designed by Raymond Loewy/William Snaith, a New York firm. It was based on an initial sketch by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing artist Robert L. Miller. His widow, Jacqueline Kennedy, was given the honor of making the final selection for the artwork  from the many Postage stamp designs that were submitted.

The second stamp was the 13 cent stamp issued in 1967. It was first issued in Brookline, Massachusetts, on May 29 of that year. The issue was designed by Stevan Dohanos, modeled after a photograph by Jacques Loew in the book “The Kennedy Years.” The 13-cent Kennedy postage stamp at that time was enough postage to pay the rates for both foreign surface letters and air postcards to international locations.

To relive JFK’s greatest achievements, please visit the John F. Kennedy DVD Collection.

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