Vermont's Arlington Green Bridge Gets Stamp of Approval

NORCROSS, Ga., Jan. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One of Vermont's most photographed covered bridges — the Arlington Green Bridge — is commemorated on a $5.60 Priority Mail stamp starting today.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130125/DC48430)

The stamps can be purchased at usps.com/stamps, by phone at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide in preparation for the Jan. 27 price change.

Artist Dan Cosgrove of Chicago, IL, created the artwork under the direction of art director Derry Noyes of Washington, DC.

Built in 1852, the bridge takes its name from the village green it overlooks. Included in the stamp image rising above the far end of the bridge is the white steeple of the West Arlington, VT, Chapel on the Green United Methodist Church which was built in 1804.

The Arlington Green bridge spans the Batten Kill trout stream in Arlington, just off Route 313 in southwestern Vermont. Although it stretches 80 feet across the stream, the bridge's roadbed is only wide enough to allow one lane of traffic at a time.

The Arlington Green Bridge is constructed from wooden planks and timbers, using the lattice truss design patented by architect Ithiel Town in 1820. Five rectangular windows adorn each side of the structure. According to local tradition, the bridge's sturdiness was demonstrated shortly after it was built when it was swept off its abutments by a flood and came to rest on its side, still spanning the stream. People walked across the flat side of the bridge until it could be righted. Because the bridge was too heavy to be shifted in one piece, it had to be disassembled and rebuilt in its proper place, where it stands today. Just beyond that stands a farmhouse where American artist Norman Rockwell lived and worked from 1943 to 1953.

Ordering First-Day Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at usps.com/stamps, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Arlington Green Bridge (Priority Mail) Stamp
265 Mitchell Street
Norcross, GA 30071-9998

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by March 25, 2013.

Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:

U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products

There are three philatelic products available for this stamp issue:

• 116110, Keepsake (Pane and Digital Color Postmark Set), $62.95.
• 116116, First-Day Cover, $6.04.
• 116121, Digital Color Postmark, $6.75.

Customers may view the Arlington Green Bridge Priority Mail stamp, as well as many of this year's other stamps on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, on Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service's online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.

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SOURCE U.S. Postal Service