US releases 4 new stamps

Four new US postage stamps — the 58-cent Margaret Chase Smith stamp, the 75-cent, 3-ounce Harriet Beecher Stowe stamp, the $4.60 Priority Mail Air Force One stamp and the $16.25 Express Mail Marine One stamps were released yesterday.

Shown above in a USPS photo are (clockwise from left) the Harriet Beecher Stowe stamp, the Margaret Chase Smith stamp, the Priority Mail Air Force One stamp and the Express Mail Marine One stamp.

Margaret Chase Smith, became the first Republican woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate in 1948 . She also served in the House of Representatives, making her the first woman to serve in both houses of Congress.

Stowe, the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, also penned several other novels, children’s stories, poems and nonfiction works. She was a frequent contributor to publications such as Godey’s Lady’s Book and the Atlantic Monthly.

Air Force One, also known as the “Flying Oval Office,” is a prominent symbol of the presidency. Marine One is actually a squadron of 19 helicopters, which provides transport for the president, vice president and members of the Cabinet.