Battle of Mobile Bay postage stamp dedicated, unveiled

MOBILE, Alabama -- The 150th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Mobile Bay postage stamp was dedicated during a ceremony at the History Museum of Mobile Wednesday morning.

There was standing room only as the ceremony, led by Postmaster of Mobile Reginald Capers, began with the posting of the colors by the U.S. Coast Guard ATC Mobile Color Guard. This was followed by the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, then the National Anthem, sung by Rasheda Banks.

David Alsobrook, executive director of the History Museum of Mobile, said they knew several months ago that the Battle of Mobile Bay and the Petersburg stamps were coming out, and wanted to hold the ceremony at the museum. "For a Mobilian, historian, and someone who collects stamps, it doesn't get any better than this," Alsobrook said.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson reflected on the battle, and noted the honor of having Patrick Donahoe, Postmaster General and CEO of the U.S. Postal Service, present for the unveiling and dedication.

"I've done probably 100 stamp dedications, and this is one of, if not the, nicest venues ... it says a lot about the spirit of Mobile, Alabama," Donahoe said.

"Today the Postal Service continues its five-year commemoration of the Civil War," Donahoe continued. "It gives you the opportunity to honor the troops that fought in Petersburg and Mobile Bay."

Donahoe helped officially unveil the commemorative piece, as he and several others drew back blue curtains to reveal a large Battle of Mobile Bay stamp.

The Mobile Bay stamp depicts Admiral David G. Farragut's fleet at the Battle of Mobile Bay on Aug. 5, 1864.

The Petersburg stamp depicts the 22nd United States Colored Troops engaged in the June 15-18, 1864, assault on Petersburg, Va., at the beginning of the Petersburg Campaign.

Both stamps were created by art director Phil Jordan. The Petersburg Campaign stamp is a reproduction of an 1892 painting by J. Andre Castaigne. The Battle of Mobile Bay stamp is a reproduction of a painting by Julian Oliver Davidson published circa 1886 by Louis Prang & Co.

The U.S. Postal Service says customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of issue postmark by mail. Stamps can also be purchased at a local Post Office, The Postal Store, at usps.com/stamps or by calling 800-STAMP-24.

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