Total Eclipse of the Sun

On August 21, 2017, tens of millions of people in the United States will have an opportunity to view a total eclipse of the Sun. A total solar eclipse was last seen on the U.S. mainland in 1979, but only in the Northwest. The eclipse this summer will sweep a narrow path across the entire country—the first time this has happened since 1918. The U.S. Postal Service commemorates this rare event with a stamp celebrating the majesty of solar eclipses. The Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp is the first U.S. stamp to use thermochromic ink, which reacts to the heat of your touch. Placing your finger over the black disc on the stamp causes the ink to change from black to clear to reveal an underlying image of the moon. The image reverts back to the black disc once it cools. The back of the stamp pane shows a map of the eclipse path. The stamp uses a photograph taken by astrophysicist Fred Espenak of a total solar eclipse that was seen over Jalu, Libya, on March 29, 2006. Mr. Espenak also took the photograph of the full moon that is revealed by pressing upon the stamp image. The reverse side of the stamp pane shows the path across the United States of the forthcoming August 21, 2017, total solar eclipse and gives the times that it will appear in some locations. (SOURCE: USPS)

Solar Eclipse Pictorial Postmarks

As a community service, the U.S. Postal Service offers pictorial postmarks to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. Below are selected pictorial postmarks commemorating the 2017 Solar Eclipse. (SOURCE: Postal Bulletin)

@postallife

Thermochromic Eclipse stamps! #usps #totaleclipse

A post shared by Maggie McColpin (@maggiejay_mac) on Aug 18, 2017 at 4:45pm PDT

#streetphotography

A post shared by Aaron Shafer (@afshafer) on Aug 19, 2017 at 10:49am PDT

Bunch of hotties right here!! Anyone want us to jump u into our gang??? #usps #uniformsarentveryflattering #nwgang #mailmanlife #postalproud

A post shared by karri woods (@karri__) on Aug 19, 2017 at 10:56am PDT

#greenlightcollectibles #usps #1_64scale

A post shared by Joseph Siciliano (@city_joe966) on Aug 18, 2017 at 9:50pm PDT

Delivering class first every step of the way. #usps #flashbackfriday #bellmawr #nj

A post shared by Will.i.am (@thee_firstclassmale) on Aug 18, 2017 at 2:11pm PDT

Your Newest CCA’s of the United States Postal Service. #USPS ??✉️

A post shared by Sam Cianni (@sj_cianni) on Aug 18, 2017 at 1:41pm PDT

Stamp, postmark and eclipse enthusiasts!! ??????? USPS will be issuing 30 special postmarks in post offices across Oregon (and Washington) to commemorate Monday’s total eclipse event. Go to the link to get more info: http://about.usps.com/news/state-releases/or/2017/or_2017_0815.htm #postmark #totaleclipse #greatamericaneclipse #usps #uspostalservice #stamps #postoffice #oregon #commemorativepostmark #eclipse #eclipsestamps #solareclipse #salemoregon #oregonpostmark #gonepostal #postalworker #sendmoremail #happymail #eclipsemail #postcards #onceinalifetimeexperience #postofficesoforegon #solareclipse #astronomy

A post shared by Emily L. Linnell (@gonepostal2013) on Aug 18, 2017 at 10:40am PDT