Official Mail

The Official Mail stamp, which was first issued on January 12, 1983, features a design by Bradbury Thompson, then design coordinator for the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee. That design, still in use today, is based on the Great Seal of the United States. The design of the Great Seal, a collaborative effort of the nation’s Founding Fathers, began on July 4, 1776, was not finalized until nearly six years later on June 20, 1782. In Thompson’s stylized design, the eagle is far different from the one on the seal—with broader wings, a fuller tail, and a larger head—as is the cloud of stars over the eagle’s head.

Official Mail stamps and envelopes are issued for use solely by the U.S. Government, its departments, agencies, and bureaus. Any other use is prohibited by law.