State Fair showcases Bicentennial Stamp

Posted on August 11, 2018
This year’s State Fair is highlighting a stamp that has been used to commemorate Illinois’ 200th birthday. (Dave Dahl)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – The U.S. Postal Service wants to claim its share of Illinois State Fair limelight, which is why it used the fair’s post office to unveil a stamp which has been in circulation for five months.

“During the fair, we’ll be open here and have a special cancellation envelope commemorating Illinois statehood,” said Springfield postmaster Israel Hilton, “as well as other Illinois statehood stamp products available during the 2018 Illinois State Fair, so please come visit us in the Expo Building.”

The design of the stamp is the state’s outline in blue, with a sun and rays emanating northward from Cairo. Twenty stars at the top represent the number of states in the Union until Illinois joined.

Illinois’ Bicentennial is December 3 of this year.

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