37-cent stamp goes on sale tomorrow

Advertiser Staff

Although changes in postal rates won't go into effect until June 30, the new 37-cent first-class stamps will be available tomorrow.

The stamps will feature a U.S. flag or antique toys.

Post offices throughout the state also will be selling 3-cent "makeup" star stamps for customers who have some 34-cent stamps left over.

Postal Service spokeswoman Felice Broglio urged residents to shop early to avoid long lines.

"In years past, we found that people were rushing the windows to get these things," Broglio said. "It's a good idea to get them ahead of time instead of waiting until the day that it changes to avoid the line."

In addition to the first-class stamp, the cost for mailing a post card will increase from 21 cents to 23 cents.

Priority Mail will have a new 1-pound flat rate of $3.85, an increase from $3.50. Heavier pieces will be weighed and priced by zone.

An 8-ounce Express Mail letter will cost $13.65, a 9.6 percent increase from the existing rate.

The Postal Service approved rate increases in April to cover mounting losses since the Sept. 11 attacks.

Also being released tomorrow is a special 45-cent stamp to honor the heroes of Sept. 11. The stamp will feature three firefighters raising the American flag at Ground Zero in New York.

The stamp can be used to mail first-class letters and the difference between the cost of the special stamp and the postage in effect at the time of the purchase will go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.