In 2011, in Cleveland, Ohio, the Postal Ser­vice issued a Neon Celebrate! special Forever Stamp, in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps. The stamp was designed by Phil Jordan, Falls Church, Virginia.

The stamp design is similar to the Neon Celebrate forever stamp issued on March 25, 2011, but the “Forever” and “USA” inscriptions, which appear in the upper left and right corners of the 2011 stamp, have been moved to the lower half of the stamp on the new issue.

Inspired by a visit to the Museum of Neon Art in Los Angeles, Art Director Phil Jordan began to think about the possibility of using neon to depict a stamp subject. He decided that a “Neon Celebrate!” stamp, with its imagery of vivid colors, fit the bill. The black background of the stamp is reminiscent of a night sky. Like a fireworks display on a summer evening, brilliantly colored images of swirls, cir­cles, and dashes in pink, blue, orange, yellow, and green seem to erupt from the ground to illuminate the darkness. Each letter of the word “Celebrate” and the exclamation point that is part of this stamp’s official title, are highlighted in bright white light.

The stamp was designed by U.S. Post art director Phil Jordan, working with neon artist Michael Flechtner of Van Nuys, Calif.

Around the world, celebrations are a time for family and friends to come together to honor many happy occasions. From birthdays and anniversaries to new jobs and well-deserved retirements, celebrations are a time of joy and togetherness.

Jordan selected fine artist Michael Flechtner to design America’s first neon stamp. Flechtner found his inspiration for the stamp in a fireworks display, noting that “…fireworks, with all their color, light, and motion, was the embodiment of a celebration.”

Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.