2022 First-Class Forever Stamps,Imperforate Mariachi

US #5703-07c
2022 Mariachi (Imperforate)

• Celebrates the rich tradition of mariachi music with five different stamp designs

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Value:  60¢ First Class Mail Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue:  July 15, 2022
First Day City:  Albuquerque, New Mexico
Quantity Issued:  18,000,000 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps.  The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)
Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method:  Offset
Format:  Panes of 20
Tagging:  Phosphor, block tag

Why the stamps were issued:  To honor mariachi music, its cultural value to Mexico, and its rise in popularity in the United States.

About the stamp designs:  The stamps picture five different mariachi musicians and their instruments.  The geometric shapes in the background represent Mexican villages, the places where mariachi music first came to be.  The artwork and designs were done by Rafael López.

First Day City:  The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque Showcase Competition Concert.

History the stamp represents:  Mariachi music is an iconic piece of Mexican culture.  In fact, in 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) classified it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.  In 2022, the United States Postal Service recognized mariachi music and its importance to Mexican Americans with five Forever stamps.  The designs were created by stamp artist Rafael López who also produced the designs for the Latin Music Legends, Lets Dance:  Merengue, and Mendez v. Westminster School District USPS stamps.

While mariachi music originated in the Mexican countryside, its popularity in the US began to grow in the late 1970s.  This led to mariachi programs in schools and churches, plus concerts, festivals, and more.

In 1990, MARIACHI USA was established.  It’s an annual mariachi festival held in Los Angeles.  According to the event’s website, “MARIACHI USA will celebrate the rich tradition in which so many Mexicans and Mexican Americans take pride, and which has secured its place as one of the most beloved music genres in world music.”  In 2022, event tickets completely sold out, which goes to show how passionate mariachi fans are about their music.