U.S. 4973-77
2015 49¢ Ferns
(With microprinting)

The five Ferns stamps were issued in coils of 10,000 for business users. Though released in 2015, they have a 2014 date in the lower left corner.  The same design had been released in 2014 (with microprinting added).

The silvery, feather-like fronds of painted ferns are naturally found in shady wooded areas of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. They often dapple the dark corners of landscaped areas as well, adding bright points to otherwise flat, green ground cover.

As with many other fern species, painted fern varieties are hardy, low-maintenance shade-lovers, easily cultivated by the casual gardener.  However, painted ferns offer more than just ground cover.  Their multicolored foliage, presenting in shades of silver, red, purple, and green, supplies color to shady areas where blooms tend not to flourish.  These ferns add light and texture to the landscape.

The diverse color scheme of painted ferns tends to deepen in cooler climates, making them especially desirable in the northern United States.  Painted ferns are also a favorite for cross-pollination, with new varieties emerging all the time.  Enthusiasts must be patient though, as the colors of these plants can take two to three years to fully emerge.

The design of each fern stamp comes from a close-up photograph of a different species.  There are five species pictured – autumn, Goldie’s wood, soft shield, Fortune’s holly, and painted ferns.  The images were from photographer Cindy Dyer.

49¢ Ferns, issued to satisfy the first-class mail rate

Issue Date: March 27, 2015

City: Kansas City, MO (no First Day of Issue Ceremony)

Quantity: 100,000,000 stamps

Category: Definitive

Printed By: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products

Printing Method: Lithographed, 250 stamps per revolution with a plate number every 25 stamps

Perforations: Serpentine Die Cut 11 vertical

Self-adhesive