The FERMILAB UEC Postage Stamp Campaign

Last modified 19 January 2001

The 1998-1999 Fermilab UEC promoted a US postage stamp in honor of Fermilab.

We received great support from the scientific and local communities and from individuals to issue a stamp on the 100th birthday of Enrico Fermi. Such a stamp is going to be issued by the United States Post Office. A link is here . It is shown here: (though it will be 34 cents).

Many countries other than the United States have issued postage stamps for accelerators and for particle physicists and accelerator builders. We believed the campaign would be beneficial for Fermilab whether or not a stamp was issued.

ENDORSERS
The Fermilab UEC
Universities Research Association
The City of Aurora, Illinois
The City of Batavia, Illinois
The DUKANE Valley Council
The Village of East Dundee
The Village of Elburn
The Village of Itasca
The City of Roselle, Illinois
The Village of South Elgin
The Village of Sugar Grove
The City of Warrenville, Illinois
The Village of Wayne, Illinois
The City of West Chicago, Illinois
The Village of Willowbrook, Illinois
The Village of Wooddale, Illinois
At least 126 citizens including
Residents of 29 states ( see list )
Residents of 15 nations ( see list )

Some Answers to Questions raised during the Fermilab UEC Stamp Campaign

Why should there be a postage stamp for Fermilab?

For many years, Fermilab has been the highest energy particle accelerator in the world. Many countries other than the United States have issued postage stamps for accelerators and for particle physicists and accelerator builders. We also believe the campaign will be a valuable outreach program whether or not a stamp is issued. But if there is a US stamp on the subject of particle physics, it will be a valuable educational tool.

What does it take for the USPS to decide to issue a stamp honoring Fermilab?

It takes a good idea, which we have, and widespread public support. The United States Postal Service gets thousands of suggestions for stamp subjects every year. They have a web page on the CRITERIA for STAMP SUBJECT SELECTION . Ideas for stamps which meet the criteria may be addressed to:

The Citizen's Stamp Advisory Committee
c/o Stamp Management, USPS
475 L'Enfant Plaza
Washington D.C. 20260-6756

When should the stamp be issued?

A stamp takes about three years to be produced. A good target date is 2001, which is the 100th birthday of Enrico Fermi.

I like the idea of a stamp but I don't like the design. How do I make a suggestion?

If the post office department agrees to issue a stamp for Fermilab, they will ignore our design and start over. The design we are using is for publicity purposes only.

What should I do to support the idea?

The UEC would like to gain the support of groups and individuals. If you know of any groups or individuals who would offer their support, contact mcg@hep.anl.gov. He will compile the appropriate lists and forward them to the post office department. At that time, he will also ask you to send your own letter of support.

Are there other stamps which have been issued for high energy physics or high energy physicists?

We're glad you asked. Click on the image to see the full stamp

French Postage Stamp for CERN

Guyana Postage Stamp for Norman Ramsey

Chinese Postage Stamp for the Beijing Electron Positron Synchrotron

Nevis Postage Stamp for T.D. Lee

St. Vincent Postage Stamp for Lawrence

German Postage Stamp for Desy

Antigua & Barbuda Postage Stamp for Jack Steinberger

For information, contact Maury Goodman (mcg@anlhep.hep.anl.gov) EMail or the

UEC