Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

U.S. Postal Service Unveils Indiana's Statehood Stamp

Michael Matti took the photograph of the Indiana sunset used on the stamp.
USPS
Michael Matti took the photograph of the Indiana sunset used on the stamp.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Hoosiers can now buy what the U.S. Postal Service calls a “piece of history,” Indiana’s Statehood stamp.

Officials unveiled the commemorative stamp at the Statehouse Tuesday as part of the state’s year-long bicentennial celebration. It shows a sunset over a cornfield in northern Indiana – an image Gov. Mike Pence says captures the joy he feels for the state.

“And the photographer, who pulled his car over not far from where he lives, jumped on the hood of the car and captured the inexpressible beauty of the landscape of Indiana,” Pence said.

Photographer Michael Matti’s photo was selected after officials saw it online, on his website.  He says the photo was taken a few years ago and was already special to him.

“That’s also kind of the start of my photography career because I was still in university and so that image has meant a lot to me even before they had picked it for the stamp," Matti said. "So it was kind of cool to see that chosen for the stamp, as well.”

The Indiana Statehood forever stamp is available only in Indianapolis Tuesday and released nationwide Wednesday.

Brandon Smith has covered the Statehouse for Indiana Public Broadcasting for more than a decade, spanning three governors and a dozen legislative sessions. He's also the host of Indiana Week in Review, a weekly political and policy discussion program seen and heard across the state.
Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.