Today, March 16 2006, the American Crops stamps have sprouted in New York, NY 10199. Format will be .39-cent definitive stamps (five designs), double-sided pane of 20, coil of 100, vending booklet of 20.

The American Crops stamps are to be first day issued in New York City at the Mega Stamp Show. The stamps designs are by Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA and feature chili peppers, beans, sunflowers, squashes, and corn. Artist Steve Buchanan of Winsted, Connecticut created each of the five stamp designs.

Buchanan’s wife Rita had done research, in the late seventies, on indigenous agricultural methods in the southwestern United States. It was from those slides that he created the artwork.

It was the popularity of these crops and centuries of their cultivation in the America’s that led to their selection.

While the official release will indicate 5 designs, it is to be noted that 15 different versions will be out there in pane (5), coil (5) and booklet (5) format.