This might have already been posted before but I was just reading about the new stamps to be released for 2009. They will include the Gulf Coast Lighthouse stamps.

"The popular lighthouse stamps series continues to shine with the issuance of Gulf Coast Lighthouses next summer. Featuring paintings by artist Howard Koslow of Toms River, NJ, the five stamps depict the lighthouses of Matagorda Island, near Port O’Connor, TX; Sabine Pass, near Sabine Pass, LA; Biloxi, in Biloxi, MS; Sand Island, near the entrance to Mobile Bay in Mobile, AL; and, Fort Jefferson (also known as Garden Key Lighthouse), 50 miles west of Key West, FL, in Dry Tortugas Park.

Known as “hurricane alley,” the Gulf Coast weathers many powerful storms each year, including Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the region in 2005. In addition, the land along the coast is swampy and marshy in many places and given to erosion, making it doubly difficult for lighthouses to withstand heavy rains and winds. The five lighthouses featured on the stamps are some of the few that remain standing." (quoted from usps.com)

Here is a link to the USPS notice of 2009 stamp releases. The Gulf Coast Lighthouses are about halfway down the page.

http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008/pr08_136.htm

Oh wow! I hadn't heard of this. That's great news and just in time! I am runing out of Lighthouse Stamps. I bought $100. worth each of the last two sets. After mailing out my Christmas Cards I'm down to only 3 stamps left. Well that's 3 plus the one page that I'm keeping for my collection. Can't wait to see them. Thank you for posting the news Lorie!

If you look at the next stamp, American Treasures: Edward Hopper and you see another lighthouse. Since it is Provincetown, I would presume it would be Race Point?

You've got a good eye Dave. I didn't see that.

Looks like Race Point but hard to tell at the distance. I like that stamp too!!

"The popular lighthouse stamps series continues to shine with the issuance of Gulf Coast Lighthouses next summer. Featuring paintings by artist Howard Koslow of Toms River, NJ"

Hey the artist is from my town. I wonder if he has a gallery to look at some of his paintings.

He has done all the lighthouse stamp sets, so he should have a load of lighthouse paintings! Probably paints in his garage . . .

I had the great pleasure of meeting Howard Koslow and his wife and even had breakfast with them back when the Southeastern series was dedicated at Tybee Island. He is a very quiet and down to earth type person. Also, obviously very talented.

I'm looking forward to the Gulf Coast issue.

Judy

Most of the stamps have a dedication ceremony of some type. And the information (date, place, and time) is posted on http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2008/pr08_136.htm along with the information about the stamp. However there is no such information for the Lighthouse Stamps.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume that a dedication ceremony is the same thing as a First Day Issue Ceremony. If anyone hears about a date, place and time for the Sand Island or Biloxi Stamps, please let me know!!! I want to go!

It is the First Day Issue Ceremony, Stephanie. My guess is that it won't be posted until much closer to the date of the event, like maybe a month or two out. Keep checking the Post Office site for announcements.

If you can go, it's well worth it, and you'll be able to pick up some souvenirs as well as the first, First Day issues.

Judy

Lighthouse Digest sent out a newsletter yesterday. They report it is Long Point. This one will be dedicated August 6 at the American Philatelic Society Stamp Show in Pittsburgh, PA.

Also in the newsletter... TWO lighthouse stamp issues in one year!

Judy

Judy,

In my opinion the Lighthouse Digest report is incorrect.

The lighthouse and house in that stamp look very much like Race Point and look nothing like long Point- except the lighthouse is whitre.

The Lighthouse on the stamp is round as is Race Point and Long Point is a square shape.

I could be wrong but I am of the opinion that the Lighthouse Depot report is wrong.

Dennis

Funny that the museum that houses the painting thinks it's Stage Harbor. I'll agree that it's Long Point.

http://www.huntington.org/ArtDiv/LongLegPict.html

http://www.lighthouse.cc/longpoint/history.html

http://www.uscg.mil/history/weblighthouses/stageharbor.JPG

Well, I'll admit that after seeing the painting more clearly I'll admit it's definitely not Race Point.

I'm not so sure it's Long Point though- the shape of the lighthouse does not look quite right and the lantern room of the lighthouse does not look quite right either

It could of course be artistic liscense by the artist. He may have used aspects from more than one lighthouse for the one in the painting.

Dennis

If you look at this old postcard, http://www.lighthouse.cc/longpoint/pc1.html

and since the painting was done in 1935, it looks like Long Point's lantern was changed. I think it matches.

Laura,

I still don't see the shape of the lighthouse or lantern room in the painting matching with the post cards or photos of Long Point unless you take into account artistic license.

I admit I may be wrong but that's how I see it.

Dennis

You're right Dennis, somehow I was comparing the postcard with the old picture of Long Point, instead of the larger picture of the painting. It is a sqare tower, like in the painting, but the roof line of the dwelling is different. I think you are probably right, its artistic license.

While the tower and keeper's house is not exactly spot on the big mound next to the house is in both the painting and the old photos/postcards.

First Day Issue Ceremony was held today in Biloxi. The Ceremony was held on the beach in front of the lighthouse, a perfict setting! It was a nice ceremony, although HOT... very HOT! I stood in line in the sun for over 2 hours just to buy my stamps and other idems.

Can anyone guess what will be in my envelopes for the next IN-Envelope Postcard Exchange?

I forgot to take my camera so I don't have photos to post.... sorry!

Here is the local TV new's report:
http://www.wlox.com/global/story.asp?s=10778022

The Weather Channel did a nice story on these last night.

I can't believe you did that (or would that be "didn't do that? . . .) We may have to send you to stand in the corner for a while!

Glad you had a good time.

I like the stamps. I need to add them to my collection