$28.75 Great Smoky Mountains Forever Stamps

Value:??$28.75 Express Mail Rate First Day of Issue:??January 22, 2023 First Day City(s):??Gatlinburg, Tennessee Printed by:??Banknote Corporation of America Printing Method:??Offset, Microprint Format:??Pane of 4 US issued stamp for $28.75 Express Mail rate. Design by Dan Cosgrove, it pictures mountain scenery near Newfound Gap with a red-tailed hawk. Gatlinburg, Tennessee, was the First Day City, but no ceremony was held. American Landmarks Series started in 2008, featuring iconic places. Cosgrove’s digital illustrations resemble a virtual tour of America. The Great Smoky Mountains, bordering Tennessee and North Carolina, are home to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Established in 1934, it’s an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting over 11 million visitors annually. With around 187,000 acres of old-growth forest, the park hosts diverse habitats for black bears and salamanders. Named for the mist and fog enveloping valleys due to heavy rainfall, the Great Smoky Mountains offer breathtaking views, especially during sunrises and sunsets.