USPS will release stamps on Friday, Aug. 16, that capture the drama of trees in a biochemical blaze of glory as they get ready for winter.
The Autumn Colors stamps will be dedicated during the Great American Stamp Show in Hartford, CT.
The leaves of deciduous trees appear green in spring and summer because of the continuous production of chlorophyll — a result of photosynthesis. As days grow short and nights get cool, chlorophyll production plummets and the leaves begin to show their true colors.
Autumnal hues of orange and yellow stem from carotenoids — chemicals in the leaves that begin to show as chlorophyll fades.
Dark red leaves are created by a more involved process and get their color from anthocyanins, part of a class of chemicals called flavonoids.
The stamps feature 10 images by photographer Allen Rokach (1941-2021), who is known for a technique called the “Rokach effect,” which gives the images an impressionistic cast.
Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using Rokach’s photographs.
Autumn Colors stamps will be issued in panes of 20 and will be available at Post Offices and on usps.com.