Empire State Building Postage Stamps | Celebrate the Century 1930s | New York City | NYC | Architecture | Vintage Unused USPS Postage 32c

Add iconic New York City architecture and vintage American history to your letters with these unused Empire State Building postage stamps from the USPS Celebrate the Century — 1930s series! Featuring a pencil-sketch illustration of the Empire State Building by artist Paul Calle, this classic design is perfect for adding Art Deco style, New York City character, architectural imagery, and historic charm to save-the-dates, wedding invitations, thank you cards, destination wedding mail, engagement announcements, anniversary correspondence, travel-themed stationery, and other snail mail.

In pristine mint condition and valid for current postage use, each stamp holds a face value of 32-cents. These authentic USPS postage stamps are suitable for current mailing when used with the total required postage based on the weight of your mailing. These are NOT forever stamps — you must combine additional postage with this stamp to mail your correspondence according to current USPS postage rate requirements.

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Stamp Name: Empire State Building
• Stamp Series: Celebrate the Century — 1930s
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32-cents (USD) per stamp
• Topic(s): Empire State Building, New York City, Manhattan, Skyscraper, Architecture, Art Deco, American Landmarks, 1930s, Paul Calle, Celebrate the Century, New York, Travel, Historic Buildings, USPS Commemorative Stamps
• Color(s): Blue, Black, White, Multicolored
• Mailing Occasions: Wedding Invitations, Save-the-Dates, New York Weddings, Destination Weddings, City Weddings, Art Deco Weddings, Architecture-Themed Weddings, Engagement Announcements, Anniversary Cards, Travel Mailings, Thank You Notes, Everyday Correspondence
• Printing Method: Offset and Intaglio
• Scott Number: 3185b
• Adhesion Type: Gummed (see adhesion instructions below)
• Stamp Size: 30 x 30 mm / 1.19 × 1.19 in
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP DESCRIPTION & HISTORY: The 1998 Empire State Building stamp was issued as part of the USPS Celebrate the Century — 1930s pane and commemorates one of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the world. Illustrator Paul Calle created the pencil-sketch artwork, while Howard Paine designed the pane. Issued on September 10, 1998, at the Terminal Tower Building in Cleveland, Ohio, the 32-cent stamp paid the contemporary First-Class Mail rate. It was printed by Ashton-Potter (USA) Ltd. using offset and intaglio printing and appeared in a pane of 15 different stamps devoted to people, events, culture, technology, and landmarks associated with the 1930s. The stamp specifically honors the completion of the Empire State Building in 1931, when the 102-story skyscraper became the tallest building in the world. On the back, you'll find the following text: "Completed in 1931, New York City's Empire State Building has 102 stories and rises 1,250 feet above the ground."

ABOUT THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING: Owned by many famous individuals over the years, the land where the Empire State Building stands was originally sold for just $2,600 by the City of New York. Its official opening in 1931 was announced by President Herbert Hoover, who turned on the lights from Washington, DC. Construction of the Empire State Building began in 1930, with workers building the frame at a rapid pace of 4 1/2 stories per week. Surprisingly, it only took them one year and 45 days to complete the building, including work on Sundays and holidays. Photographer Lewis Hine even documented their work from 1,000 feet above Fifth Avenue in a specially designed basket. Boasting 102 floors, 73 elevators, and 6,500 windows, the Empire State Building held the title of world's tallest building until 1972. Today, it remains a beloved symbol of New York City and a must-see for any visitor. 

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Empire State Building design can symbolize ambition, achievement, resilience, aspiration, urban energy, and reaching toward new heights. Its soaring Art Deco form represents human creativity and determination, making the stamp especially fitting for weddings, engagements, graduations, milestone celebrations, destination events, and correspondence marking important new chapters.

STAMP SERIES HISTORY: The USPS Celebrate the Century series was launched in 1998 to commemorate defining people, events, achievements, culture, and everyday life across the 20th century. The complete program included ten sheets of 15 stamps each, with every pane devoted to a different decade. The 1930s pane was the fourth sheet in the series and included subjects such as Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Golden Gate Bridge, Jesse Owens, Gone With the Wind, the Monopoly game, and the Empire State Building. Each stamp also carried historical information on the reverse, turning the series into a visual timeline of American life and culture. Completed in 2000, this extensive series is the longest and most ambitious commemorative stamp series in US history.