New Arrigoni Bridge Stamp First Day of Issue Ceremony to be Held August 24th
PORTLAND, CT — The Portland Historical Society, The Connecticut Cover Club and The Town of Portland have joined forces to introduce to the public the new Arrigoni Bridge stamp being issued by the United States Postal Service (USPS) on August 24, 2023. The first day of issue ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM in the Mary Lou Rice Room at the Portland Senior Center, 7 Waverly Avenue, Portland, Connecticut. The public is invited.
The Arrigoni Bridge stamp is one of four in a series of stamps being issued honoring famous bridges in The United States, including Nebraska (Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge), Oklahoma (Skydance Bridge, also known as the Scissortail Bridge), and Iowa/Illinois (Iowa-Illinois Memorial Bridge). The USPS has designated Portland, Connecticut as the official first day of issue city. The USPS is issuing these stamps as $0.25 Presorted First-Class Mail coil stamps intended for use only by commercial bulk mailers. The USPS is selling stamps to businesses in coils of 3,000 (@ $750.00 per coil) and 10,000 (@ $2,500.00 per coil). A permit is required for use of the stamp. A total of 620,100,000 stamps were printed, a print run significantly larger than most USPS issues.
The Arrigoni Bridge (left) spans the Connecticut River and connects the towns of Portland and Middletown. The bridge was dedicated on August 6, 1938, and is named for State Senator Charles J. Arrigoni who was instrumental in its development. The other bridges are (continuing from left) the Kerry, Skydance, and Iowa-Illinois.
The first day of issue ceremony will include welcoming remarks by Master of Ceremonies Foster Miller, a Director of The American First Day Cover Society, a presentation of the colors by Portland VFW Post 1621, singing of The National Anthem by Paul Sienkiewicz, the unveiling of the Arrigoni Bridge stamp, an overview of the history of the bridge by Jonathan Ives, Senior Project manager with Tighe & Bond, Middletown, Connecticut, and comments on the significance of a first day of issue by Connecticut Cover Club president Rich Hoffman. Portland’s First Selectman Ryan Curley will talk about the importance of the bridge to Portland, Middletown and Middlesex County and will introduce local and state officials, dignitaries, and other invited guests.
Descendants of Senator Arrigoni, represented by family member Dan Pickett, Associate Director, Yale University Office of Development, will introduce the Arrigoni family members in attendance.
After the ceremony there will be a cutting of the “stamp cake” with light refreshments.
A limited number of strips of four stamps will be sold after the event for $1.00 per strip while supply lasts. Strips of 25 stamps can also be purchased at The Portland Post Office, 320 Main St., Portland, Connecticut for $6.25 per strip. Note that these stamps are not intended for consumer use for First-Class Mail. The First-Class Mail rate is currently $0.66.
The Connecticut Cover Club has also compiled a list of stamps issued in Connecticut which they will distribute at the ceremony. You can download your own copy here.