NEW YORK.- One of the most unique collections of stamps and stamp art ever assembled was unveiled today at the American Stamp Dealers Association’s (ASDA) Mega Event stamp show.

Called "Treasures from the Stamp Vault," the PMG’s Collection features many priceless items never seen before by the public.  It is on display today through Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26. Admission is free.

"The Postal Service has one of the largest and finest collections of stamps and stamp art in the world," said Postmaster General John E. Potter. "I’m proud to share this spectacular collection with the American people. Through our stamp program, the Postal Service has the unique ability to depict with beauty and style the people, places and events that have made this nation great.  Now the public has the chance to see some of the most historic pieces of this collection."

Among those participating in the ribbon cutting ceremony were Elizabeth Pope, president, ASDA; Janet Klug, president, American Philatelic Society; and David Failor, executive director, Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service.

Featured in the exhibit are the die proofs of such famous issues as the 1918 inverted Jenny airmail stamp; the approval die proofs and full panes of the 1930 Graf Zeppelin airmail stamps; the 1953 New York City 300th anniversary commemorative stamp artwork, models die proofs and full pane; and the Norman Rockwell designs for stamps including reproduction of original artwork and rejected models.

And postage stamp contests didn’t start with Elvis.  You’ll see the winning designs from stamp competitions held in 1937 and 1963.  Two other unique displays feature the mail pouch that carried philatelic items to the moon and preliminary designs for stamps that were never produced.

For most of us, postage stamps exist only in their final form – the stamps we use when we send our mail.  But that’s only a small part of the much bigger story this spectacular exhibit helps to tell.  This is a rare opportunity to see some of the greatest rarities from the Postal Service.

Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail.  It is an independent federal agency that visits 141 million homes and businesses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation.  The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services.  With annual revenues of more than $68.9 billion, it is the world’s leading provider of mail and delivery services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world.  The Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world’s mail volume -- some 202 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year -- and serves seven million customers each day at its 40,000 retail locations nationwide.