6022a – 2025 First-Class Forever Stamp – Barbara Bush Imperforate

US #6022a
2025 Barbara Bush

• Imperforate stamp
• Commemorates 100th birthday of Barbara Bush
• Honors former First Lady and mother of President

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Value:  73¢, First-Class mail rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue:  June 10, 2025
First Day City:  Kennebunkport, Maine
Quantity Issued:  10,000,000
Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method: Offset / Flexographic, Microprint
Format:  Pane of 20

Why the stamp was issued:  This stamp was issued in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Barbara Bush.

About the stamp design:  The Barbara Bush stamp is based on her official 2005 White House portrait. The artwork was revealed during a White House ceremony on May 8, 2025.

First Day City:  The First Day of Issue ceremony took place at Ganny’s Garden on the Green in Kennebunkport, Maine. The garden was a gift to Barbara from family and friends.

History the stamp represents:  Barbara Pierce Bush (June 8, 1925 – April 17, 2018) was born in New York City and raised in Rye. She met George H.W. Bush at a school dance in 1941, and they married four years later. Through wartime separations, political campaigns, and public life, she remained her husband’s steady partner and trusted confidante. Their marriage spanned 73 years and brought six children, including George W. Bush, the 43^rd president.
Barbara served as first lady from 1989 to 1993, focusing on promoting literacy across the United States. In 1989, she founded the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, believing that reading was essential for strong families, and a stronger nation. The following year, she published Millie’s Book, written from the perspective of the Bush family dog, with proceeds supporting literacy efforts she championed.
She was known for her white hair, sensible shoes, and faux pearls – but also for her frankness, wit, and quiet strength. Older women especially saw themselves in her, and many admired the dignity with which she carried her public role. Barbara Bush will be remembered as a beloved first lady, literacy advocate, and enduring symbol of strength, wit, and grace.

Scarce Modern Imperforates
In 2012, modern imperforate stamps were one of the hottest stories around.  The US Postal Service released some issues as press sheets.  The sheets with die cut perforations were issued in limited quantities. 
To the surprise of many collectors, officials then issued a small number of press sheets without perforations.  The uncut sheets were only available in Kansas City, Missouri, and most sold out immediately.  In an instant, the imperforate stamp sheets became modern rarities.  For example, only 75,000 Baseball All-Star se-tenant sheets were issued compared to 118,000 Bugs Bunny sheets with the 10th stamp imperforate.
In a controversial move, the editors of Scott Catalogue announced they would not list or give numbers to these stamps because they did not fit Scott guidelines.  This decision was strongly debated since the imperforate stamps are valid for postage.  They eventually decided to give the stamps minor numbers.
Because they are issued in such limited quantities, these scarce modern imperforates can be difficult to find.  Luckily Mystic purchases a small number of each imperforate stamp issued so you can add these modern rarities to your collection.  Be one of the lucky few – order today.