WASHINGTON - The U.S. Postal Service commemorates the contributions of four U.S. Supreme Court associate justices - Joseph Story, Louis D. Brandeis, Felix Frankfurter and William J. Brennan Jr. - on a stamp souvenir sheet issued nationwide today.

During a special ceremony at the U.S. Supreme Court in the nation's capital, the stamps were dedicated by U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors member Thurgood Marshall Jr., son of the associate justice who was honored on a stamp in 2003.

"The four Supreme Court associate justices we honor today reflect the body, mind, soul and heart of one of the world's leading judicial systems," said Marshall. "Today, as I stand before you, I am awed at what these four men represent. It is with great pride that we commemorate on stamps the contributions of these four associate justices to the development of American jurisprudence."

Marshall was joined in dedicating the stamp souvenir sheet by Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts Jr., Postmaster General John E. Potter and Washington, DC Postmaster Yverne "Pat" Moore.

Art director Ethel Kessler worked with Lisa Catalone-Castro and Rodolfo Castro on the inspired design of the souvenir sheet that incorporates images of the Supreme Court building and a detail from the first page of the United States Constitution.

The four associate justices honored are:

Joseph Story (1779-1845)

Joseph Story ranks as one of the nation's most influential jurists. The author of dozens of volumes of legal commentary, Story, who viewed law as a science, gave shape to American jurisprudence while also making the law more accessible to practicing attorneys. His devotion to the uniform enforcement of federal regulations by all the states helped establish the preeminence of the Supreme Court.


Louis D. Brandeis (1856-1941)

Louis Brandeis was the associate justice most responsible for helping the Supreme Court shape the tools it needed to interpret the Constitution in light of the sociological and economic conditions of the 20th century. "If we would guide by the light of reason," he once exhorted his colleagues, "we must let our minds be bold." A progressive and champion of reform, Brandeis devoted his life to social justice.

Felix Frankfurter (1882-1965)

Felix Frankfurter was arguably one of the most enigmatic and controversial figures ever to sit on the Supreme Court. As the Court's strongest proponent of judicial restraint, Frankfurter, who served 23 years as an associate justice, believed that judges should disregard their own social views when making decisions. "History teaches," he wrote, "that the independence of the judiciary is jeopardized when courts become embroiled in the passions of the day."

William J. Brennan Jr. (1906-1997)

William J. Brennan Jr. was the author of numerous landmark decisions and the inspiration behind many others. He believed that law is an essential force for social and political change. The Court's most determined opponent of the death penalty, he championed equal rights for all citizens and steadfastly regarded the Constitution as a living document that should be interpreted to fit modern life.


First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others, and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States Stamp
Special Cancellations
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by Nov. 23, 2009.

First-Day Covers
Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014