1988 EARTH and 'E' 2277 Plate Block of 4 x 25 cents US Postage Stamps

In 1988, following the USPS's announcement that the first-class letter rate would change to 25, the non-denominated "E" stamp was issued. Responding to unfavorable comments concerning the "drab" appearance of the previous non-denominated issues, the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee decided to link the stamp subject to the letter E. Shown from a moon's-eye view, the dramatic "Earth" design appears almost three dimensional. Printed in sheet, coil, and booklet form, this issue provided a colorful and attractive stamp with a popular topical theme - space.