SYD KRONISH | Stamps USPS continues lighthouse series

Lighthouses in America are still serving their original purpose -- navigational aids for ships at sea, especially during storms. Furthermore, they typify the beauty and colorful history of the nation's lighthouses popularized in books, movies and television.
The U.S. Postal Service continues its series of lighthouse stamps with the issuance of five new ones featuring lighthouses in the southeast area of the United States. These five structures are Old Cape Henry, Cape Lookout, Morris Island Lighthouse, Tybee Island Lighthouse and the Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse.
Old Cape Henry is located on the grounds of Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Va. It was the first lighthouse constructed by the U.S. government and began protecting the southern mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in 1792. It was replaced by a new lighthouse in 1881 and continued to be used as a navigational aid by vessels sailing around Cape Henry.
Cape Lookout Lighthouse is located on Core Banks along Cape Lookout National Seashore near Beaufort. N.C. It was activated in 1859, replacing a smaller tower established in 1812. The lighthouse warned ships of the dangerous hidden shoals near the cape. It became automated in 1950.
Morris Island Lighthouse is at the entrance to the harbor of Charleston, S.C. It began operation in 1876 on the site of an earlier lighthouse that had been established in 1767 but destroyed during the Civil War. Since the late 19th century, this historical lighthouse has weathered hurricanes, a major earthquake and total erosion of the land around its foundation. But it still stands.
Tybee Island Lighthouse was built in 1773 on Tybee Island, east of Savannah, Ga. After the Civil War, it was rebuilt and restored. Marking the mouth of the Savannah River, this lighthouse continued to guide ships safety into the harbor. This octagonal lighthouse now appears as it did in earlier days.
The Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse was built in Detroit and was erected before being shipped in parts to its present location near Pompano Beach, Fla. It was reassembled and activated in 1907. Fully automated since 1974, its beam can be seen from a distance of more than 20 miles.
The new quintet of lighthouses will be issued by the postal service June 13, with first-day ceremonies in Tybee Island.
Favorite
Howard Koslow, designer of the 2003 lighthouse stamps, is a favorite of the U.S. Postal Service.
His previous projects include eight 1940s "Celebrate The Century" stamps, five 1995 stamps portraying Great Lakes lighthouses and four stamps featuring jazz-blues singers Mildred Bailey, Billie Holiday, Jimmy Rushing and Bessie Smith in 1994.
He also designed several stamped cards including Carnegie Hall in 1991, Ellis Island in 1992 and the National Cathedral in 1993.