Hit hard by impacts on first class and marketing mail volume during the pandemic shutdown, the largely self-funded United States Postal Service estimated its losses could be around $2 billion a month for 18 months. This week, the postal service reported a less dire financial picture stemming from a rise in e-commerce packages. Still, the agency warned Congress that the bump could be temporary and federal assistance is needed, reports The Washington Post. 

For art galleries, auction houses and museums, the USPS offers competitive rates for mass-mailing marketing fliers, catalogues and art books to clientele. 

In support of this essential service, contact your legislators, and select from an array of art-inspired stamps which can be bought online, to send through the USPS to friends and clients, now or later on. See the Forever stamps featuring American Gardens, Voices of the Harlem Renaissance, Maine Statehood with Edward Hopper artwork, and "Madonna and Child" by Bachiacca (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

Have on hand some striking Americana stamps in small denominations including the 1 cent Tiffany Lamp, 2 cent Navajo Necklace, and 3 cent Silver Coffeepot. There is also a $2 Statue of Freedom stamp, based on the classic 1920s stamp featuring the helmeted statue on top the U.S. Capitol dome by 19th century sculptor Thomas Crawford.

In the online gift shop, a colorful Ellsworth Kelly oversized postcard set comes with matching Forever stamps.

A Ruth Asawa Forever stamp, featuring the artist's undulating wire sculptures, will be released in August.

While a federal agency, the Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.