How embarrassing

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Fri April 15th, 2011, 8:19 pm

Just saw this morning that the USPS is coming out with a new stamp with the image of the Statue of Liberty. Only, after the stamps were already printed, it was discovered that the picture isn't of the real statue, but of the fake one in Las Vegas.

Since the stamps are already done, they're leaving them as is.

BrianPK · Post by **BrianPK** » Fri April 15th, 2011, 11:08 pm

Some red faces around ,I dare say but worse things have happened.I saw a fascinating documentary recently about the construction of the statue.I just knew about it being a gift from France but not a whole lot more.It was very interesting to see actual pictures of the statue at it's various stages of construction. My wife has been to see it on one of her two visits to New York. I've not been to the States but if I were to go I'd like to visit some of the Civil War sites,Gettysburg and Fredericksburg especially.I've read quite a bit about that war.Shelby Foote's three volume work is a revelation, especially.

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Fri April 15th, 2011, 11:35 pm

Only, after the stamps were already printed, it was discovered that the picture isn't of the real statue, but of the fake one in Las Vegas.

This is hilarious! On more than one level.

Ludmilla · Post by **Ludmilla** » Sat April 16th, 2011, 2:10 pm

The one in Las Vegas is part of the New York New York Casino. I'm sure the attention is good for business. That casino has a huge roller coster above it that my husband has been threatening to take me on. I'm not a thrill seeker, so there is no way I will ever go on that coaster, but I'm sure when my youngest daughter, who does have a daring personality, is old enough, she'll be tempted to ride it.

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Sat April 16th, 2011, 2:33 pm

Ooh, if you really want "thrills" then you should go on one of the rides at the top of the space needle-type building (the name of it escapes me at the moment). They have a roller coaster and a couple of other rides that are on the outside, at the top, hundreds of feet up in the air. I have a fear of heights, so wild horses couldn't make me. I love big thrilling rides, but only if I can get in them at ground level.

stu1883 · Post by **stu1883** » Sun April 17th, 2011, 9:45 am

Can I ask - what is the difference? If someone hadn't leaked the story, would you know any difference?

Telynor · Post by **Telynor** » Sun April 17th, 2011, 8:59 pm

Here's the stamp:

And here is the actual statue in NYC:

The real one has different hair, better defined features.

My partner, J, is a postal employee and his jaw hit the floor when I told him about the snafu. All the way around, it's pretty embarrassing. You would think that someone would check, but noooooooooo...

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Mon April 18th, 2011, 1:05 am

The real one has different hair, better defined features.

Yeah, but who can resist the pouty lips and bedroom eyes on the Vegas one?

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Mon April 18th, 2011, 1:58 am

[quote=""stu1883""]If someone hadn't leaked the story, would you know any difference?[/quote] Yes there are differences -- that is how the mistake was discovered, is that someone (it hasn't been released who) saw the stamp and noticed the telltale differences. As others have said, the details on the Vegas one are more well-defined, and don't have the aged, weathered look of the real lady who has been subjected to ocean air in New York harbor.

But the thing that gave it away is that the Vegas one has a small white patch on the crown (which is highly visible on the stamp) -- I don't think this is widely known, but someone who was familiar with this saw the stamp and knew immediately that a mistake had been made.

I heard on the news the other night that this isn't the first big blooper the USPS has made. Apparently a few years ago they issued stamps with a picture of the Grand Canyon that said "Grand Canyon, Colorado."

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Mon April 18th, 2011, 8:58 am

Yep, the one on the stamp looks much newer! I see what you mean about the pout too....