The Postal Service issued the 39-cent American Motorcycles commemorative stamps in four designs in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of twenty stamps, on August 7, 2006, in Sturgis, South Dakota, during the 66th City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, designed the stamps.
With this issuance, the Postal Service recognizes the role of motorcycles in American culture. The stamps feature digital illustrations of a 1918 Cleveland, a 1940 Indian Four, a 1965 Harley Davidson Electra-Glide, and a circa 1970 chopper.
The digital illustrations were created by Steve Buchanan of Winsted, Connecticut, and were based on existing restored motorcycles, reference photographs, and consultation with owners and experts; however, some colors and design features have been altered for artistic purposes or to maintain historical accuracy.
Avery Dennison manufactured the 85 million stamps in the gravure process.
