WASHINGTON, DC — The price for a one-ounce First-Class stamp will increase from 41 to 42 cents on May 12.

Prices for other mailing services, such as standard mail, periodicals, package services and special services will also change. The average increase by class of mail is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

“The Postal Service developed the Forever Stamp for consumers to ease the transition during price changes,” said Postmaster General John Potter. “We encourage Americans to buy Forever Stamps now for 41 cents, because like the name suggests, they are good forever.”

The Postal Service has sold 5 billion Forever Stamps since the launch last April and plans to have an additional 5 billion in stock to meet the expected demand before the May price change.

Demand for the Forever Stamp continues to increase, the Postal Service reports. In the past several weeks, Postal Service customers have been buying Forever Stamps at a rate of about 30 million per day, bringing the amount sold to more than 6 billion since they were first offered in April 2007.

"We knew the Forever Stamp would be a big hit with our customers and we continue to replenish our stock to meet demand," said Postal Service Consumer Advocate Delores Killette. "We introduced these stamps as a customer convenience to ease the transition during price changes, and they also deliver economic value."

Forever Stamps, featuring an image of the Liberty Bell, are available for purchase at Post Offices nationwide, online at usps.com, by phone at 1-800-STAMP-24, and from Automated Postal Centers and ATMs. They are sold in booklets of 20 and sheetlets of 18.

Detailed information about all the new prices, including ways to save on Express Mail and Priority Mail, is available at usps.com/prices.