Medal of Honor: Vietnam War (U.S. 2015)

Posted on February 20, 2015 by VSC

Updated May 20th: Here are the inside pages for the booklet, with photographs of most of the living recipients.

But not one, the one who lives closest to the first day ceremony, in a Washington suburb: He hates his official DOD photo, and wouldn’t give permission for its use!

If you click on the pictures, you’ll get larger versions on which the text should be readable.

Updated May 13th: Here are the first day postmarks for this issue: size: 2.16″ x 2.60″3.96″ x 1.97″

Updated April 15th from the Postal Bulletin:

On May 25, 2015, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue Medal of Honor: Vietnam War First-Class Mail® Forever® stamps, in three designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) prestige folio of 24 stamps (Item 589700).

The stamps will go on sale nationwide May 25, 2015.

In October 2014, the U.S. Postal Service invited the last living Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients to join in honoring the extraordinary courage of every member awarded the medal for their valorous actions during the war. The first and fourth pages of this four-page prestige folio display photographs of the 48 living recipients of the Medal of Honor from the Vietnam War who agreed to be part of this issuance. The photographs on each of these pages surround a group of 12 Forever stamps (24 total), consisting of three different designs, one for each version of the Medal of Honor: that of the Army, the Navy (also presented to members of the Marine Corps), and the Air Force. Page two contains a short piece of text and a key to the individuals pictured. Page three features an alphabetical listing of those individuals who agreed to be included and of the deceased Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the prestige folio and the stamps, working with photographs of the medals by Richard Frasier.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Medal of Honor: Vietnam War Stamps
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers have to pay five cents each. All orders must be postmarked by July 24, 2015.

There are nine philatelic products for this stamp issue:

589706 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $35.28 (print quantity 1,000)
589708 Press Sheet without Die-cut, $35.28 (print quantity 1,500)
589710 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (set of 3), $16.95
589716 First-Day Cover (set of 3), $2.79
589721 Digital Color Postmark (set of 3), $4.92
589724 Framed Art, $39.95
589730 Ceremony Program, $6.95
589731 Stamp Deck Card, $0.95
589732 Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark (random stamp), $1.99

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Medal of Honor: Vietnam War Stamps
Item Number: 589700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Prestige Folio of 24 (3 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: May 25, 2015, Washington DC 20066
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Photographer: Richard Frasier, Vienna, VA
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 24
Print Quantity: 30 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Metallic Gold, Gray
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.5 x 17.0 in./7.5 x 8.5 mm (folded)
Press Sheets Size  (w x h): 22.5 x 17.00 in./ 571.50 x 431.80 mm
Plate Size: 72 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings: © 2015 USPS • Plate position diagram  • Barcode (589700) • Promotional text

Updated March 24th: First day ceremony information from the USPS: Medal of Honor Vietnam
Memorial Day, May 25 at 1:30 p.m.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in DC

From the USPS Conference Call earlier in the month:
May 25th, Washington first day: 1 p.m. ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial “The Wall.” The front and back of the panes will be a little different than previous Medal of Honor issues. There are 48 living recipients who have agreed to be part of this. Some will be depicted on the front, some on the back, and a listing of all the recipients will be “inside.” Panes of 24. More from the USPS:
With Medal of Honor: Vietnam War, the U.S. Postal Service® issues its third prestige folio.

This format consists of a large sheet folded in half to form four separate pages. When folded, the two-pane design is 8 ½ inches wide by 7 ½ inches tall.

The first and fourth pages (front and back) display photographs of the 48 living recipients who agreed to be part of the Medal of Honor Vietnam War issuance.

The photographs on each of these pages surround a group of 12 Forever® stamps (24 total), consisting of three different designs, one for the Medal of Honor: for the Army, the Navy (also presented to members of the Marine Corps), and for the Air Force (1960s).

Page two contains selvage text and a key to the individuals pictured. Page three consists of an alphabetical listing of those living individuals who agreed to be included and of the deceased Medal of Honor recipients from the Vietnam War.

Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the prestige folio and the stamps, working with photographs of the medals by Richard Frasier.

Currently finalizing and getting approval for photographs of the living recipients.

[March 5th press release]

Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipients To be Recognized on Forever Stamp Sheet
Stamps to be Dedicated Memorial Day at Vietnam Veterans Memorial

WASHINGTON — Sun., March 8, marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the ground war in Vietnam with the deployment of 3,500 Marines. By war’s end on April 30, 1975, nearly 3 million service men and women fought in the conflict that would take the lives of more than 58,000 Americans.

Of those who served during the Vietnam War, 258 were awarded the Medal of Honor. More than six out of 10 award recipients made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives while performing the courageous acts for which they were later honored. American military advisers had been involved in South Vietnam since the 1950s.

The Postal Service will honor these brave Americans by dedicating the Limited Edition Vietnam War Medal of Honor Prestige Folio Forever stamps on Memorial Day, May 25. The 1 p.m. ceremony, hosted by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and the National Park Service, will take place at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The event is free and open to the public.

The Prestige Folio stamp sheet depicting many of the nearly 50 living Vietnam War recipients will be previewed later. The folio, which lists the names of all 258 recipients, will be modeled after the World War II and Korean War Medal of Honor Prestige Folio stamp sheets issued in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

Nation’s Most Prestigious Military Decoration
The Medal of Honor is our nation’s most prestigious military decoration. It is awarded by the president of the United States on behalf of Congress to members of the armed services who distinguish themselves through “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States.

The Medal of Honor traces its origins to the first year of the Civil War, when Congress saw the need for a formal means of recognizing or rewarding acts of heroism. In 1861, James W. Grimes, a senator from Iowa, introduced a bill to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” by distributing “medals of honor.” President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill into law on Dec. 21, 1861. Lincoln signed a similar measure on behalf of the U.S. Army on July 12, 1862, and the country had two Medals of Honor: one for sailors, and one for soldiers.

Three Versions of the Medal of Honor
There are now three similar, yet distinct, versions of the Medal of Honor, one for each Military Department (Army, Navy, and Air Force). The medals are similar in that each consists of a variation of a five-pointed star worn around the neck on a light blue ribbon. The Navy version is awarded to those serving in the Navy and Marine Corps, and during times of war, to members of the Coast Guard. The Air Force, which was established as an independent department in 1947, adopted its distinctive Medal of Honor in 1965. The first presentation of the U.S. Air Force’s medal took place in 1967 during the Vietnam War.

Missing Children (U.S. 2015)

Posted on February 20, 2015 by VSC

Updated May 13th: Here is the first-day Digital Color Postmark for this issue: size: 2.47″ x 1.23″. The Black & White or “rubber” postmark is the standard FDOI 4-bar.

Updated April 15 from the Postal Bulletin:
On May 18, 2015, in Anaheim, CA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Missing Children First-Class Mail® Forever® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 473100).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide May 18, 2015.

Affirming its long-standing commitment to help find missing children, the U.S. Postal Service® issues this new stamp to make the public more aware of the ways they can assist — and to offer hope to families as they continue their search. The stamp features a photograph by Harald Biebel showing a small bunch of purple forget-me-nots alongside a single flower. Text at the top of the stamp reads “FORGET-ME-NOT.” Text along the bottom of the stamp reads “HELP FIND MISSING CHILDREN.” The pane’s verso text discusses this important issue, describes the program that delivers materials featuring photos of missing children to millions of American homes, and provides contact information for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.

Missing Children Stamp
Postmaster
Anaheim Post Office
701 North Loera Street
Anaheim, CA 92803-2282

There are eight philatelic products for this stamp issue:

473106 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 500)
473108, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 1,500)
473110 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95
473116 First-Day Cover, $0.93
473121 Digital Color Postmark, $1.64
473130 Ceremony Program, $6.95
473131 Stamp Deck Card, $0.95
473132 Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark, $1.99

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Missing Children Stamp
Item Number: 473100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: May 18, 2015, Anaheim, CA 92803
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Existing Photo: Harald Biebel
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 60 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 159 Orange
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 0.84 in./36.07 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.98 in./39.62 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.24 x 6.20 in./183.90 x 157.48 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 21.72 x 12.53 in./551.69 x 318.14 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: Front: Plate numbers in two corners of pane  • Year of Issue • Header “Help Find Missing Children”
Back: © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (473100) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text • Verso text

Updated April 1 from the Postal Bulletin: There are now also stamped envelopes with this design. The first-day date is May 18th.

From the USPS Conference Call February 20th:
May 25th is Missing Children Day but that date has not yet been confirmed. Pane of 20. The Forget Me Not flower shown on the stamp is the symbol of the campaign. More from the USPS:
This public service message stamp features forget-me-nots. This flower is the symbol used for International Missing Children’s Day.

The photograph on this stamp was taken by Harald Biebel. Ethel Kessler was the art director and designer.

This is the second stamp to bring attention to this issue. In 2006, the USPS issued the AMBER Alert stamp.

This stamp is intended to make the public more aware of ways they can assist in helping find our Missing Children. It offers hope to the families of missing children as they continue their search.

Since 1984, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has helped law enforcement recover more than 205,000 missing children.

The recovery rate for missing children continues to increase, thanks to greater public awareness, law-enforcement training, laws, and technology.

May 25 is National Missing Children’s Day. It is also International Missing Children’s Day.

Ferns Reprints (U.S. 2015)

Posted on February 20, 2015 by VSC

Updated June 10th: In the June 11th Postal Bulletin, the USPS says the paper type for both versions is actually “Paper Type: Non-phosphor Type III, Overall Tagged,” not what was listed below.

Scott catalogue numbers:
4973 (49¢) Soft Shield Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2014”
date
4974 (49¢) Autumn Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS”
and “2014” date
4975 (49¢) Goldie’s Wood Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted
“USPS” and “2014” date
4976 (49¢) Painted Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted
“USPS” and “2014” date
4977 (49¢) Fortune’s Holly Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2014” date
a. Strip of 5, #4973-4977

4973a (49¢) Soft Shield Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2015” date
4974a (49¢) Autumn Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2015” date
4975a (49¢) Goldie’s Wood Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2015” date
4976a (49¢) Painted Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2015” date
4977a (49¢) Fortune’s Holly Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2015” date
4977c Strip of 5, #4973a-4977a

Updated March 4th: From the Postal Bulletin:

On March 27, 2015, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue Ferns First-Class Mail® stamps (Forever® priced at 49 cents) in five designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 3,000 (Item #786700) along with a reprint of the coil of 10,000 (Item #777300). The 3k coil has a 2015 date in the upper right corner of the stamps and the 10k coil has a 2014 date in the lower left corner of the stamps.

The stamps will go on sale nationwide March 27, 2015.

First issued in 2014, these five stamps celebrate the beauty and elegance of ferns. Each of these stamps depicts a close-up photograph of a different species of fern —autumn fern, Goldie’s wood fern, soft shield fern, Fortune’s holly fern, or painted fern. The shapes and textures of the fronds stand out against a stark white background, which highlights the placement of the leaflets along each fern’s stem. Art director Phil Jordan designed the stamps using existing images by photographer Cindy Dyer.

Ferns Stamps (3k and 10k PSA Coils)
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-0001

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers have to pay five cents each. All orders must be postmarked by May 26, 2015.

There is one philatelic product for the coil of 3,000:

786716 First-Day Cover set of 5, $4.65

There is one philatelic product for the coil of 10,000:

777317 First-Day Cover set of 5, $4.65

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Ferns Stamps
Item Number: 786700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 3,000 (5 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: March 27, 2015, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Designer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Typographer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Existing Photos: Cindy Dyer, Alexandria, VA
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 3,000
Print Quantity: 45 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
Plate Size: 250 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by four (4) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 25th stamp below stamp image

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Ferns Stamps
Item Number: 777300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 10,000 (5 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: March 27, 2015, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Designer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Typographer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Existing Photos: Cindy Dyer, Alexandria, VA
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 100 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
Plate Size: 250 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by four (4) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 25th stamp below stamp image

From the USPS Conference Call on February 20th: Reprint, PSA Coils of 3,000 or 10,000, no event, KC first day (Forever design) one has a 2015 predate, one doesn’t, USPS is checking, new printer, Sennett, using offset; last printer was CCL in gravure. March 27th, Kansas City, no ceremony.

Gifts of Friendship (U.S., 2015)

Posted on February 20, 2015 by VSC

Updated April 15th: The USPS has added a few philatelic products. The new ones are shown in bold:

589806, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $35.28, (print quantity 1,000)
589808 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $35.28 (print quantity 1,500)
589810 Keepsake with Digital Color Postmark, $12.95
589816 First-Day Cover (Set of 4), $3.72
589817 Joint First-Day Cover, (Set of 2), $5.95
589818 Full Pane First-Day Cover, $8.38
589819 Cancelled Full Pane, $8.38
589821 Digital Color Postmark (Set of 4), $6.56
589822 Japan Cancelled Half-Sheet, $5.45
589823 Notecards, $16.95
589824 Framed Art, $39.95
589830 Ceremony Program (random), $6.95
589831 Stamp Deck Card, $0.95
589832 Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark (random), $1.99
801211 Japan Half-Sheet, $2.95

Updated April 11th: Photos from the U.S. first day ceremony are here.

Updated April 10th: VSC member Chris Lazaroff attended the first day in Tokyo, and tells us there wasn’t much of a ceremony there. However, there was quite a bit of activity, with many collectors flocking to the main post office for to service FDCs with one of the four postmarkes — only one of which will be available through the U.S. Postal Service’s Cancellation Services.

On the left is Chris servicing his CL Cachets FDCs. He tells The Virtual Stamp Club he got a few strange looks because of the number of covers he had!

This is Chris standing before the post office where the postmarks were available:Updated April 8th: From the USPS:
Stamp Fulfillment Services will be offering a joint FDC set of 2, each cover will have 2 US and 2 Japan matching stamps. We will also offer a Japan Post half sheet of mint stamps, and a Japan Post half sheet with Japan Post FDOI cancellation. These items will be listed shortly on the Postal Store @ https://store.usps.com/store for purchase. The US stamps and products are available for pre-sale now and others are being added as quickly as possible.

SKU / $ / Issue / Description
589804 $5.88 Gifts of Friendship Souvenir Sheet
589816 $3.72 Gifts of Friendship FDC Set of 4
589818 $8.38 Gifts of Friendship Full Pane FDC
589819 $8.38 Gifts of Friendship CNC Full Pane
589821 $6.56 Gifts of Friendship DCP Set of 4
801211 $2.95 Gifts of Friendship Japan Full Pane
589817 $5.95 Gifts of Friendship set/2 2 US & 2 Japan on each Joint Issue
589822 $5.45 Gifts of Friendship Japan CNC Full Pane

Updated April 4th: It appears FDC servicers and others won’t have to buy an extra 6 Japanese stamps with different designs than the Gifts of Friendship joint issue. From USPS spokesman Mark Saunders:

“We will be offering a Japan Post Sheet of 4 stamps, item 801211 for $2.95; Joint Cover Set of 2 (each cover has 2 US stamps with DCP cancel and 2 Japan Post stamps with Japan Post Pictorial Postmark. We also plan to offer a First Day Cover Cancelled Pane of the Japan Post sheet. I don’t have the item number or price on that one yet. These should be available on the Postal Store within the next week.”

Updated April 1st: Here are the basic Japan Post FDCs for this issue: Here’s a closeup of the Japanese postmark: Updated March 24th: First day ceremony information from the USPS: Two ceremonies
Fri., April 10 at 11 a.m.
Sat. April 11 at 2 p.m.

April 10 – First-Day-of-Issue Stamp Ceremony
Tidal Basin at the Welcome Area Performance Stage (near the Paddle Boats)
1501 Maine Avenue, NW
Washington, DC (event is free and open to the public)

April 11 – Special Dedication Stamp Ceremony
55th Annual Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival
Pennsylvania Ave. Stage (13th Street on Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC (festival requires a $10 admittance fee for ages 13 and older)

Updated March 20th, from the Postal Bulletin:

On April 10, 2015, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Gifts of Friendship (Forever® priced at 49 cents) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhe¬sive (PSA) souvenir sheet of 12 stamps (Item 589800). This is a joint issue with Japan Post who will issue their stamps on the same day. The $5.88 Gifts of Friendship souvenir sheet may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually.

The stamp will go on sale nationwide April 10, 2015.

The U.S. Postal Service and Japan Post jointly issue Gifts of Friendship, a pane of 12 Forever stamps fea¬turing beautiful images of dogwood and cherry blossom trees. This issuance celebrates the enduring bond between two nations on the centennial of the gift of flowering dog¬wood trees from the United States to Japan in 1915. The left side of the pane features four new stamp designs, two created by the Postal Service™ and two by Japan Post. It also includes two Japanese characters meaning “friend¬ship,” the title of the issuance “Gifts of Friendship,” and a short line of selvage text.

On the right side of the pane are eight additional stamps (four each of the two U.S. designs). The first U.S. stamp showcases the Lincoln Memorial with cherry blossoms in the foreground and the second stamp, the U.S. Capitol Building surrounded by pink and white dogwood trees. The Japanese-designed stamps each feature a prominent building in Tokyo: the National Diet Building framed with cherry blossoms and the clock tower outside the National Diet Building behind a foreground of white dogwoods. Text appears on the back of the stamp pane. Stamp artist Paul Rogers worked with art director and designer William J. Gicker to create the stamps. Gicker and Greg Breeding designed the stamp pane. Junko Kaifuchi illustrated the stamps for Japan Post.

Gifts of Friendship Stamps
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

There are twelve philatelic products for this stamp issue:

589806, Press Sheet without Die cut, $35.28, (print quantity 1,000).
589808, Press Sheet with Die cut, $35.28, (print quantity 1,500).
589810 Keepsake with Digital Color Postmark, $12.95.
589816 First-Day Cover (Set of 4), $3.72.
589818 Full Pane First-Day Cover, $8.38.
589819 Cancelled Full Pane, $8.38.
589821 Digital Color Postmark (Set of 4), $6.56.
589823 Notecards, $16.95.
589824 Framed Art, $39.95.
589830 Ceremony Program (random), $6.95.
589831 Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
589832 Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Post¬mark (random), $1.99.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Gifts of Friendship Stamps
Item Number: 589800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 12 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 10, 2015, Washington, DC 20066
Designer: William J Gicker, Washington, DC
Art Director: William J Gicker, Washington, DC
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Paul Rogers, Pasadena, CA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 12
Print Quantity: 80,000,004 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.35 x 0.91 in./34.22 x 23.18 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.49 x 1.05 in./37.78 x 26.74 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.50 x 5.25 in./215.90 x 133.35 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 10.63 x 25.75 in./269.88 x 654.05 mm
Plate Size: 144 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: N/A
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Gifts of Friendship
Back: © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Barcode (589800) • Promotional text • Verso text

Updated March 16th: Here’s what the entire U.S. pane or souvenir sheet will look like. (We’ll try to replace this with a larger, clearer version.) Updated March 8th: Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: From the conference call with the USPS on February 20th: April 10th, joint issue with Japan, in Washington, DC, both Dogwood and Cherry Blossom trees (one stamp for each, 2 stamps from each country). Each country will issue the stamps in panes of 12 stamps. The U.S. panes will have 10 of the U.S. designs, plus two of the Japanese design with the U.S. Forever denomination. It will be the reverse on the Japanese panes: 10 of its designs, plus two of the U.S., all with Japanese denominations. Awaiting agreement and designs from Japan, could be as soon as Monday the 23rd. Coincides with the centennial of when President Taft sent the 50 dogwood trees to Japan, in return for the 3,000+ trees Japan sent the U.S. in 1912.

From the USPS:
In 2015, the U.S. Postal Service and Japan Post will jointly issue Gifts of Friendship, a pane of 12 stamps featuring beautiful images of dogwood and cherry blossom trees. There are two stamp designs for each country…one featuring the dogwood and the other featuring the cherry blossom.

The stamp issuance coincides with the Centennial of President William Howard Taft’s gift of dogwood trees to the people of Japan in 1915.

In early 1912, Tokyo gave the city of Washington, D.C., more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees.

As a show of gratitude for this generous gift, former President Taft arranged to have 50 flowering dogwood trees (Cornus florida) sent to Japan in 1915. This reciprocal gift featured a species of tree native to the eastern United States and Canada.

These gestures of goodwill fostered a rich tradition of exchanging cherry blossom and dogwood trees that continues to this day.
Artist: Paul Rogers
Art Director: Bill Gicker

Here’s what the Japan Post issue will look like: According to Japan Post’s website, the four individual stamps on the left will measure 25.0 mm (0.984 inches) by 35.5 mm (1.398 inches). The stamps on the right will measure 28.0 mm (1.102 inches) by 38.5 mm (1.516 inches). The denominations will be 82 yen (currently 68¢ U.S.) The entire sheet will sell for $6.80; no word yet if the USPS will sell just the two Japanese stamps. The two Japanese stamps show Sakura and the Houses of Parliament and Dogwood and Kenseikinenkan Clock Tower.

A Google translation of the Japan Post page is here.

February 20th Update to U.S. 2015 Stamp Program

Posted on February 20, 2015 by VSC

Quick notes, and not necessarily grammatical or spelled correctly! From the telephone/web conference with Cindy Tackett and others of the U.S. Postal Service’s Stamp Services department. I’ll keep updating this page while the conference is on, so refresh this page for the latest. [Added: Click on the links to go to the specific pages for those issues.]

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Attending: Cindy Tackett, Bill Gicker, Joe Brockert, Mark Saunders, Donna Dow of the USPS; Chad Snee of Linn’s, John Dunn of Mekeel’s/Stamps, Don Neal of ESPER, Foster Miller and Chris Lazaroff of the AFDCS and other groups, Dave Kent of Mekeel’s/Stamps, others.

Upcoming:

Feb. 21st Bobcat reprint @ Aripex

Feb. 27th Stars & Stripes Presort @ Texpex

March 20th Water Lilies @ Garfield Perry

March 26th Martin Ramirez, NYC, 6pm event at the gallery

March 27th Ferns Reprint, PSA Coils of 3,000 or 10,000, no event, KC first day (Forever design) one has a 2015 predate, one doesn’t, USPS is checking, new printer (Sennett) in offset; last printer was CCL in gravure..

late March, From Me To You, trying to lock down the event in Washington. Can’t confirm Greeting Card Association winter meeting (my question)

April 9th, Civil war series, in Appomattox Court House, Va., 11 a.m. ceremony. (Foster points out there is no post office in A.C.H.) Will be doing a product for the entire Civil War series, during the holidays, similar to the limited edition for the War of 1812. Not sure of the format at this time.

April 10th, Gifts of Friendship, joint issue with Japan, in Washington, DC, both Dogwood and Cherry Blossom trees (one stamp for each, 2 stamps from each country). U.S. panes shown to the press. Sheet of 12 stamps, 10 will be the U.S. versions, plus the 2 Japanese stamps. The Japanese designs will have the Forever denomination. It will be the reverse on the Japanese panes. Awaiting agreement and designs from Japan, could be as soon as Monday the 23rd. Coincides with the centennial of when President Taft sent the 50 dogwood trees to Japan, in return for the 3,000+ trees Japan sent the U.S. in 1912.

Date still TBD (possibly April), but design now shown for Special Olympics World Games (which will be held July 25-August 2nd in Los Angeles).

May, Forget Me Not stamp for Missing Children; May 25th is Missing Children Day but that date has not yet been confirmed. Pane of 20. The Forget Me Not flower is the symbol of the campaign. (Image below.)

May 25, Medal of Honor, 3 stamps, for Vietnam, 3rd is Air Force. The front and back of the panes will be a little different. There are 48 living recipients who have agreed to be part of this. Some will be depicted on the front, some on the back, and a listing of all the recipients. Panes of 24. 1 p.m. ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Wall. Coast Guard may be earlier in the summer; the USCG is asking for a reconsideration of the August date.

Illustrations of the full panes of Civil War Year 5: End of conference 10:10 a.m. The VSC 2015 U.S. Stamp Program will be updated this evening.

Canada Issues First Fabric Stamp (2015)

Posted on February 19, 2015 by VSC

[press release]
Canada Post pushes envelope to issue Canada’s first fabric stamp
Two new stamps celebrate 50th anniversary of Canada’s flag

Pushing the boundaries of stamp production, Canada Post has created Canada’s first fabric stamp as a fitting celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Canadian flag, a symbol cherished at home and widely recognized and respected abroad.

Denominated at $5, the innovative stamp uses a satin rayon fabric and special ink to create a durable and spectacular image. Canada Post is also issuing a celebratory Permanent rate stamp that showcases an undulating flag with a blue sky and “50” in the background.

“Our flag is a symbol that resonates with Canadians the world over,” says the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, responsible for Canada Post. “When we see our flag at home, it reminds us of our freedoms and values, and when we see it abroad, it reminds us of home.”

“The flag has become part of the fabric of our lives,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post (shown to the left of the Right Honourable David Johnston (right), Governor General of Canada. “As these stamps travel far and wide, they will be a fitting tribute.”

The flag was flown in public for the first time on February 15, 1965, at an inaugural ceremony before a crowd of thousands on Parliament Hill. It was immediately and enthusiastically embraced – but it had been borne of emotional debate. The first version had been sewn on short notice by a young amateur seamstress, Joan O’Malley, who was asked by her father, a senior civil servant, to sew prototypes during Canada’s flag debate. Her prototype flags helped bring Canada closer to the maple leaf.

The souvenir sheet for this issue is shown on the right.

Canada Post’s tributes to the flag were designed by Kosta Tsetsekas, a veteran stamp designer at Signals, a Vancouver design firm. He and the printer, Canadian Bank Note, collaborated on the painstaking production details of the fabric stamp. A series of tests refined the application of the ink on the fabric and ensured the die cutting would be precise. The result of this extensive planning is a consistently stunning production run that showcases the flag on fabric.

About the stamps
Canada Post is issuing two stamps to celebrate the anniversary of the flag. Canada’s first fabric stamp, printed on a satin rayon fabric, is a self-adhesive $5 stamp that measures 100 mm by 50 mm and is available as a souvenir sheet or affixed to an Official First Day Cover (OFDC) cancelled in Ottawa (shown on the right). One thousand limited edition uncut press sheets, signed by the original seamstress, Joan O’Malley, are also available to mark the occasion. In addition, a Permanent self-adhesive commemorative stamp that measures 40 mm by 32 mm is also available in booklets of 10 or affixed to an OFDC, also cancelled in Ottawa, ON (shown below) A postage-paid picture postcard is also available (below).

Working Sail (Britain, 2015)

Posted on February 10, 2015 by VSC

[press release]

Post & Go Working Sail
Issue date: 18th February 2015Reason and inspiration
Over the centuries, the beauty of sailing ships inspired innumerable grand paintings, including enormous seascapes and complex battle scenes – but it is the work of folk artists who painted on a more humble scale, observing ships as they came into the port, that has captured for posterity many types of traditional merchant and fishing vessels in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

These artists, often collectively known as the ‘pierhead’ painters, would seek commissions among the owners and crew of a ship in port. They would sketch from life and produce portraits of the vessel before the ship sailed again, usually within days. The typical portrait was a broadside view of the vessel at sea or leaving harbour, with details added in the background to help identify the location.

Pierhead painting forms a distinct genre of popular, or folk, art. The earliest examples appear in the 18th century though most date from the late 19th and early 20th century. They are mostly simple portraits of merchant ships and fishing vessels. They have little in common with the elaborate seascape of the traditional and academic schools of marine art. Pierhead artists are often described as naïve but this does not account for the skill of some of these artists. Neither does it allow for the accurate and often quite meticulous attention to detail. Those pictures that survive preserve, with accurate details, the only pictorial evidence of certain historic types of vessel.

The vessel always took precedence in the painting and the background, often out of scale, served to mainly identify the port. The style of Pierhead originated in Europe, where schools of artists grew up in the main ports catering for visiting merchant vessels. The development of this genre linked to the expansion in merchant trade that took place in the early 19th century. These paintings needed to be produced and sold quickly before potential customers left port, so the designs became standardised for quick and easy production Little is known about many of the ‘Pierhead painters’ beyond the names they signed. They were usually self- taught and consequently their work is free of formal painting technique. Ship portraiture was often a sideline activity to supplement an income. However for a few artists, it became their means of livelihood.

Stamps and Technical Details
Stamps: 6 x 1st Class
Products: FDC, Presentation Pack, Stampcards, Retail Book, Generic Sheet
Design: Osborne Ross
Acknowledgements: Falcon by JW Green © Lancashire County Council Museum Service; Briar by Alexander Harwood used with kind permission of Lossiemouth Fisheries and Community Museum, photograph © Royal Mail Group Ltd 2015; Humber Sloop ‘Harry’ by Reuben Chappell © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London; Margaret by Henry Lawson © Scottish Fisheries Museum Trust Ltd; Stag attributed to George Race © North East Lincolnshire Council, photograph © Royal Mail Group Ltd 2015;Nell Morgan by G Ramsey © Norfolk Museum Service.
Printer: International Security Printers
Stamp Size 56(w) x 25(h)
Print process: Gravure, Self-Adhesive

The Stamp Set is available from Tallents House and will be overprinted with First Class values and a philatelic code in gravure, printed and inserted in a carrier card designed by Osborne Ross.

Falcon by JW Green, 1897
John William Green (1863–1951) was a keen amateur artist, working in pen and ink, watercolours and oils. He had a particular interest in painting and drawing vessels seen in Fleetwood.

Briar by Alexander Harwood, 1907
Alexander Harwood (1873–1943) moved to Aberdeen in his twenties and worked as a fish porter for most of his life. He was a prolific amateur artist and painted hundreds of portraits of Aberdeen trawlers, working in watercolours, oils and gouache.

Stag attributed to George Race, date unknown
George Race (1872–1957) lived in Cleethorpes and specialised in painting portraits of trawlers arriving at the dock and would then sell his work to the seamen before their vessel left the port.

Harry by Reuben Chappell, date unknown
Reuben Chappell (1870–1940) was born in Goole and from an early age showed a talent for drawing ships. He made his living by painting ships and selling his oils and watercolours to seamen, first in Goole and then in Cornwall, where he became well known locally.

Nell Morgan by G Ramsey, 1886
Not much is known about G Ramsey, except that he lived in Norfolk and presumed to have been among the local ‘pierhead’ painters. He actively painted sailing vessels between 1856 and 1889.

Margaret by Henry Lawson, 1890
Henry Lawson (1872–1966) was a fisherman in Pittenweem who, as a teenager, earned extra money by painting boats. The Margaret was his father’s first boat and was used for line-fishing as well as drift-netting.

Products
Stamp Set and Carrier Card
The Working Sail carrier card features information about ‘pierhead’ painters, including how they worked and their historical importance. It also includes a short biography of each of the artists whose work appears on the stamps. Two of the stamp images are shown at larger size, and background information about Post & Go stamps is also included.
Price: £3.72

First Day Cover
The envelope designed by The Chase is a generic design for all Post & Go stamps, featuring a map of the UK. Each set of Post and Go stamps will have its own insert designed by Osborne Ross featuring information about ‘pierhead’ painters, including how they worked and their historical importance. It also includes a short biography of each of the artists whose work appears on the stamps. Two of the stamp images are shown at larger size, and background information about Post & Go stamps is also included.
Price: £4.94 (Overseas £4.12)
FDC Code: ZF017
First Day Envelope: ZE016

Postmarks
The Tallents House postmark features a line drawing of map of the UK. The alternative postmark references Great Yarmouth was chosen because of its maritime associations and because it is home to a museum that has a large collection of works by ‘pierhead’ painters, including George Race, G Ramsey and Rueben Chappell.

Sculptor’s U.S. Stamp Royalty Upheld

Posted on February 6, 2015 by VSC

A third federal appeals court has ruled that sculptor Frank Gaylord is entitled to a royalty of more than half a million dollars on the U.S. Postal Service’s use of a photograph of his sculpture on a 2003 stamp.

The USPS paid the photographer for the picture of the Korean War Veterans Memorial, but not Gaylord.

Gaylord did not seek a percentage of stamps sold and actually used for postage, but only of stamps sold to collectors. The courts figured that revenue was $5.4 million, “which was almost pure profit” and awarded Gaylord 10% of that amount, or $540,000 “plus prejudgment interest,” which one online law publication says brings the total to $570,000.

Gaylord, now 89, first brought his suit in 2006.

The USPS has never agreed to a per-stamp royalty, but instead paid flat fees to artists and photographers. However, the three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals said on Wednesday, February 4, 2015, the sculpture was the best choice for commemorating the sacrifices of Korean War Veterans, and the USPS “would have agreed to a per-unit license.” Therefore a royalty was appropriate.

“The Postal Service knew, too, that past military-themed stamps had performed well with collectors, and it expected the Korean War Veterans Memorial stamp to sell well, as evidenced by its choice to print roughly 50% more of the Memorial stamps than was typical for its commemorative stamps,” says the opinion by Judge Richard Taranto.

The decision can be found at here. It was first reported by the National Law Journal, although registration is required to read it. PatentlyO has a story written by University of Missouri law school professor. Linn’s Stamp News also has a story, by Bill McAllister.

There is no word on whether the USPS (or the Justice Department, on its behalf) plans to appeal further.

Scott Changes Mind On Jenny “Unverts”

Posted on February 6, 2015 by VSC

The Scott Catalogues are going to list the upright Jenny Invert stamps (what I call the “unverts”) after all. In an article in the February 16, 2015, issue of co-owned Linn’s Stamp News, editor Chad Snee says the decision was made after “a number of dealers and collectors contacted Scott, questioning the wisdom of the decision to not assign a catalog number.”

Snee says to be listed, stamps must be valid for postage, and the country issuing them must have a functioning postal system. The Scott listing police says the goal is “to seek reasons why a stamp should be listed, rather than why it should not.”

The panes will get a minor letter variety of Sc. 4806, starting with the 2016 U.S. Specialized catalogue.

The question begs, however: If these souvenir sheets, which cannot be (knowingly) purchased at a post office nor (knowingly) ordered from Stamp Fulfillment Services, are listed, what then of the Vintage Circus Posters souvenir sheet, which was only available as part of a press sheet or in the expensive 2014 Stamp Yearbook? They are valid for postage, and the U.S. has a functioning postal service.

My guess is that they will be listed, too.

Scott has also decided to list imperforate press sheets, because they are available in sufficient quantities for “market demand,” and to make organizing a collection easier.

British Inventions (UK, 2015)

Posted on February 6, 2015 by VSC

[press release]
Inventive Britain – 19th February 2015
Reason and inspiration
The United Kingdom has a long and rich history as an inventive nation. The Inventive Britain stamp issue celebrates this vital and creative aspect of the national character with eight key inventions of the past century in a range of disciplines and applications, from materials to medicine. From the splitting of the atom to the discovery of penicillin to the jet engine and in vitro fertilisation, Britain’s creative and resourceful spirit has not been bound by any particular field, crossing the breadth of science and technology, engineering and medicine. The eight inventions featured on the stamps, from the mighty Colossus (right) to super-strong carbon fibres, comprise only a handful of the transformative great British inventions from the 20th and 21st centuries.

Stamp details
Designed by GBH, each of the eight special stamps – available as 4 se-tenant strips of 2 stamps -depict key inventions created by British inventors over the last century: Colossus, World Wide Web, Catseyes, Fibre Optics, Stainless Steel, Carbon Fibre, DNA Sequencing, i-limb. The design company created original visual interpretations of the inventions’ key functions for six out of the eight stamps, while two were designed using existing imagery and Computer-generated imagery (CGI) illustration.

Number of stamps: Eight
Design: GBH
Acknowledgements: Colossus, Catseyes, Stainless Steel, Carbon Fibre, DNA Sequencing and i-limb stamp imagery created by GBH, 2015 © Royal Mail Group Ltd 2015; World Wide Web – Internet blog map image © Matthew Hurst/Science Photo Library; Fibre Optics – CGI illustration by Gecko Animation Limited; Catseyes is a registered trade mark of Reflecting Roadstuds Ltd; i-limb is a registered trade mark of Touch EMAS Limited t/a Touch Bionics
Stamp Format: Square
Stamp Size: 35mm x 35mm
Number per sheet: 30/60 (4 se-tenant strips of 2)
Printer: International Security Printers
Print Process: Lithography
Perforations: 14.5 x 14.5
Phosphor: Bars as appropriate
Gum: PVA
Stamp Set Price: £8.36
Code: AS66A

Product Portfolio

Stamps First Day Cover
Designed by GBH, the envelope design comprises a graphic representation of the Union Flag in the background, playing up the flag’s red, white and blue colour-ways. For consistency with the Presentation Pack design, the title typography comprises a CAD-style graphic treatment, with aspects of the inventions forming part of the letters’ construction.
Price: £10.51 (overseas £8.76)
Code: AF389

Filler Card
Written by Dr Lesley Paterson, the filler card includes eight pithy summaries referencing the development of each of the eight inventions while the title typography replicates that on the First Day Cover.

Dr Lesley Paterson is a professional science and engineering communicator at the Royal Academy of Engineering. She has written articles, reviews and book chapters on a range of topics from cloning to prosthetic limbs and has worked in communications and public engagement with science, technology and engineering for over 15 years.

Prestige Stamp Book First Day Cover
Price: £3.87 (overseas £3.23)
Code: HF065
First Day Envelope
Price: 30p
Code: AE347

Presentation Pack
Designed by London agency GBH, the Presentation Pack has been designed on a science-style graph-paper grid featuring an outline of the Union Flag. The title typography comprises a CAD-style graphic treatment, with aspects of the inventions forming part of the letters’ construction. Written by Dr Lesley Paterson of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the editorial content consists of a general overview about the subject of British innovation as well as a summary of each invention, referencing the key people behind the success stories and an insight into how the ground-breaking work was achieved.
Price: £8.90
Code: AP398

Prestige Stamp Book
The Inventive Britain Prestige Stamp Book celebrates the genius of the inventive British mind. Starting with the origins of stainless steel and concluding with the creation of the i-limb, writer Eugene Byrne reveals the background to all eight inventions and describes how each was developed and reached its potential. An informative timeline, relevant to each invention, also runs throughout the book.

Eugene Byrne is an author, freelance journalist and historical researcher based in Bristol. He edits the local history section of the Bristol Post and is a regular contributor to various national newspapers and magazines on history and heritage. He has written numerous Royal Mail products, mainly on science and technology subjects, including the Charles Darwin PSB, Concorde Medal Cover, The Royal Society Presentation Pack and PSB, the Halley’s Comet Commemorative Sheet, the 2010 Yearpack and the David Livingstone Commemorative Sheet.

Stamp Cards
The eight special stamps are reproduced at postcard-size in this collectable set of stamp cards.
Price: £3.60
Code: AQ217

Prestige Stamp Book Album
The Prestige Stamp Book Album allows you to keep your collection of these wonderful mini masterpieces in pristine condition. It comprises a single format binder with 10 single pocket leaves. Additional packs of 10 leaves can be ordered separately.
Album:
Price £15.99
Code: PA707