From Canada Post’s Details magazine:
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA Commemorative envelopeIssue date: June 6th

We honour the 100th anniversary of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) by showcasing some of the many cutting-edge Canadian inventions it has fostered over the past century. From advances in early aviation safety and nuclear medicine to vaccines and space-based engineering, they represent NRC’s dedication to the science and innovation that builds new industry, enhances national security, and improves the well-being of Canadians

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Missouri, is calling on the U.S. Postal Service to issue stamps in 2017, 2018 and 2019 commemorating the country’s involvement in World War I. He has been active in commemorating World War I in other ways, from commemorative coins to designating existing monuments and parks as national monuments for the war.

“These stamps will allow us to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of World War I,” Cleaver said in a press released posted on his Congressional website.

Why 2019, when the war ended in 1918?

“The Treaty of Versailles, formally ending the war, was signed by Germany and the Allied Nations on June 28, 1919,” the press release says.

In a letter to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, Cleaver says, “no stamp exists to honor the brave veterans of World War I.” He or his staff must have missed Sc. 2154, issued in 1985, and shown on the left, or some of the other World War I-related stamps, such as the “I Want You” Uncle Sam poster in the Celebrate the Century series.

He may also be unaware that the USPS would never (well, hardly ever) announce plans for a stamp this far in advance. We’ll learn about 2017 stamps in 2016 or, more likely, 2017.

We talked about why the U.S. hasn’t yet issued any World War I stamps a year ago in a radio feature.

Here’s the complete text of his letter:

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of being present at the White House when President Obama awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously to Army Sergeant William Shemin and Army Private Henry Johnson for conspicuous gallantry during World War I. The year 2017 will mark the centennial of America’s first engagement in World War I and commemoration of the anniversary will consist of educational and interactive events nationwide, including the construction and dedication of the National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Mint will begin circulation of a WWI Commemorative Coin in 2018 to celebrate those who served. It seems fitting for the United States Postal Service to join in honoring the memory of World War I, its role in American and world history, and its veterans with a commemorative series of stamps from 2017-2019.

The United States Postal Service has a history of memorializing significant historical events through stamps, including the 100th Anniversary of the Civil War, World War II, Vietnam War Veterans, Korean War Veterans, Desert Storm-Desert Shield, Rough Riders 50th Anniversary, and the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, but no stamp exists to honor the brave veterans of World War I.

More than four million men and women from the United States served in uniform during World War I and over two million American soldiers served overseas in our pursuit for peace. Issuing a series of stamps would allow us to pay tribute to the diversity of American involvement in World War I hostilities while honoring the memory, service, and sacrifice of over four million outstanding Americans.

Once again, I ask the Committee to give careful consideration to a series of postage stamps commemorating World War I. Between the World War I Centennial Commission, the National World War I Museum and Memorial, and the hundreds of state and local organizations working on this effort, I believe there would be significant interest in these stamps. It is time to pay tribute to the great sacrifices made by these brave Americans.

Longtime Linn’s Stamp News columnist Les Winick has died at the age of 87 in Galesburg, Illinois. The local paper in its obituary says “his passion became promoting the hobby of stamp collecting.”

Many collectors remember him as the executive director of Ameripex ’86, the very successful “international” stamp show in Chicago.

Although we corresponded a few times, I’m afraid I only met him once, briefly. If you knew him, or even if your memories of Les are only through his writing and other philatelic work, please take a moment to share your thoughts here.

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 MemorialWASHINGTON — 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.

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.

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:

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

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 17, 2015.

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.

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.

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:

Gifts of Friendship 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 June 10, 2015.

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.

[press release]
Canada Post celebrates hope, courage and freedom with new Nelson Mandela stamp

TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2015 /CNW/ – Today, Canada Post is unveiling a new stamp to commemorate the heroic life of Nelson Mandela, and celebrate the legacy of courage, determination and persistent hope he left behind. The stamp recognizes the special relationship Canada shared with Mandela, who referred to this country as his home away from home.

Amid his 27 years in prison, Mandela became a symbol of the moral fight for freedom, equality and justice in South Africa and around the world. His message strongly resonated among Canadians, who were at the forefront of the global outcry over his imprisonment and of the unrelenting demand for his release.

After his release in 1990, Canada was among the first countries Mandela visited. Four years later, as president of South Africa, he specifically drew on Canadian values, policies and practices to build his post-apartheid vision of a multi-racial democracy rooted in equality and governed by the rule of law.

In 2001, on his third visit to this country, Mandela was bestowed with honorary Canadian citizenship. He was the first living person to receive this recognition.

“Nelson Mandela, an honorary Canadian citizen, is an inspiration to everyone who values human rights. As a great champion of freedom, beloved by Canadians, he will forever be remembered as a man whose courage changed not just South Africa, but also the world,” says Chris Alexander, Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister.

“Our stamp program seeks to tell the stories of people who have had a powerful effect on our society, and Nelson Mandela’s story is among the most powerful. Canada Post is truly privileged to celebrate his life, his legacy and his struggle that inspired generations to fight for what is right,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post.

The stamp was inspired by a photograph taken by Yousuf Karsh on Mandela’s first visit to Canada in 1990, just four months after his release from prison.

The world mourned Mandela’s passing on December 5, 2013.

About the stamp
The Nelson Mandela Permanent stamp, featuring a photo by Yousuf Karsh, is available in booklets of 10 and measures 32 mm x 32 mm. An Official First Day Cover and souvenir sheet with an international rate stamp are also available. The stamp, souvenir sheet and Official First Day Cover are designed by Ian Drolet with photos by Yousuf Karsh, Jürgen Schadeberg and Stephane de Sakutin, and printed by Canadian Bank Note. The Official First Day Cover measures 191 mm x 113 mm and is cancelled in Ottawa, Ontario. Many thanks to the Nelson Mandela Foundation for its cooperation and assistance in the creation of this stamp issue.

The stamp will be available for purchase on January 30. To purchase philatelic products, please visit canadapost.ca/shop.

The CBS News.com article is here. That includes the video, which you can reach directly at here or on our home page. It appears the link in the reply below is truncated. -LdeV

For the first time in its nearly 36 year history, the popular TV show CBS Sunday Morning will be featuring a segment on stamp collecting. It will air this coming Sunday, January 18th. American Philatelic Society Executive Director Ken Martin was first interviewed by the producer and provided several names for the crew to contact.

Among them was World Stamp Show-NY 2016 Entry Level and Youth Chairperson Debby Friedman, who also heads the Collectors Club Youth Stamp Club in New York City. A visit was arranged during one of the Club’s regular Saturday morning meetings in September.
Debby recounts that her group had very little advance notice of the filming, some of which took place in the Club’s library. The setup was complicated and time consuming, as the crew first wanted shots of a group activity and then get one-on-one time with the kids.

“I opted to let the kids pick stamps of interest to them and talk about why they picked what they did,” she said. “It was a very long day for all of us, but the kids’ reactions were ‘awesome’, ‘proud’ and ‘exciting’. They are looking forward to seeing themselves on television, as are all of their friends and relatives!”

Check your local TV listings for the show’s air time. Most CBS affiliates carry the broadcast beginning at 9 AM. Look for host Charles Osgood’s introduction to the show to determine when the segment will run. The totem pole on the set’s stage will also give a clue as to when to expect to see it during the 90 minute program.

For more information on how you can become involved in stamp collecting or with World Stamp Show-NY2016, please visit us at http://www.ny2016.org.

Information important to potential exhibitors is now available with the release of the Bulletin by World Stamp Show-NY 2016, taking place in 15 months from May 28-June 4, 2016 at the Javits Center in New York City.

The 60 page full-color booklet contains complete details about exhibit entry requirements, the application and acceptance process, and costs involved. It also covers the GREX (General Regulations for Exhibitions) held under the patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie, the 91 member international body considered as the “United Nations” of the hobby.

Three members of the WSS-NY 2016 team collaborated on the work. Stephen D. Schumann, the show’s Commissioner General, provided much of the regulatory section. Steven J. Rod, show Vice President, concentrated on the cultural section, while Design Chairman Niko Courtelis focused on the graphics and layout.

Exhibits among the 3,800 competitive frames are allowed in all 13 FIP-recognized philatelic categories. For the first time ever, First Day Cover exhibits will be accepted under the Experimental Exhibiting Group. One, five or eight frame exhibits may be entered, the latter reserved for previous international large vermeil or higher winners. At least 20% of WSS-NY 2016 entries will be allocated to first-time international exhibits. Literature entries are additionally welcome.

To facilitate the application process, all participating countries appoint national commissioners who distribute and receive exhibit paperwork and coordinate entries with the event’s Commissioner General. The two United States commissioners have just been named, Dr. Yamil Kouri of Massachusetts for exhibitors east of the Mississippi and Mrs. Vesma Grinfelds of California for exhibitors in the West. Exhibitors in other countries should consult their national philatelic organization for commissioner appointees. They will also appear on the WSS-NY 2016 web site with contact information when known. Updates will only appear online.

Full show information, along with the electronic version of the Bulletin, is online at http://www.ny2016.org. Also see the exhibition’s Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest sites.

Thomas M. Fortunato
Chairman, Marketing & Public Relations
thomas.fortunato@ny2016.org

[press release]
Canada Post stamp issue welcomes Year of the Ram

OTTAWA, Jan. 6, 2015 /CNW/ – In its seventh release in a 12-year series, Canada Post honours Lunar New Year with a pair of stamps commemorating the Year of the Ram, a time marked by creativity, caring, sensitivity and transforming misfortune into good luck.

The domestic stamp showcases three rams welcoming spring, a popular New Year’s image, especially at the start of the Year of the Ram, which begins on February 19, 2015 and ends February 7, 2016. An internationally denominated stamp, souvenir sheets and other philatelic products are also available for this popular series.

“Our Lunar New Year issue is a perennial favourite with collectors and consumers alike,” says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services. “We’re very proud that the many designers who have worked on this issue have managed to balance a series ‘feel’ while keeping the design fresh and new every year.”

About the Stamps
The Year of the Ram domestic and international stamps measure 32 mm by 32 mm and the souvenir sheet measures 40 mm by 140 mm. Domestic stamps are available in a pane of 25 and international stamps are sold in booklets of six. The stamps are also available in an uncut press sheet. Single and souvenir sheet Official First Day Covers with Richmond Hill, Ontario as the cancellation site complete the issue. The stamps were designed by Hélène L’Heureux at Interaction Design and illustrated by Susan Scott with calligraphy by Ngan Siu-Mui. The series was printed by Lowe-Martin. The stamps variously incorporate foil and embossing and are tagged on all sides. The text on the stamps is in Traditional Chinese, English and French.