Kellner Replaces Miller for APS Content

Posted on by

Less than four months after American Philatelic Society executive director named Martin Miller as part of his “senior leadership team,” responsible for all “content” (editorial matters) at the USA’s largest stamp collecting organization, Miller has decided to leave, and a replacement has been named. The APS press release, with a correction to the number of years Kellner has been an APS member: It will be 47 years on January 1, 2019:

APS Welcomes New Leadership in Content Management

Today the American Philatelic Society named Mark A. Kellner as Chief Content Officer replacing Martin Miller. Miller, who joined the APS staff in October 2017, will be taking a new position closer to his home in South Carolina.

Kellner, who recently became a Life Member of the APS, first joined the Society in 1972 and his collecting interests include United States, Great Britain, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Israel. After attending Boston University’s College of Communications, Kellner began a journalism career including philatelic and non-philatelic newspapers.

Mark was an enterprise reporter for the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, and a 24-year contributor and columnist to The Washington Times. He also wrote a tech column on handheld computing for the Los Angeles Times, and earlier was a reporter at the Times Leader in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania.

“Mark’s career as a journalist, editor, and author remind us how diverse and talented the APS membership can be,” said APS Executive Director Scott English. “With the experience that Mark brings to the team, we will be able to bring exciting content to the APS membership both in print and online.”

Kellner’s career included serving as Editor-in-Chief for PC Portables, News and Industry Editor for MISWeek, editor of the Adventist News Network, and News Editor for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines. He has also authored three books, including WordPerfect 3.5 for Macs for Dummies® and God on the Internet.

“It’s the privilege of a lifetime to serve the American Philatelic Society and its members,” Mark said. “I look forward to developing and enhancing content for the website and keeping The American Philatelist and Philatelic Literature Review at the top of the field.”

Kellner will join the APS staff on January 7, 2019.

About Mark
A Life Member of the American Philatelic Society who first joined nearly 47 years ago, Mark A. Kellner has collected stamps for many years. His interests include stamps from the United States, Great Britain, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Israel.

Mark began his journalism career by contributing a stamp column to the Queens Tribune in New York City, owned by another collector, Gary Ackerman, who later served 15 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also wrote for Linn’s Stamp News and spent several years as Stamp Collector’s Washington, D.C., correspondent. During that time, he was the first to report plans by then-Postmaster General Anthony M. Frank to release a commemorative honoring Elvis Presley, which was released in January 1993.

Along with his philatelic writing, Mark’s been a newspaper reporter and columnist in New York City; Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City, Utah. His most notable connections were with The Washington Times, where he was a contributor for 24 years, and the Deseret News in Salt Lake City, where he was an enterprise reporter.

Mark also served as Editor-in-Chief of PC Portables magazine, as well as News and Industry Editor for MISWeek, and as a staff writer for Federal Computer Week, Government Computer News, and Unix Today. He’s the author of WordPerfect 3.5 for Macs for Dummies® and God on the Internet.

For 11 years, Mark served at the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, first as editor of the movement’s Adventist News Network news service and then as News Editor for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines.

The Kellners currently reside in Salt Lake City, along with Jacques Kellner, Mark’s father, who introduced Mark to stamp collecting, a lifelong pursuit for both men.

“We do expect to move,” the New York City native tells The Virtual Stamp Club. His immediate predecessor, Martin Miller, spent one week a month working from home in South Carolina. Miller’s predecessor, Jay Bigalke, spent three weeks a month working from home and one in Bellefonte. Executive director Scott English has expressed a preference for someone working in-house full-time.

Uncle Sam Hat Coil (U.S. 2019)

Posted on by

This version was announced by the USPS on December 19, and will be issued January 27th without a ceremony, but with a Kansas City postmark. A sheet version of this design was issued February 18, 2017.

Says the USPS, “The stamp features eight graphic top hats in Uncle Sam’s signature style, with red and white vertical stripes above a blue band with a white star and a gray brim. Beneath each hat is an oval shape representing a face, each in a different shade, meant to suggest the ethnic and racial diversity of the United States. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp. The words “ADDITIONAL OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value.”

The latest information on this issue will appear below the large illustration. The Scott catalogue number is 5341.

December 19th: The stamp will be issued in coils of 100.

December 21st: On January 27, 2019, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Uncle Sam’s Hat (Non-denominated additional ounce rate) stamp in one design (with new format), in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 100 stamps (Item 746900). The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 27, 2019, and must not be sold or cancelled before the first-day-of-issue.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 746900 Uncle Sam’s Hat Non-denominated Additional Ounce Rate, PSA Coil of 100 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet First-Class Mail requirements. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office or at The Postal Store website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – Uncle Sam’s Hat Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

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. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by May 27, 2019.

Updated January 9th:

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Uncle Sam’s Hat Stamp
Item Number: 746900
Denomination & Type of Issue: Non-denominated Additional Ounce Rate
Format: Coil of 100 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 27, 2019, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 100,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Pantone 7687, Pantone 7621, Cool Gray 7, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.098 x 24.892 mm
Plate Size: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by seven (7) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 31st stamp

The only first-day cancellation for this issue is the “FIRST DAY OF ISSUE” four-bar.

Joshua Tree Priority Mail Envelope (U.S. 2019)

Posted on by

This issue was not initially announced by the USPS, but was confirmed December 20th in response to a query from The Virtual Stamp Club. The illustration below is a mock-up.

The most recent information will appear after the large illustration and the introductory description from the USPS. The Scott catalogue number is U698. Celebrating the desolate beauty of the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) and its distinct desert environment, this Priority Mail stamp depicts a common scene throughout much of the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. Using the bold colors of the sun’s reflection off the trees, rocks, and other shrubby vegetation, artist Dan Cosgrove illuminates the desert scene in warm, golden hues. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp.

Updated January 17th:

Only the pictorial postmark will be available. The DCP reportedly does not work well on the envelope stock: The B&W Pictorial measures 2.98″x1.21″.

Here are the product numbers:

  • 232900 $7.35 Prepaid PM Envelope (1), $7.35
  • 232905 Prepaid PM Envelope Pack of 5, $36.75
  • 232910 Prepaid PM Envelope Pack of 10, $73.50
  • 232925 Prepaid PM Envelope Pack of 25, $183.75
  • 232916 Prepaid PM Envelope FDC, $7.79

Canada Post’s 2019 Stamp Program Preview

Posted on by

press release

Canadians in Flight, Vancouver’s Asahi baseball team and Canada’s first Black letter carrier are among highlights of the 2019 stamp program

Covered bridges,endangered turtles and sweet desserts also celebrated 

OTTAWA – Aviation trailblazers, Japanese-Canadian athletes who triumphed on the ball diamond but were interned during the Second World War, and the 150th anniversary of the Red River Resistance are all on next year’s stamps.

Canada Post will issue these new stamps in 2019:

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II appears on a new definitive stamp.

Black History Month delivers the story of Albert Jackson, Canada’s first Black letter carrier.

Just in time for spring weddings, gorgeous gardenias will grace our annual flower stamps.

Next up to bat will be the poignant story of Vancouver’s Asahi baseball team – athletes whose on-field victories did not shield them from off-the-field racismor from internment during wartime.

Celebrating the heights of courage and ingenuity, our Canadians in Flight issue will honour Canadians and aircraft that made their mark on aviation,including First World War ace William George Barker, VC, and the pioneering Lazair ultralight plane.

Our Sweet Canada issue serves up a tantalizing taste of Canada’s regional desserts.

Stamps featuring two endangered turtles, native to Canada, will arrive on World Turtle Day; four native bears will also appear on stamps.

Five stamps featuring vintage covered bridges will carry us back in time.

We will mark the1 50th anniversaries of the Red River Resistance and the joining of the Métis Nation to the Canadian federation.

Back for a repeat performance are the following issues:

From Far and Wide continues its road trip through some of Canada’s most picturesque spots, including Tombstone Territorial Park (Yukon), Mahone Bay (Nova Scotia), the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve (Quebec) and Iceberg Alley, near Ferryland (Newfoundland and Labrador).

Lunar New Year celebrates people born in the Year of the Pig.

A new Canada Post Community Foundation stamp will give Canadians a way to help youth.

You can dress up your mail for the holidays with our Shiny and Bright stamps or send a more traditional message with stamps depicting the Nativity story. In addition, commemorative envelopes will mark the 150th anniversaries of the Fusiliers Mont-Royal, the Fusiliers du St-Laurent and The Princess Louise Fusiliers.

Many stamp topics chosen by the Stamp Advisory Committee are the result of suggestions from the public or organizations to honour a significant person, milestone or event. We welcome ideas for the 2020 program and beyond.

“All Holland Bakes” (and sticks) (Netherlands 2018)

Posted on by

[press release, translated using Google Translate]

The Hague, December 10, 2018 – This Sunday was the day: the first episode of a new TV season “Heel Holland Bakt” at broadcaster MAX. During the broadcast of RTL Late Night on 7 December, jury member Janny van der Heijden was surprised with special stamps on the occasion of the start of the 6th season.

Passionate amateur bakers
In the popular TV series “Heel Holland Bakt”, André van Duin, Jannyvan der Heijden and Robèrt Beckhoven go in search of the Netherlands’ mosttalented home baker. In 8 broadcasts, 10 passionate amateur bakers compete forhonor. Ultimately, there is only one winner, namely the one who, according tothe professional jury, best controls all baking disciplines.

From meringue to cheesecake
To celebrate the start of the 6th season PostNL has issued a “Heel HollandBakt” mail set. The post set consists of 5 maxi cards and a stamp sheetwith 5 different stamps. On the cards and on the stamps are colorful picturesof popular cakes and pastries: a meringue with currants and blueberries, acherry chocolate cake, an apple pie in rose form, a foam cake with raspberries,blackberries and blueberries and a cheesecake with figs. The stamp sheetletcontains a large photo of the entire jury of “Heel Holland Bakt.”

‘Fantastic’
Janny van der Heijden received the stamp sheet Friday in RTL Late Night.”Wow, I had not seen them yet. What have they become beautiful, fantastic!”

Availability
The postset “Heel Holland Bakt” consists of 5 maxi cards and a stampsheet with 5 different personal stamps with the value indication Nederland 1,intended for mail up to and including 20 grams with a destination within theNetherlands. The mail set costs 8.95 and can be ordered via www.postnl.nl/HeelhollandBakt since 7 December. The mail set can also be ordered by telephone at CollectClub’s customer service on telephone number 088 – 868 99 00. The period ofvalidity is undetermined.

APS Exec English Adds 2 More Years

Posted on by

American Philatelic Society executive director Scott English has signed a contract renewal, through August 2021. (English is shown at right at a first-day ceremony in 2016.)

Even though his initial contract was not set to expire until August of 2019, the APS Board of Directors offered him a two-year extension, with the new terms effective December 1, 2018. English tells The Virtual Stamp Club he signed the offer last week.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve the members of the APS and we’ve made significant progress over the past three years,” he said in an email. “I work with a great team in Bellefonte and we have a Board that has invested in a strong future. We’ve reduced the debt, started our modernization plan, united the hobby, and delivered member services more efficiently.

“We have some exciting plans for the next few years, including online education, increasing traffic at our stamp shows, growing our grassroots, and building an international audience through promotion of Chicago 2021.”

The latter edition of StampShow, in 2021, will be held at the same time and in the same venue as the American Numismatic Association’s annual show (Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL, August 10-14, 2021). Staging APS StampShow in conjunction with ANA’s World’s Fair of Money has been a goal of APS leaders for many years.

Scott Catalogue U.S. Update (December 2018)

Posted on by

5331 (50¢) Christmas – Madonna and Child
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

5332 (50¢) Christmas – Head of Santa Claus
5333 (50¢) Christmas – Santa Claus and Wreath
5334 (50¢) Christmas – Santa Claus and Book
5335 (50¢) Christmas – Santa Claus and Card
a. Block of 4, #5332-5335
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #5332-5335

5336 (50¢) Christmas – Santa Claus and Book Souvenir Sheet

5337 (50¢) Kwanzaa

5338 (50¢) Hanukkah

Treasury Task Force: Overhaul The USPS

Posted on by

A U.S. Treasury Department task force, ordered by President Trump, is proposing an overhaul to the U.S. Postal Service, including (and perhaps in particular) how it prices packages delivered by e-commerce companies like Amazon.

The task force says the USPS should price mailing these packages “with profitability in mind.”

The president has, in turn, criticized Amazon for treating the USPS as its “delivery boy.”

Keep in mind that Amazon is owned by Jeff Bezos, who now also owns the Washington Post. That newspaper is often critical of President Trump. However, the administration denies it is targeting Amazon.

The report does not call for privatizing the Postal Service.

Politico’s story can be found here. The New York Times has the Associated Press story as well as its own, titled “Trump Said Amazon Was Scamming the Post Office. His Administration Disagrees.”  CNN characterizes it as “White House backs off privatizing the Postal Service.” FoxNews.com apparently did not run the story.

Here is the Treasury Department’s press release:

Washington – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the Task Force report on the United States Postal System. The report, United States Postal System: A Sustainable Path Forward, provides a series of recommendations to overhaul the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) business model in order to return it to sustainability without shifting additional costs to taxpayers.

“The USPS is on an unsustainable financial path which poses significant financial risk to American taxpayers,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “President Trump tasked us with conducting a thorough evaluation of the USPS, and today’s report contains achievable recommendations that fulfill the President’s goal of placing the USPS on a path to sustainability, while protecting taxpayers from undue financial burdens and providing them with necessary mail services.”

Between fiscal year (FY) 2007 and FY 2018, the USPS experienced net losses totaling $69 billion. The USPS is forecast to lose tens of billions of dollars over the next decade. The USPS’s business model—including its governance, product pricing, cost allocation, and labor practices—must be updated in light of its current operating realities.

On April 12, 2018, President Trump issued the Executive Order on the Task Force on the United States Postal System. The Executive Order established a Task Force on the United States Postal System, chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury and including the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. The Task Force was directed to evaluate the operations and finances of the USPS and to develop recommendations for administrative and legislative reforms that will enable the USPS to create a sustainable business model.

The Task Force’s recommendations include, but are not limited to:

  • Improving governance by strengthening the Board of Governors and developing enforcement mechanisms to ensure financial commitments and reforms are met;
  • Clearly defining the Universal Service Obligation by specifying what are “essential postal services,” or types of mail and packages for which a strong social or macroeconomic rationale exists for government protection;
  • Developing a new pricing model that removes price caps and charges market-based prices for both mail and package items that are not deemed “essential postal services”;
  • Modernizing the USPS’s cost standards and cost allocation methodology;
  • Pursuing cost-cutting strategies that will enable it to meet the changing realities of its business model;
  • Reforming USPS employee compensation in a manner consistent with proposed reforms to the broader federal workforce;
  • Restructuring retiree health benefit liabilities with a new actuarial calculation that is based on employees at or near retirement age;
  • Exploring new services that will allow the USPS to exact value from its existing assets and business lines, but that present no balance sheet risk.

The Task Force’s full analysis and complete list of recommendations can be found in the full report.

George H.W. Bush (U.S. 2019)

Posted on by

[press release – April 6th]
U.S. Postal Service Reveals New Forever Stamp Design Honoring Former President George H.W. Bush

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced it will issue a commemorative Forever stamp honoring former President George H.W. Bush, who died Nov. 30, 2018, at the age of 94.

The 41st president guided the United States through the end of the Cold War and drove the creation of a multinational coalition that successfully forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait in the Persian Gulf War.

An advocate for public service, Bush explained his vision of a nation of volunteers as “a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky.” [The stamp design was unveiled Saturday at the Bush Library, above]

The stamp art is a portrait of Bush painted by award-winning artist Michael J. Deas. It is based on a 1997 photograph taken by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Phil Jordan was the art director and stamp designer.

The first-day-of-issue ceremony will be held on the president’s birthday, June 12, at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Drive West, College Station, TX. (shown below)

Robert M. Duncan, chairman of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official.

The stamp will be available for pre-order April 6, 2019, for delivery on or after the June 12 ceremony at usps.com/stamps, or by phone at 800-Stamp24 (800-782-6724).

The stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Our initial posting here:
We can expect a stamp on or about June 12th for President George H.W. Bush, who passed away December 1st at the age of 94. He was born June 12, 1924, and U.S. custom is that former presidents are honored with a stamp on their first birthday after their death.

Although he was born in Milton, Mass., the family compound where he spent a significant part of each year is in Kennebunkport, Maine. He spent the rest of the year in Houston.

The USPS has not confirmed release of this stamp.

Here’s a larger version of this stamp:

Further details and information will appear below the line, in the order received.

From the May 9th Postal Bulletin:
On June 12, 2019, in College Station, TX, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the George H.W. Bush stamp (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 478200). The stamp will go on sale nationwide June 12, 2019. The George H.W. Bush stamp must not be sold or canceled before the June 12th first-day-of-issue.

This stamp honors former President George H.W. Bush, who died on November 30, 2018, at the age of 94. The stamp art is a portrait of Bush painted by award-winning artist Michael J. Deas. It is based on a 1997 photograph taken by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. The 41st president of the United States guided the U.S. through the end of the Cold War and drove the creation of a multinational coalition that successfully forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait in the Persian Gulf War. An advocate for public service, Bush explained his vision of a nation of volunteers as “a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky.” Phil Jordan was the art director and stamp designer.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 478200, George H.W. Bush (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

A special dedication postmark is available to local post offices: How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store website at usps.com/shop. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – George H.W. Bush Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

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. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 12, 2019.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: George H.W. Bush Stamp
Item Number: 478200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 12, 2019, College Station, TX 77840
Art Director: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Designer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Typographer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Artist: Michael J. Deas, New Orleans, LA
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 40,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Pantone 5513, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in/21.336 x 36.068 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in/24.892 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 7.24 in/150.368 x 183.896 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.84 x 21.72 in/300.736 x 551.688 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners
Back: ©2019 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (478200) • Plate position diagram • Promotional text

Updated May 18th:
Here are scratch versions of the first-day cancels:

Updated May 23rd:

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Honoring Former President George H.W. Bush with Forever Stamp
First Day of Issue Event June 12th at Bush Center in College Station, Acknowledging President Bush’s 95th Birthday

What: The U.S. Postal Service is issuing a Forever stamp honoring George Herbert Walker Bush, America’s 41st president, who died on November 30, 2018.

The first day of issue event for the stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #GHWBushStamp or #USPresidentsStamps.

Who: Pierce Bush, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, Grandson of George H.W. Bush
Hon. Robert M. Duncan, Chairman, Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service, and Dedicating Official
David B. Jones, President and CEO, George & Barbara Bush Foundation
Warren Finch, Director, George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Amb. Chase Untermeyer, Founding Chairman, Qatar-America Institute
Jean Becker, Former Chief of Staff, Office of George H.W. Bush

When: Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 11 a.m. CDT

Where: Annenberg Presidential Conference Center
Frymire Auditorium
1002 George Bush Drive West
College Station, TX 77845

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/georgehwbush.

Background: George Herbert Walker Bush (1924–2018), served as America’s 41st president from 1989 to 1993. During his term in office, he guided the U.S. and its allies to a peaceful end of the Cold War, helped reunify Germany, and led a multinational coalition that successfully forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War.

On the domestic front, President Bush signed historic civil rights legislation to integrate Americans with disabilities more fully into society. His Clean Air Act tightened air pollution standards and dramatically reduced urban smog and acid rain. George Bush also called and inspired millions of Americans to serve their communities with his vision of “a thousand points of light.”

In addition to serving as vice president under President Reagan, Bush held a number of other senior leadership roles including Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China, and Director of Central Intelligence.

George H.W. Bush was the first sitting vice president elected president since Martin van Buren in 1836, and one of only two presidents to have a son who also served as Commander-in-Chief.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide.

Updated May 24th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark for this issue measures 2.94″x0.98″ The B&W pictorial measures 2.93″x0.94″ The “special” postmark, for other post offices, measures 2.24″x1.46″

Updated August 7th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5393.

U.S. Postal Service Offers Letters From Santa

Posted on by

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Letters FROM Santa Program Provides Santa’s Personalized Response to Your Child’s Letter
Great Photo Opportunity to Treasure for Years

WASHINGTON — Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — and the U.S. Postal Service can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter — complete with a North Pole postmark (right).

Here are the steps for your child to get a letter back from Santa:

  1. Have your child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.
  2. Later, when alone, open the envelope and write a personalized response.
  3. Insert the response letter into an envelope and address it to the child.
  4. Add the return address: SANTA, NORTH POLE, to the envelope.
  5. Affix a First-Class Mail stamp to the envelope, such as one of the new holiday stamps.
  6. Place the complete envelope into a larger envelope — preferably a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope — with appropriate postage and address it to:

North Pole Postmark
Postmaster
4141 Postmark Drive
Anchorage, AK 99530-9998

“Letters from Santa” must be received by the Anchorage, AK, postmaster no later than Dec. 15. Santa’s helpers at the Postal Service will take care of the rest.

Be sure to share the experience on social media using #LettersFromSanta.

Tips

  • To save paper, write Santa’s response on the back of your child’s letter. If you keep them together, your child will also be able to recall what he or she wrote.
  • When responding as Santa, make the response as personal as possible by highlighting your child’s accomplishments over the past year, for example, helping around the house, receiving good grades in a particular subject at school or participating in community service activities.
  • This is a great activity to do at Thanksgiving that the whole family can enjoy, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other caregivers.

The Letters from Santa program adds to the excitement of Christmas and is ideal to interest children in letter writing, stamps and penmanship.