Breast Cancer Research semi-postal reprint

Breast Cancer Research semi-postalThis will be issued some time in September, with the “2014” year on it. The design is similar to the earlier versions. It will sell for 60¢ (the current 49¢ first-class rate plus an 11¢ surcharge. The format is a pane of 20.

From the September 18th Postal Bulletin:

On September 30, 2014, in Sacramento, CA, the U.S. Postal Service® will reissue the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp priced at 60 cents, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 553000).

The Breast Cancer Research First-Class® semipostal stamp, is being reissued in 2014. Semipostals are stamps sold at a surcharge to raise money for a particular cause. Originally issued in 1998, the stamp art depicts a woman standing with her right arm raised, reaching behind her head in the position recommended for breast self-examination. The drawing of the woman’s body is set against a background of pastel colors from yellow to violet that cover the entire face of the stamp. Across the top of the stamp are the words “Breast Cancer.” Circling the figure’s right breast are the phrases, in all caps, “FUND THE FIGHT.” and “FIND A CURE.” Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp using original artwork by Whitney Sherman.

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:

Breast Cancer Research Reissue
Customer Relations Coordinator
2000 Royal Oaks Drive
Sacramento, CA 95813-9998

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 November 30, 2014.

There are three philatelic products for this stamp issue:

555306, Press Sheet with Die cuts, $144.00
(print quantity 1,000).
555308, Press Sheet without Die cuts, $144.00
(print quantity 1,500).
555316 First-Day Cover, $1.04.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Breast Cancer Research Stamp
Item Number: 553000
Denomination & Type of Issue: Nondenominated First-Class Mail Semipostal (60 cents)
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: September 30, 2014, Sacramento, CA 95813
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist: Whitney Sherman, Baltimore, MD
Engraver: N/A
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: 20
Print Quantity: 20 million stamps
Paper Type: Raflatac, USPS-P-1238
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: PMS1365 Yellow, PMS322 Light Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
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): 5.92 x 7.24 in./150.36 x 183.90 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.72 x 23.68 in./ 551.69 x 601.47 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back: © 1998 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (553000) Breast Cancer proceeds explanation • Promotional text

6 thoughts on “Breast Cancer Research semi-postal reprint

  1. Maurice Bessette, the Postmaster at the Oneco, Connecticut post office, is reporting receipt of a reprint of this stamp, this time with plate number B1111. The previous version had an S prefix. His order number is 5530B.

    • I don’t believe so. None was assigned at the time. You may have to check the Scott Specialized catalogue to make sure none was assigned later.

Comments are closed.