Chien-Shiung Wu (U.S. 2021)

From the U.S. Postal Service announcement on November 17, 2020:From the USPS: Chien-Shiung Wu (1912-1997) was one of the most influential nuclear physicists of the 20th century. During a career that spanned more than 40 years in a field dominated by men, she established herself as the authority on conducting precise and accurate research to test fundamental theories of physics. Art Director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with original art by Kam Mak.

On Wikipedia

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5557.

Additional information will be posted below the line, with the most recent at the top.


Updated February 2nd:
There is no automatic distribution for this issue.

Updated February 1st:
[press release/ceremony information]
Nuclear Physicist Chien-Shiung Wu to be Honored on a U.S. Postal Service Commemorative Forever Stamp

WHAT: The U.S. Postal Service will honor Professor Emerita Chien-Shiung Wu, one of the most influential nuclear physicists of the 20th century, with a commemorative Forever stamp.

News of the stamp is being shared with hashtags #ChienShiungWu and #ScientificWomen.

WHO: Kristin Seaver, chief retail and delivery officer and executive vice president, U.S. Postal Service

Jada Yuan, granddaughter of honoree and reporter for The Washington Post

Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics, Columbia University

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, at 11 a.m. EST

WHERE: The virtual stamp event will be hosted on the U.S. Postal Service Facebook and Twitter pages. For more information, visit usps.com/chienshiungwu.

BACKGROUND: One of the most influential nuclear physicists of the 20th century, professor Chien-Shiung Wu (1912-1997) was a determined advocate for women in science and made enormous contributions to the physical sciences, altering modern physical theory forever.

During a career that spanned more than 40 years in a field dominated by men, Wu established herself as the authority on conducting precise and accurate research to test fundamental theories of physics.

Working on uranium enrichment and radiation detectors for the Manhattan Project during World War II, Wu made invaluable contributions to the experimental process of splitting and harnessing the power of the uranium atom, making possible the production of the world’s first atomic bomb.

The stamp art features a detailed portrait of Wu wearing a black-and-white high-collared traditional Chinese gown known as qipao. The illustration was first drawn in graphite, then rendered in egg tempera paint. The background was painted with the pigment lapis lazuli, a highly valued color historically used in artistic depictions of angels, nobility and the Virgin Mary.

Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with original art by Kam Mak.

The Chien-Shiung Wu stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp in panes of 20. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1 ounce price.

Updated January 25th:
The USPS is selling two versions of the press sheet for this issue, with die cuts (480206) and without (480208). Both are $66.

Updated January 14th from the Postal Bulletin:
Technical Specifications:

Issue: Chien-Shiung Wu Stamp
Item Number: 480200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail® Forever®
Format: Pane of 20
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 11, 2021, New York, NY 10199
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist: Kam Mak, Brooklyn, NY
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 18,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
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 Number: “P” followed by four (4) single digits in four corners
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in 4 corners
Back: ©2020 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (480200) • Plate position diagram (6) • Promotional text

Updated January 6th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.91″ x 1.50″ The B&W pictorial postmark measures 2.73″ x .78″ The special postmark, for use by other post offices, measures 2.49″ x 1.00

Updated December 31st from the Postal Bulletin:

On February 11, 2021, in New York, NY, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Chien-Shiung Wu stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 480200). This stamp will go on sale nationwide February 11, 2021, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

This new Forever stamp honors Dr. Chien-Shiung Wu (1912–1997), one of the most influential nuclear physicists of the 20th century. The stamp art features a detailed portrait of Wu wearing a black-and-white high-collared, traditional Chinese gown known as qipao. The illustration was first drawn in graphite, then rendered in egg tempera paint. The background was painted with the pigment lapis lazuli, a highly valued color historically used in artistic depictions of angels, nobility, and the Virgin Mary. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp with original art by Kam Mak.
No automatic distribution for Item 480200, Chien-Shiung Wu.

A special dedication postmark is available for 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 – Chien-Shiung Wu 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 June 11, 2021.

Technical Specifications are not yet available.

Updated December 4th:
This stamp will be issued Thursday, February 11th, with a New York City postmark.

6 thoughts on “Chien-Shiung Wu (U.S. 2021)

    • They never do provide a list of cities for the “special” cancellations. I had to ask for the August Wilson stamp, and all that was on “the list” was… Pittsburgh’s main post office.

      • And again, No cities listed for the ANY CITY postmark in the 11 FEB 2021 Post Bull. ( No Surprise … )

  1. It was a long time since a stamp dedicated to a scientist was made. The last one for the US was a set of scientists issued in 2011. I have Asa Gray. Still trying to obtain the rest.

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