This issue was announced by the USPS on December 13th:
The Northern Cardinal stamped envelope showcases one of the most beloved and popular songbirds native to North America. The art features a male cardinal, immediately recognizable by its crimson-colored feathers and black facial markings. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamped envelope with Kandis Vermeer Phillips’s highly realistic illustration.
We will post additional information as we get it below the line, with the most recent information at the top.
Updated August 7th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is U702
Updated June 4th:
This is the only first-day postmark for this issue:
Updated June 1st:
On July 9, 2023, in Bird City, KS, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Northern Cardinal stamped envelope (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate).
The Northern Cardinal stamped envelope celebrates a much-loved songbird. The highly realistic stamp art features an illustration of a northern cardinal perching on the branch of an evergreen tree. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamped envelope, using an illustration by artist Kandis Vermeer Phillips.
The pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) Northern Cardinal stamped envelope will be available in the following formats in the field and through Stamp Fulfillment Services:
- #10 regular envelope (Item 292500)
#10 window envelope (Item 292600)- #9 regular security envelope (Item 293300)
- #9 window security envelope (Item 293400)
- #6-¾ regular envelope (Item 281500)
- #6-¾ window envelope (Item 281600)
The water-activated gum (WAG) Northern Cardinal stamped envelope will be available in the following formats only through Stamp Fulfillment Services at store.usps.com/store/home or by calling 844-737-7826:
- #10 regular envelope (Item 293500)
- #10 window envelope (Item 293600)
- #9 regular security envelope (Item 293700)
- #6-¾ regular envelope (Item 281700)
Priced at 85¢ (66¢ Forever rate + 19¢ surcharge). No automatic distribution.
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 stamped envelopes at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at store.usps.com/store/home. They should address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
FDOI – Northern Cardinal Stamped Envelope
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 November 9, 2023.
Technical Specifications: (all)
Issue: Northern Cardinal Stamped Envelope
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Stamped Envelope (Forever)
Issue Date & City: July 9, 2023, Bird City, KS 67731
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Artist: Kandis Vermeer Phillips, Gaithersburg, MD
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Print Quantity: Fulfillment
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 339 Green
Marginal Markings: FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL logo • “THIS ENVELOPE IS RECYCLABLE AND MADE WITH 30% POST CONSUMER CONTENT” • Recycling logo • ©USPS 2022
Specific Sizes and Configurations:
Item Number: 292500
Format: #10 Regular Envelope
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in / 241.3 x 104.775 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.448 in / 48.863 x 36.779 mm
Item Number: 292600
Format: #10 Window Envelope
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in / 241.3 x 104.775 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.448 in / 46.863 x 36.779 mm
Item Number: 293300
Format: #9 Regular Security Envelope
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 8.875 x 3.875 in / 225.425 x 98.425 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.448 in / 46.863 x 36.779 mm
Item Number: 293400
Format: #9 Window Security Envelope
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 8.875 x 3.875 in / 225.425 x 98.425 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.448 in / 46.863 x 36.779 mm
Item Number: 281500
Format: #6¾ Regular Envelope
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 6.5 x 3.625 in / 165.1 x 92.075 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.394 in / 46.863 x 34.408 mm
Item Number: 281600
Format: #6¾ Window Envelope
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 6.5 x 3.625 in / 165.1 x 92.075 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.394 in / 46.863 x 34.408 mm
Item Number: 293500
Format: #10 Regular Envelope
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in / 241.3 x 104.775 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.448 in / 46.863 x 36.779 mm
Item Number: 293600
Format: #10 Window Envelope
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in / 241.3 x 104.775 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.448 in / 46.863 x 36.779 mm
Item Number: 293700
Format: #9 Regular Security Envelope
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 8.875 x 3.875 in / 225.425 x 98.425 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.448 in / 46.863 x 36.779 mm
Item Number: 281700
Format: #6¾ Regular Envelope
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Envelope Size: (w x h): 6.5 x 3.625 in / 165.1 x 92.075 mm
Image Size (w x h): 1.845 x 1.394 in / 46.863 x 34.408 mm
Updated April 3rd:
This “indicia” will be available in 10 formats:
| Size & Type No. 10 plain – pressure-sensitive adhesive No. 10 window – pressure-sensitive adhesive No. 9 plain – pressure-sensitive adhesive No. 9 window – pressure-sensitive adhesive No. 6¾ plain – pressure-sensitive adhesive No. 6¾ window – pressure-sensitive adhesive No. 10 plain – water-activated glue No. 10 window – water-activated glue No. 9 plain – water-activated glue No. 6¾ plain – water-activated glue |
Order # 292500 292600 293300 293400 281500 281600 293500 293600 292700 292900 |
Updated March 14th:
The issue date is Sunday, July 9th in Bird City, KS. There will be no first-day ceremony.
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2023/0314-usps-updates-2023-stamp-program.htm
FDoI 09 July Bird City KS
*July 9, Northern Cardinal. One (66¢) definitive stamped envelope in 10 formats; AP; Bird City, KS 67731; Linn’s July 3, page 14; single envelopes only available as a custom order with a fee; packs of five are $4.25 each as standard orders; USPS item Nos. (moisture-activated adhesive flap) 293505 (No. 10), 293605 (No. 10 window), 293705 (No. 9), 281705 (No. 6¾); (self-adhesive flap) 292505 (No. 10), 292605 (No. 10 window), 293305 (No. 9), 293405 (No. 9 window), 281505 (No. 6¾), 281605 (No. 6¾ window); 293516 (FDC set of four with moisture-activated flap at $4.04), 292516 (FDC set of six with self-adhesive flap at $6.06); Scott U702.
RE: Lloyd saying PRC approved Rate Increase, these are now 85c each. ( July 9 )