[scroll down for the design] The December 12th USPS Postal Bulletin indicates that this issue will be released February 10th with Kansas City as the first-day city.
There wasn’t much in my article from the October press preview:
The greetings cards butterfly stamp (“surcharged”) will show the Great Spangled Fritillary.
….and we don’t have the design yet, but here’s a picture of a Great Spangled Fritillary:
Added December 19th: The stamp design and Digital Color Postmark:
And from the Postal Service on December 27th, the design and more details:
The great spangled fritillary butterfly graces the fourth butterfly stamp for use on large greeting card envelopes. The stamp art was created on a computer, using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point. The result is a highly stylized, simplified image of a great spangled fritillary rather than an exact replica.
The great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele) is named for the silvery spots found on the undersides of its wings. A large butterfly with a wingspan of 2.25 to 4 inches, it is found in all northern states and ranges as far south as northern Georgia in the east and central California in the west. Even though this striking butterfly is a common sight in much of the country, it can be puzzling to identify. Not only are females slightly darker than males, but individuals in eastern populations are more orange in color, while those in western populations are more brown.
All great spangled fritillaries have one thing in common: a very close relationship with violets. Females lay their eggs on or near clumps of violets in August or September. When the eggs hatch, the larvae crawl to nearby violet plants, but instead of having a snack, they hide among fallen leaves and begin to hibernate. When spring arrives, the caterpillars come out of hibernation and feed on fresh violet leaves before forming a chrysalis and transforming into adult butterflies.
Nationally known artist Tom Engeman worked with art director Derry Noyes on this design.
The square format of the stamp was developed in partnership with the greeting card industry to indicate that this stamp may be used for square envelopes weighing up to and including one ounce. Greeting card envelopes printed with a silhouette of a butterfly indicate the need for an additional 20 cents postage — or the use of this butterfly stamp. The butterfly stamp may also be used to mail envelopes with irregular sizes and shapes.
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:
Great Spangled Fritillary (Butterfly) Stamp
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-0001
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 April 13, 2014.
Technical Specifications:
Issue: Great Spangled Fritillary Stamp
Item Number: 116600
Denomination & Type of Issue: 70-cent Definitive
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 10, 2014, Kansas, MO 64108 (No Ceremony)
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Artist: Tom Engeman, Bethany Beach, DE
Engraver: Trident
Modeler: CCL Label, Inc.
Manufacturing Process: Gravure
Printer: CCL Label, Inc.
Printed at: Clinton, SC 29325
Press Type: Dia Nippon Kiko (DNK)
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 60 million stamps
Paper Type: Prephosphored, Type I
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: CCL Label, Inc, Clinton, SC
Colors: 476 (Brown); 160 (Lt. Brown); 145 (Dk. Yellow); 1595 (Dk. Orange); 021 (Orange); 8 (Cool Grey); Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.121 x 1.085 in./28.47 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.225 in./31.12 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.75 x 7.125 in./146.05 x 180.98 mm
Plate Size: 200 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “C” followed by seven (7) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: “GREAT SPANGLED FRITILLARY” • FIRST-CLASS SURCHARGE RATE • Plate numbers in all four corners
Back: © 2013 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (116600) at upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text
