Richard Allen (U.S. 2016)

Updated March 7th: The Scott Catalogue number is 5056 and the imperforate single is 5056a.

Updated January 21st: From the Postal Bulletin:
s_richardallenOn February 2, 2016, in Philadelphia, PA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Richard Allen First-Class Mail® stamp (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 473500).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 2, 2016.

The 39th stamp in the Black Heritage series commemorates preacher, activist, and civic leader Richard Allen (1760–1831), an inspiring figure whose life and work resonate profoundly in American history. This stamp coincides with the 200th anniversary of Allen’s founding of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, one of the most important institutions in African-American life, and his election and consecration as its first bishop. The stamp art is a portrait of Allen, a detail from an 1876 print titled “Bishops of the A.M.E. Church” from the collection of the Library Company of Philadelphia. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp.

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 http://www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. 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:

Richard Allen Stamp
USPS Retail Manager
3190 South 70th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19153-9751

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 April 2, 2016.

There are six philatelic products for this stamp issue:

  • 473506, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 200).
  • 473508, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 250).
  • 473510 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
  • 473516 First-Day Cover, $0.93.
  • 473521 Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
  • 473530 Ceremony Program, $6.95.

Technical Specifications:

s_richardallenIssue: Richard Allen
Item Number: 473500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Black Heritage
Issue Date & City: February 2, 2016, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 30 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: PMS 556C Green, 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): 6.00 x 8.50 in./152.40 x 215.90 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 12.00 x 25.75 in./304.80 x 654.05 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five(5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: “BLACK HERITAGE Celebrating Richard Allen” • Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: • “BLACK HERITAGE Celebrating Richard Allen”, 39TH IN A SERIES, •Verso-text, © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • UPC Code, • Promotional text

Updated January 13th: According to the USPS events calendar, the ceremony will begin at 12 noon. Dr. Josh Colin, Area USPS Operation Vice President, Eastern Area, will be the dedicating official.

Updated December 6th: According to the new issue of Linn’s, the Richard Allen commemorative will be issued February 2, 2016 at the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, PA.

From the USPS August 20, 2015:

s_richardallenBlack Heritage (39th in the series)
FDOI: Quarter 1 (Black History Month) (Birth date: February 14, 1760)
Format: Pane of 20

Preacher, activist, and civic leader Richard Allen (1760–1831) was an inspiring figure whose life and work resonate profoundly in American history. This stamp coincides with the 200th anniversary of Allen’s founding of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, one of the most important institutions in African-American life, and his election as its first bishop.

The stamp art is a portrait of Allen, a detail from an 1876 print titled “Bishops of the A.M.E. Church.” Featuring Allen in the center surrounded by ten other bishops and six historical vignettes, the print is from the collection of the Library Company of Philadelphia.

Art Director: Greg Breeding

Notes: “You’re going to make a lot of people happy with Richard Allen,” said USPS press rep Roy Betts at the briefing.

19 thoughts on “Richard Allen (U.S. 2016)

  1. Many Thanks for honoring Bishop Allen on a postage stamp! I am thrilled about this announcement. I will purchase my stamps tomorrow after I conclude my business trip! Again many thanks!

  2. Wonderful news. Expressions of thanks to the USPS and all who worked to commemorate this great bishop, civic and social leader. Looking forward to date of issue.

  3. What a Blessing and Honor to recognize the contribution of our Bishop Richard Allen. My family represents seven generations of the AME Church. Proud to be AME!

  4. Praise God for the Rev. Richard Allen
    Stamp. Can’t wait to purchase my stamps.
    Rev. Cynthia Johnson Associate Minister Mt. Zion AME. Oakland Park, Fl.

  5. Pingback: Early Word: U.S. 2016 Issues | virtualstampclub.com

    • Details will be posted here closer to the issue date. That should be late January or early February for the stamps to go on sale.

  6. Placed on USPS.COM for pre-ordering today. 02 FEB 2016
    USPS Item number 473504 PSA pane of 20 $9.80. Four plate blocks and text in the selvage, and a long description on the back.

  7. A number of 2016 USPS stamps are being issue “imperforate.” Can someone tell me why this is and are there special Scott numbers for these stamps.

    • Yes, you can sell. Right now, it’s worth 47 cents, because that’s what the price for it is at post offices.

  8. I appreciate what this man has done for the Methodist Church of Mankind and God..

Comments are closed.