5-Cent Grapes (U.S. 2016, 2017)

Added January 17, 2019:
A 3,000-stamp coil was added, effective January 27th. It is item 750200.

Updated April 3rd: The Scott Catalogue number for this issue is 5177, with a serpentine die cut 11¼x11.

Updated January 30, 2017: Here is the pictorial first-day postmark for this issue: It measures 2.92” x 1.25″.

Updated January 18, 2017:
On February 24, 2017, in Grapevine, TX, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the 5-cent denominated Grapes stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 111400).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 24, 2017.

Originally issued in 2016, in a coil format, Grapes, a 5-cent definitive stamp, will be available in 2017, in panes of 20. The stamp art features two clusters of deep-purple Pinot noir grapes growing on vines among several green leaves. The illustrations were created with pen and ink and watercolor. Art director Derry Noyes designed this stamp with an existing illustration by John Burgoyne.

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet First-Class Mail requirements. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store website at 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:

FDOI – Grapes 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 April 24, 2017.

There is one philatelic product for this stamp issue:

  • 111416 First-Day Cover, $0.98

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Grapes Stamp
Item Number: 111400
Denomination & Type of Issue: 5-cent Denominated, Mail Use
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 24, 2017, Grapevine, TX 76051
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Art: John Burgoyne, West Barnstable, MA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint – “USPS”
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 30,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 7667 C Purple, PMS Warm Gray 4 C
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in/18.54 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in/22.10 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.35 x 4.93 in/135.89 x 125.22 mm
Plate Size: 400 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by six (6) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in 4 corners
Back: ©2015 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (111400) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

Updated January 5, 2017: The USPS says a version or versions of this stamp will be issued February 24th in Grapevine, Texas, at the TEXPEX show. There is no word on the format or formats.   (It is a pane of 20.)

From 2016:

Updated April 6th: The Scott Catalogue editors are calling this issue “Pinot Noir Grapes” (USPS just called it “Grapes”) and assigned 5038 to it.

Updated February 18th: The USPS is offering a strip of 500 stamps for $25, order number 781915.

Updated February 18th, from the Postal Bulletin: On February 19, 2016, in Kansas s_grapesCity, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the 5-cent denominated Grapes stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 781900).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 19, 2016.

In 2016, the Postal Service issues Grapes, a new 5-cent definitive stamp. The stamp art features two clusters of deep-purple pinot noir grapes growing on vines among several green leaves. The illustrations were created with pen and ink and watercolor. Art director Derry Noyes designed this stamp with an existing illustration by John Burgoyne.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet First-Class Mail® requirements. 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 s_grapesenvelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Grapes 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. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by April 19, 2016.

There is one philatelic product for this stamp issue:

  • 781916 First-Day Cover, $0.98.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Grapes
Item Number: 781900
s_grapesDenomination & Type of Issue: 5-cent Denominated
Format: Coil of 10,000, 1 design
Series: N⁄A
Issue Date & City: February 19, 2016, Kansas City, 
MO 64108
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photos: John Burgoyne, West Barnstable, MA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint – “USPS”
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 150,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 7667 C Purple, PMS Warm Grey #4
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in.⁄18.54 x 21.34 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in.⁄22.10 x 24.89 mm
Plate Size: 594 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by six (6) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 27th stamp below stamp image

From the USPS:

s_grapesFDOI: Information to come.
Format: Information to come.

In 2016, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue a new five-cent definitive stamp featuring two clusters of deep-purple Pinot noir grapes growing on vines among several green leaves.
Art Director: Derry Noyes
Illustrator: John Burgoyne. Burgoyne used pen and ink and watercolor to produce the original art.

11 thoughts on “5-Cent Grapes (U.S. 2016, 2017)

  1. 18 FEB Postal Bulletin USPS # 781900 Coil 10K $500 FDoI No Ceremony FDC The Caves 8300 Underground Dr Pilar 210 KC MO 64144 #16 FDC 98 IMI 98 cents.

  2. It is irritating that we collectors cannot buy smaller quantities of these
    definitive. After all, we do provide a lot of good business to the USPS.

    • I agree, and so I buy SMALL STRIPS of 10-ish from Maurice Bessette C/O POSTMASTER 1104 Plainfield Pike ONECO CT 06373. He has not rejected my order of 10 PEAR stamps, and if filled, I will order grapes from him too. As the PNC number is every 27 stamps, you have to buy a strip of 30 to Ensure a PNC number. ( I Have mentioned this to an Official Rep. at The Caves in KC MO. They Know of the complication. What they can do about it ? You will note that the ‘xxxx03 Strip of 25’ has not be available via either Internet at USPS.COM, or Voice at (800)STAMP24. )
      The 4-Bar FDC for the Pear has a Forever stamp added, not a strip of 5, so …
      As for getting these from Big Al at The Stamp Shoppe C/O POSTMASTER, 100 S First St, Minneapolis MN 55401, he has not replied to any inquiry, so you can ask him yourself.

      • I spoke with the folks at The Stamp Shoppe in Minneapolis. They No Longer get the Big Coils to split up. So, just via ONECO CT, or a Sub-Coil of 500 from The Caves.

  3. Just got word this afternoon: You can buy a strip of 500 stamps ($25). The order number is 781915. Adding it above.

    • And Yes, Maurice Bessette, Postmaster of Oneco CT DID sell me a strip of 10. Apparently he has Broken a Coil, and will sell you as many, or as few, as you want. He Does Not Sell on the internet, Only via the Mail. Again:
      Maurice Bessette C/O POSTMASTER
      1104 Plainfield Pike
      ONECO CT 06373

      He also maintains a MAILING LIST, you can request to be placed on it. If you go to Stamp Shows in Connecticut you may see him running a table at one. Write him a letter for his schedule. (Weather Permitting!)

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