Announced November 20, 2018. The most recent information will appear after the large illustration and the introductory description from the USPS.
A familiar sight on public buildings and private homes alike, the American flag has been portrayed in myriad ways on U.S. postage. This stamped envelope features a graphic design of the flag that evokes a rich sense of history even as it presents a recognizable icon in a fresh, contemporary way. Kit Hinrichs created the artwork for this stamped envelope. Ethel Kessler served as art director.
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is U700.
Updated May 8, 2020 from the Postal Bulletin:
On June 15, 2020, in Liberty, MO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the U.S. Flag stamped envelope (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate).
A familiar sight on public buildings and private homes alike, the American flag has been portrayed in myriad ways on U.S. postage. This stamped envelope features a graphic design of the flag that evokes a rich sense of history even as it presents a recognizable icon in a fresh, contemporary way. Kit Hinrichs created the artwork for this stamped envelope. Ethel Kessler served as art director.
The water-activated gum (WAG) U.S. Flag stamped envelopes will be available in the following formats only through Stamp Fulfillment Services at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724:
- #10 regular envelope (Item 292300).
- #10 window envelope (Item 292400).
- #9 regular envelope (Item 291900).
- #6-¾ regular envelope (item 281300).
The pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) U.S. Flag stamped envelopes will be available in the following formats in the field and through Stamp Fulfillment Services:
- #10 regular envelope (Item 292100).
- #10 window envelope (Item 292200).
- #9 regular envelope (Item 291700).
- #9 window envelope (Item 291800).
- #6-¾ regular envelope (Item 281100).
- #6-¾ window envelope (Item 281200).
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 usps.com/shop. They must address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
FDOI – U.S. Flag 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 October 15, 2020.
Technical Specifications – All:
Issue: U.S. Flag Stamped Envelope
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Forever Stamped Envelope
Issue Date & City: June 15, 2020, Liberty, MO 64068
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Print Quantity: Fulfillment
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Image Size (w x h): 1.505 x 1.103 in/38.227 x 20.016 mm
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS 339 Green
Marginal Markings: FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL Logo • “THIS ENVELOPE IS RECYCLABLE AND MADE WITH 30% POST CONSUMER CONTENT” • Recycling logo • ©USPS 2019
Item Number: 292300
Format: #10 Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in/241.3 x 104.775 mm
Item Number: 292400
Format: #10 Window Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in/241.3 x 104.775 mm
Item Number: 291900
Format: #9 Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 8.875 x 3.875 in/225.425 x 98.425 mm
Item Number: 281300
Format: #6-¾ Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 6.5 x 3.625 in/165.1 x 92.075 mm
Item Number: 292100
Format: #10 Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in/241.3 x 104.775 mm
Item Number: 292200
Format: #10 Window Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in/241.3 x 104.775 mm
Item Number: 291700
Format: #9 Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 8.875 x 3.875 in/225.425 x 98.425 mm
Item Number: 291800
Format: #9 Window Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 8.875 x 3.875 in/225.425 x 98.425 mm
Item Number: 281100
Format: #6-¾ Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 6.5 x 3.625 in/165.1 x 92.075 mm
Item Number: 281200
Format: #6-¾ Window Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 6.5 x 3.625 in/165.1 x 92.075 mm
The only first-day postmark for this issue is the FIRST DAY OF ISSUE “killerbar.” No pictorial, no Digital Color Postmark.
Updated April 3, 2020: The USPS confirms this envelope will be issued in 2020, but did not give a day or first-day city.
Updated October 30th: “Due to existing inventory, the Flag envelope announced for 2019 was moved to the 2020 program,” a USPS spokesman tells The Virtual Stamp Club.
I am not saying this much-visited topic should not be revisited once, yet, again, but surely it could have, despite the accompanying text, been done in a more interesting, fresher, or more novel way.
Do the 26 gold stars represent anything?
A good guess would be that the stars represent the number of ‘different’ official U.S. flags that have existed from the original 1777 13-star flag all the way through to the 1960 50-star flag. They can be seen at this site:
https://www.usflagdepot.com/store/page8.html
Ah-ha! Thank you Jim. I bet you’re right.
Very insightful, Jim. Thank you.
All seems to be very quite about this announced issue?
As posted above: “Due to existing inventory, the Flag envelope announced for 2019 was moved to the 2020 program,” USPS spokesman tells The Virtual Stamp Club.
Before any more comments are made in reference to this attempt to be inventive I suggest that the USPS consult The US Amy’s Archives and The US Flag Code to make sure that this release is on the up and up!
James, I don’t understand your comment.
From Post Bull 07 May: To be issued 15 June 2020 in Liberty MO.
Versions available: ( Envelope sealing method ) WAG #10, 10W, 9, 6. PSA #10, 10W, 9, 9W, 6, 6W. ( W = See-Thru window for addee )
Will NOT be on Auto-Distrib, No Artwork for a FDoI Cancel. ( 4-bar similar to the Star Bulk-Rate stamp 3-FEB-2020 ? )
Pre-Order now on USPS.COM for the FDoI cancel for the WAG and PSA envelopes. usps.com/shop ( Collectors )
There is a Micro-Print USPS, Just under the center-bottom of the Blue Square, just to the right of the wavey-lines in the white portion of the flag. In the 5 different versions of this envelope I’ve seen, its in the same place. 69c for 55c worth of postage, and an envelope…
From Linns AUG 17 Scott U700 – as predicted.
The American flag is an important symbol of our country. How many ways can you present this imagei ? There are many other topics that could be potrayed. Considering the multitude of more imaginative subjects that could have been used this is disapointing.
Many non-collector mailers ONLY want flag stamps. I’ve seen it myself, while waiting on line at a post office: “Gimme a book of flags.” or if the request is “Gimme a book of stamps,” and the clerk shows the different booklets available, “Just gimme the flags.”