Far And Wide (Canada 2020)

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[press release]
From Far and Wide: New stamps showcase nine more must-see sites
Third edition of scenic series entices travellers to explore more amazing Canadian locales.

Issue Date: January 13, 2020

OTTAWA – Canada Post has released the third set of stamps in its From Far and Wide series. Continuing the theme of the 2018 and 2019 issues, the latest edition presents stamps featuring more of Canada’s most breathtaking vistas, released to transport mail to places near and far — and send one’s sense of wanderlust soaring.

The set of nine stamps includes five Permanent™ domestic-rate stamps, as well as stamps denominated at U.S., International, Oversized and single-purchase rates. This year, the From Far and Wide stamps showcase:

  • Abraham Lake, Alta. [right]
  • Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park, Sask.
  • Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island, N.S.
  • Carcajou Falls, N.W.T.
  • French River, P.E.I.
  • Herschel Island-Qikiqtaruk Territorial Park, Yukon
  • Îles de la Madeleine, Que.
  • Kootenay National Park, B.C.
  • Swallowtail Lighthouse, Grand Manan Island, N.B.

The Permanent domestic-rate stamps are available in booklets of 10 (two of each image) and coils of 100, while the U.S.-, Oversized- and International-rate denominations come in booklets of six and coils of 50. The issue also includes a collectible souvenir sheet featuring all nine stamps. The Official First Day Cover [above] is cancelled in Radium Hot Springs, B.C., in honour of the 100th anniversary of Kootenay National Park, the location featured on the U.S.-rate stamp. The issue was designed by Stéphane Huot of Montréal.

Terre de nos aïeux : de nouveaux timbres illustrent neuf autres lieux incontournables
Ce troisième volet de la série fait découvrir de nouvelles régions spectaculaires du Canada

Jour d’emission: 13 Janvier 2020

OTTAWA – Postes Canada a lancé le troisième jeu de timbres de la série Terre de nos aïeux. Comme ceux de 2018 et de 2019, le plus récent volet de la série, qui illustre d’autres paysages canadiens à couper le souffle, servira au transport du courrier ici et ailleurs et invitera au voyage même les esprits les plus casaniers.

Le jeu de neuf vignettes comprend cinq timbres Permanents™ au tarif du régime intérieur, ainsi que des timbres aux tarifs des envois à destination des États-Unis, du régime international, des articles surdimensionnés et à l’unité. Cette année, la série Terre de nos aïeux met en vedette:

  • Abraham Lake, Alberta
  • Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park, Saskatchewan [droit]
  • Cabot Trail, île du Cap-Breton, Nouvelle-Écosse
  • Carcajou Falls, Territoires du Nord-Ouest
  • French River, île du Prince-Édouard
  • Parc territorial de l’île Herschel (Qikiqtaruk), Yukon
  • Îles de la Madeleine, Québec
  • Parc national Kootenay, Colombie-Britannique
  • Phare Swallowtail, île Grand Manan, Nouveau-Brunswick

Les timbres Permanents au tarif du régime intérieur sont offerts en carnets de dix (deux pour chaque image) et en rouleaux de cent, alors que les timbres aux tarifs des envois à destination des États-Unis, des envois surdimensionnés et des envois du régime international sont offerts en carnets de six et en rouleaux de cinquante. Cette émission comprend aussi un bloc-feuillet de collection qui contient les neuf timbres. Le pli Premier Jour officiel est oblitéré à Radium Hot Springs, en Colombie-Britannique, en l’honneur du 100e anniversaire du parc national Kootenay qui est illustré sur le timbre au tarif des envois à destination des États-Unis. Cette émission a été conçue par Stéphane Huot, de Montréal.

Year of the Rat (Canada 2020)

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[press release]
Happy Lunar New Year! Canada Post celebrates Year of the Rat
Final issue in second 12-year series inspired by Chinese folk art

TORONTO, Jan. 16, 2020 /CNW/ – Canada Post has issued two stamps celebrating the Year of the Rat – representing the first year in the Lunar New Year cycle and the final issue in a second 12-year series honouring the annual festival.

The Year of the Rat begins on January 25, 2020, and ends on February 11, 2021. A symbol of fertility and intelligence, the rat is said to confer great cunning, tact and vitality on those born under its sign.

Designed by Albert Ng (O.Ont.) and Seung Jai Paek, of Albert Ng and Associates, the stamps portray the traditional story of the rat’s daughter’s wedding in the style of folk art known as Chinese farmer painting. The Permanent™ domestic-rate stamp depicts the bride on route to her nuptials, while the International-rate stamp reveals the happily married couple.

The Year of the Rat stamps will be available tomorrow, January 17, in Permanent domestic- and International-rate booklets, as well as a gummed pane of 25 domestic-rate stamps framed by four Chinese blessings. Philatelic collectibles include an unsealed, International-rate Official First Day Cover suitable for use as a “money envelope” for traditional gift-giving.

There stamps and philatelic products can be ordered from the Canada Post website.The domestic-rate booklet pane The domestic-rate OFDC The international-rate booklet pane The international-rate souvenir sheet. The international-rate souvenir sheet OFDC. The 2019/2020 souvenir sheet

Saving Vanishing Species Stays On Sale

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From the January 16th, 2020, Postal Bulletin:

Save Vanishing Species Semipostal Stamps Reauthorized for Sale

Under the Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2013, the sale of Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamps (Item 576600) and related products have been reauthorized pursuant to Public Law 113-165.

The Postal Service™ will once again sell Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamps in 2020. Effective immediately, all Post Offices, stations, branches, and contract postal units units must return to sale the Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamps and related products. The items are also returned to sale at Stamp Fulfillment Services and on The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. All sales of the Save Vanishing Species semipostal stamp must be tracked in AIC 081.

This stamp was first issued in 2011, and an earlier Postal Bulletin had ordered post offices to withdraw it for sale on December 31, 2019.

Video Games (U.K. 2020)

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[press release]
Classic Video Games Celebrated With The First Stamp Issue Of 2020

Date of Issue: 21 January

  • Royal Mail issues a set of 12 stamps celebrating the joy of gaming with pioneering and influential UK-designed games from the 1980s and 90s
  • The new set includes four stamps presented in a Miniature-Sheet, that chart the evolution of the iconic Tomb Raider¨ game and its archaeologist adventurer, Lara Croft¨
  • Eight further games complete the set: Elite; Dizzy; Populous; Lemmings; Micro Machines; Sensible Soccer; Wipeout and Worms
  • Elite (1984) was hugely influential and was the first British game to be a hit in the US
  • The Tomb Raider ¨ franchise has sold over 74 million copies worldwide. The franchise’s popularity has exploded into a series of blockbuster films based on the original Tomb Raider ¨ game and 2013 reboot. Its protagonist Lara Croft has been a contemporary global icon for over two decades. The most recent release in the world-famous franchise, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, is the remarkable conclusion to Lara Croft’s origin story
  • Royal Mail worked with industry body, the Association for UK Interactive Entertainment (Ukie), and video game experts, Julian ÔJazÕ Rignall and Sam Dyer on the stamp issue
  • A full set of all stamps, available in a Presentation Pack, retails at £14.25
  • The stamps, and other collectible products, can be pre-ordered now at www.royalmail.com/videogames and by phone on 03457 641 641
  • The stamps will be available on general sale at 7,000 Post Offices across the UK from 21 January 2020

Royal Mail today reveals a set of 12 stamps that celebrate the UK’s contribution to video games.

The new set traces the roots of the UK’s games industry to the very early 1980s and includes four stamps that chart the evolution of the iconic Tomb Raider¨ game.

The Tomb Raider¨ franchise has sold over 74 million copies worldwide. The franchise’s popularity has exploded into a series of blockbuster films based on the original Tomb Raider¨ game and 2013 reboot. Its protagonist Lara Croft has been a contemporary global icon for over two decades. The most recent release in the world-famous franchise, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, is the remarkable conclusion to Lara Croft’s origin story.

Since her first appearance in 1996 in the original Tomb Raider from Core¨ Design, Lara Croft has trekked more than 25 countries and revolutionised the way the gaming community perceives lead characters in video games. Lara is an intrepid, empowered adventurer who must rely on her skills and intelligence not only to unravel ancient mysteries but also to survive in the most treacherous environments.

Eight further games complete the set: Elite; Dizzy; Populous; Lemmings; Micro Machines; Sensible Soccer; WipeOut and Worms.

Elite (1984) — was a pioneering space-trading game originally made for BBC Micro and Acorn Electron. Made by Cambridge based duo, David Braben and Ian Bell, the game is legendary and arguably changed the face of computer gaming. Using a tiny amount of memory, this was the first genuine 3D game where players navigated a spaceship through galaxies. It is regularly listed among the most important video games ever created.

Dizzy (1987) — was devised and created by the Oliver twins and published by Codemasters. It went on to become one of the most successful British game franchises of the era. Originally created for the Amstrad CPC, it quickly converted to ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and other computers and consoles. The game’s main character is an adventuring egg that runs and tumbles around a fantasy world solving puzzles by collecting interesting objects.

Populous (1989) — was the first civilisation building game and one of the most successful games for PC ever produced. A real-time strategy game, it has won numerous awards and has been voted among one of the most important games of all time. It was created by Bullfrog Productions.

Lemmings (1991) — was created by Dundee based DMA, and was one of the best received games of the 1990s. The objective is to save lemmings, and apply abilities to individuals to aid their escape.

 

Micro Machines (1991) — a ground-breaking race game developed by Codemasters, where players race miniature toy vehicles. Influential and immensely popular; the game is regarded as a classic.

 

Sensible Soccer (1992) — is considered by many to be the father of digital football games, and still retains a following. It was listed as one of the 10 most important video games of all time by a committee of US games experts.

 

WipeOut (1995) — was developed in Liverpool by Sony’s Psygnosis studio. WipeOut was a revolutionary futuristic racing game for the new PlayStation that became a cult hit. It featured original music by Orbital and The Chemical Brothers.

Worms (1995) — was published by Team 17 and featured cartoon-style warfare between worms. The series went on to become an international success story, helping Wakefield-based, Team 17, to become a leading international games publisher.

Philip Parker, Royal Mail said: “The UK has been at the forefront of the video games industry for decades. In the 1980s and 90s young designers grappled with coding on the new microcomputers and set the template for the industry with iconic games. We celebrate some of their landmark creations on stamps.”

Dr Jo Twist, OBE, CEO of Ukie, said: “This collection celebrates a selection of the great British video games that have helped define both the national and global development scene over decades. Video games are a key part of our cultural footprint and we’re pleased to see their contribution recognised in such memorable style.”

The full set of 12 stamps, available in a Presentation Pack, retails at £14.25.

The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/videogames and by phone on 03457 641 641.

The stamps will be available on general sale at 7,000 Post Offices across the UK from 21 January 2020.

Chrysanthemum Global (U.S. 2020)

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Announced by the USPS on December 30, 2019:

Chrysanthemum (Global)
Chrysanthemum is a new Global Forever international rate stamp that can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter to any country where First-Class Mail International service is available. The stamp is round and features a photograph of a pink chrysanthemum on a white background. Taken from above, the photograph highlights the intricate beauty of the bloom. The art director was William J. Gicker. Greg Breeding designed the stamp with an existing photograph by Hong Vo. This stamp will be issued April 24 in Burlingame, CA. Details about the dedication event will be announced at a later date.

Further updates will appear below the illustration.

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5460.

Updated April 17th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.95″ x 1.49″ The pictorial postmark measures 2.73″ x 0.88″

Updated March 31st:
The first-day ceremony was to be held at the WESTPEX stamp show, which was canceled.

From the Postal Bulletin:
On April 24, 2020, in Burlingame, CA, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Chrysanthemum Global Forever® international rate stamp in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 10 stamps (Item 572600). The stamp will go on sale nationwide April 24, 2020, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

Chrysanthemum is a new Global Forever® international rate stamp that can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter to any country in which First-Class Mail International® service is available. The stamp is round and features a photograph of a pink chrysanthemum arranged against a white background. Taken from above, the photograph highlights the intricate beauty of the bloom. The art director was William J. Gicker. Greg Breeding designed the stamp with an existing photograph by Hong Vo.

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 stamps at their local Post Office® or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must 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 – Chrysanthemum 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 August 24, 2020.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Chrysanthemum Stamp
Item Number: 572600
Denomination & Type of Issue: Global Forever International Rate
Format: Pane of 10 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: April 24, 2020, Burlingame, CA 94010
Art Director: William J. Gicker, Washington, DC
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Art: Hong Vo
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 10
Print Quantity: 65,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Stamp Orientation: Round
Image Area (w x h): 1.2 x 1.2 in./30.48 x 30.48 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 1.41 x 1.41 in./35.814 x 35.814 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.5 x 4.09 in./215.9 x 103.886 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Pantone Pink C, Pantone Black 6C
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “P” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in four corners of pane
Back: ©2019 USPS • USPS logo • Barcode (572600) behind each stamp • Plate position diagram (9) • Promotional text

Presorted Star (U.S. 2020)

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Announced by the USPS on December 30, 2019:

“…a convenient stamp for large-volume mailers…”

Presorted Star
In 2020, the Postal Service will offer the Presorted Star stamp, sold in self-adhesive coils of 3,000 and 10,000, intended for use by business mailers. This new stamp celebrates the beloved American Stars and Stripes by focusing on its vital components. The asymmetrical design includes one large white star, two white and three red stripes, and a brilliant blue background, as well as lettering and three small stars in gold. Greg Breeding was the art director and Matthew Pamer was the designer for the stamp. It will be issued Feb. 3. No dedication event is planned.

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5433.

Further updates will appear below the illustration.

January 21st: The “killerbar” postmark is the first-day postmark for this issue, similar to this mock-up:

Updated January 16th:
The USPS is selling smaller quantities than a full coil, through its mail/phone/internet sales operation:

760603 Strip of 25 with plate no. from the coil of 10,000, $2.50
750503 Strip of 25 with plate no. from the coil of 3,000, $2.50

Updated January 2 from the Postal Bulletin:

On February 3, 2020, in Kansas City, MO, the United States Postal Service will issue the Presorted Star stamp (Non-denominated priced at the Presorted Standard 10–cent rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 3,000 stamps (Item 750500) and coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 760600). The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 3, 2020, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

In 2020, the Postal Service will offer the Presorted Star stamp in self-adhesive coils of 3,000 and 10,000, and is intended for use by bulk mailers. This new stamp celebrates the beloved American Stars and Stripes by focusing on its vital components. The asymmetrical design includes one large white star, two white stripes and three red stripes, and a brilliant blue backdrop, as well as lettering and three small stars in gold. Matthew Pamer designed the stamp. Greg Breeding was the art director for the project.

Item 750500, Presorted Star (Non-denominated Priced at the Presorted Standard 10-cent Rate) PSA Coil of 3,000 Stamps: No automatic distribution
Item 760600, Presorted Star (Non-denominated Priced at the Presorted Standard 10-cent Rate) PSA Coil of 10,000 Stamps: 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. Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet First-Class Mail requirements. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office or at The Postal Store website at usps.com/shop. They must 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 – Presorted Star 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 June 3, 2020.

Technical Specifications — 3k Coil:

Issue: Presorted Star Stamp
Item Number: 750500
Denomination & Type of Issue: 10-cent Presorted Standard, Mail-use
Format: Coil of 3,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 3, 2020, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Matt Pamer, Portland, OR
Typographer: Matt Pamer, Portland, OR
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 3,000
Print Quantity: 30,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Cool Gray 7C, 7686 Blue, 1788 Red, 7503 Gold
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.098 x 24.892 mm
Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

Technical Specifications — 10k Coil:

Issue: Presorted Star Stamp
Item Number: 760600
Denomination & Type of Issue: 10-cent Presorted Standard, Mail-use
Format: Coil of 10,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 3, 2020, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Matt Pamer, Portland, OR
Typographer: Matt Pamer, Portland, OR
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 1,500,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Cool Gray 7C, 7686 Blue, 1788 Red, 7503 Gold
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.542 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.098 x 24.892 mm
Plate Size: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate number every 27th stamp below stamp image

Letter Carriers “Save Christmas”

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They’re saying a mail carrier in Southern California’s Inland Empire may have saved Christmas for many Riverside residents.

His delivery truck had broken down while making the rounds midday on Christmas Eve and he was waiting for a tow when it burst into flames.

He grabbed as many packages as he could from the truck. However, the truck and whatever the man couldn’t save were a total loss.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise newspaper reports the USPS will send a letter to all customers along the delivery route. Those who were expecting a package that might have been destroyed should contact the local USPS consumers affairs office at 858-674-2670.

We have a similar story from Osawatomie, Kansas, about 50 miles south of Kansas City. This letter carrier was able to save all the packages in his truck. The volunteer fire department posted on Facebook, “the mailman saved Christmas!”

Photos right and below by the Osawatomie fire department.

Neither postal worker was identified.

At the Intersection of Work & Philately

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by Lloyd A. de Vries.

A philatelist friend alerted me that this cover featuring ABC News anchors Max Robinson, Peter Jennings and Frank Reynolds, and autographed by each of them. I presently work as a freelance writer for ABC News, so I bid a few dollars and won it. With shipping and sales tax, my total was $4.52.

It’s not a pretty cover, and I wasn’t sure of its significance.
The description said “1976,” but upon closer examination, the postmark dates are 1978. When I brought it to work, coworkers pointed out that that was the year ABC’s evening television newscast was reformatted and named “World News Tonight,” which is its present name, in July 1978.

Robinson, the first African-American to anchor a major network’s newscast, was stationed in Chicago, with an emphasis on domestic news. Jennings anchored from London (thus the British stamp and cancel), reporting on foreign news. And Reynolds was in the network’s Washington bureau, for political news. There are Chicago, Washington and, for some reason, Buffalo NY cancels on the U.S. flag stamp.The (upside-down) reverse of the envelope has a London “backstamp” as well. There is no clue who produced the cover or whether more than one was produced.

According to Wikipedia, the format worked, and the ABC newscast eventually overtook both the CBS Evening News and NBC Nightly News, for the first ratings win in the news division’s history.

In 1983, Reynolds became ill and eventually died from bone cancer. Robinson’s personal problems took their toll, and he was pushed aside to the weekend edition, and Jennings became the sole anchor.

The autographs are probably worth more than the cover is as a philatelic item. It isn’t really “postal history,” either, because what it documents isn’t postal. I still think it’s a fun cover to own, and I’m glad I have it.

Big Bend Priority Mail Envelope (U.S. 2020)

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The Virtual Stamp Club has confirmed that, as in years past, there will be a Big Bend Priority Mail Flat-Rate Envelope. More details below as they become available. Below is the press release that announced the stamp.

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service to Issue New Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Stamps
Big Bend and Grand Island Ice Caves Featured on Stamps

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service [December 12th] revealed two additions to the 2020 Stamp Program: Big Bend and Grand Island Ice Caves. Both stamps will be released on Saturday Jan. 18, 2020. There will be no national first-day-of-issue ceremony for these stamps. Details on obtaining first-day-of-issue cancellations will be announced in a future Postal Bulletin issue.

These stamps are a convenient way for customers to pay for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Flat Rate shipping with a single stamp. Priority Mail is a fast domestic service that includes flat rate shipping in one, two or three business days based on where your package starts and where it’s being sent. Priority Mail Express is the fastest domestic service, with limited exceptions; available 365 days a year, with a money-back guarantee and delivery shipping to most U.S. addresses, including PO Boxes.

Big Bend stamp is here
With this Priority Mail stamp, the Postal Service celebrates the beauty of the Big Bend region in West Texas, where river, mountain and desert ecosystems coexist in its vast expanses. The stamp art depicts the Rio Grande flowing between the sheer limestone cliffs of Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

Grand Island Ice Caves is here.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.
Information on ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shop.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is U699.

Further updates will appear below the line, most recent first.

January 21st: The “killerbar” postmark is also available for this issue, similar to this mock-up:

Grand Island Ice Caves (U.S. 2020)

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[press release]
U.S. Postal Service to Issue New Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Stamps
Big Bend and Grand Island Ice Caves Featured on Stamps

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today revealed two additions to the 2020 Stamp Program: Big Bend and Grand Island Ice Caves. Both stamps will be released on Saturday Jan. 18, 2020. There will be no national first-day-of-issue ceremony for these stamps. Details on obtaining first-day-of-issue cancellations will be announced in a future Postal Bulletin issue.

These stamps are a convenient way for customers to pay for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express Flat Rate shipping with a single stamp. Priority Mail is a fast domestic service that includes flat rate shipping in one, two or three business days based on where your package starts and where it’s being sent. Priority Mail Express is the fastest domestic service, with limited exceptions; available 365 days a year, with a money-back guarantee and delivery shipping to most U.S. addresses, including PO Boxes.

Grand Island Ice Caves
With this new Priority Mail Express stamp, the Postal Service celebrates the winter beauty of the Grand Island Ice Caves in Lake Superior. Located near Munising on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Grand Island is marked by massive sandstone bluffs. Impressive in any season, the bluffs are especially dramatic in winter when lake water seeps into the crevices and caverns, forming magnificent ice curtains and icicles that hang like stalactites from ceilings. The stamp art features a colorful illustration of how one of these ever-changing ice caves might appear from the inside looking out toward the west at sunset. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

Big Bend is here.

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide.
Information on ordering first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers is at usps.com/shop.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5430.

Further updates will appear below the line, most recent first.

January 21st: The “killerbar” postmark is also available for this issue, similar to this mock-up:

December 20th: Here are the first day cancels for this issue:

The DCP measures 2.85″ x 1.25″ The B&W pictorial measures 2.74″ x 1.17″

December 19th: From the Postal Bulletin

On January 18, 2020, in Munising, MI, the United States Postal Service will issue the $26.35 Grand Island Ice Caves Priority Mail Express stamp in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of four stamps (Item 129100). The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 18, 2020, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.

With this new Priority Mail Express stamp, the United States Postal Service celebrates the winter beauty of the Grand Island Ice Caves in Lake Superior. Located near Munising on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Grand Island is marked by massive sandstone bluffs. Impressive in any season, they are especially dramatic in winter when lake water seeps into the crevices and caverns, forming magnificent ice curtains and icicles that hang like stalactites from ceilings. The stamp art features a colorful illustration of how one of these ever-changing ice caves might appear from the inside looking out toward the west at sunset. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 129100, $26.35 Grand Island Ice Caves Priority Mail Express PSA Pane of Four Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices.

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 stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store website at usps.com/shop. They must 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 – Grand Island Ice Caves 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 May 18, 2020.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Grand Island Ice Caves Stamp
Item Number: 129100
Denomination &
Type of Issue: $26.35 Priority Mail Express Rate
Format: Pane of 4 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 18, 2020, Munising, MI 49862
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Dan Cosgrove, Chicago, IL
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Stevens Vari-Size Security Press
Stamps per Pane: 4
Print Quantity: 1,260,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 1.085 in/36.068 x 27.559 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 1.225 in/39.624 x 31.115 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.12 x 3.45 in/104.648 x 87.63 mm
Plate Size: 100 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners of pane
Back: ©2019 USPS • USPS logo • Four barcodes (129100) • Plate position diagram (5) • Promotional text