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![\"\"](\"http:\/\/virtualstampclub.com\/lloydblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/s_dragons.png\")
The Postal Service celebrates dragons, the high-flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia.<\/p>\n[USPS press release March 20th<\/sup>] \u201cWe\u2019re very excited to bring these beautiful stamps to the 132nd annual APS convention,\u201d said U.S. Postal Service Stamp Services Director Mary-Anne Penner. \u201cThis is one of the premier stamp shows in America and serves as an excellent platform to showcase these special stamps.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to have USPS unveil these great stamps with us in Columbus,\u201d said Scott The new stamps will be issued as a pane of 16 stamps showcasing one of four designs: a green fire-breathing dragon towering over a medieval-inspired castle; a purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snaking around a white castle; a black dragon with green wings and green armor on its back swooping past a ship on the sea; and a wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda.<\/p>\n The stamps feature digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamps. News of the stamp Background<\/strong><\/span> In the Far East, dragons are ubiquitous. The wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda is inspired by creatures found in Asian art, architecture, European folklore inspired the dragons on two other stamps. The purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snakes around a white castle that evokes Camelot. The green fire-breathing dragon towers over a medieval-inspired castle. The fierce beasts have even become part of the identity of many countries.<\/p>\n Updated July 4, 2018:<\/span><\/strong> The U.S. Postal Service celebrates dragons, the high- flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia. Each of the stamps showcases one of four dragons: Availability to Post Offices: Item 477500, Dragons (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) Commemorative Pane of 16 Stamps Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.<\/p>\n How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:<\/strong><\/span> FDOI \u2013 Dragons Stamps<\/span><\/strong> 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 December 9, 2018<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Technical Specifications:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Updated July 7, 2018:<\/span><\/strong> Updated August 3, 2018:<\/span><\/strong> What:<\/strong><\/span> The U.S. Postal Service will celebrate dragons: The high-flying, fire-breathing creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia will be featured on 16 new Forever stamps during a first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony at the American Philatelic Society Stamp (APS) Show co-hosted by the American Topical Association.<\/p>\n Please share the news using the hashtag #DragonStamps. This ceremony is free and open to the public. RSVP at usps.com\/dragons . (Note: Attendees must register onsite at the APS registration booth to receive a pass for access to the exhibit floor where the ceremony will be held.)<\/p>\n Who:<\/strong><\/span> When:<\/strong><\/span> Noon EDT, Thursday, Aug. 9<\/p>\n Where:<\/strong><\/span> American Philatelic Society National Summer Convention Stamp Show Followers of the U.S. Postal Service\u2019s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com\/USPS.<\/p>\n Background:<\/strong><\/span> Throughout history and across the globe \u2014 from Europe to the Middle East to Asia to the Americas \u2014 people have enjoyed tales of the mythological creatures. Though these legendary animals vary in shape, size and color, they\u2019re most often described as lizard-like with four legs, sharp claws, scales, wings, and spiky tails. The stamps feature four colorful dragons set against four unique backgrounds.<\/p>\n Each of the 16 stamps showcases one of four dragons: a green fire-breathing dragon towering over a medieval-inspired castle; a purple dragon with orange wings and sharp black armor on its back snaking around a white castle; a black dragon with green wings and green armor on its back swooping past a ship on the sea; and a wingless orange dragon weaving its way around a pagoda.<\/p>\n The stamps feature digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio. Art director Greg Breeding designed the issuance.<\/p>\n Updated October 2nd:<\/span><\/strong> Here are the Scott Catalogue numbers for this issue: Although the USPS only says these stamps will be issued during APS StampShow, August 9-12, in Columbus, Ohio, we have confirmed the first-day date is Thursday, August 9th. The latest updates, including the USPS press release on the date and … Continue reading
\nDragons Coming to a Post Office Near<\/span> You!<\/strong><\/span>
\n Postal Service to Feature Mythological Creatures on Stamps at APS National Summer Convention Stamp Show
\n<\/em><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/virtualstampclub.com\/lloydblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/us_dragon4-191x300.png\")
WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Postal Service will be joined by the American Philatelic Society (APS) to unveil four colorful stamp designs of 16 Forever stamps depicting dragons \u2014 the high-flying, fire-breathing mythological creatures that have roamed our imaginations for millennia \u2014 at the APS national summer convention and stamp show Aug. 9-12 in Columbus, OH.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/virtualstampclub.com\/lloydblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/us_dragon3-194x300.png\")
English, APS executive director. \u201cThere will be something for the whole family highlighting this cool theme. No experience necessary, so we hope you join us!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/virtualstampclub.com\/lloydblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/us_dragon2-192x300.png\")
<\/strong><\/span>s can be shared using the hashtag #DragonStamps.<\/p>\n
\nThroughout history and across the globe \u2014 from Europe to the Middle East to Asia to the Americas \u2014 people have enjoyed tales of mythological creatures. Though these legendary animals vary in shape, size and color, they\u2019re most often described as lizard-like with four legs, sharp claws, scales, wings and spiky tails. The stamps feature four colorful dragons set against four unique backgrounds.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/virtualstampclub.com\/lloydblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/us_dragon1-193x300.png\")
folk religion and ancient lore. The Chinese, in particular, have venerated the dragon for thousands of years.<\/p>\n
\nOn August 9, 2018, in Columbus, OH, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Dragons stamps (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 16 stamps (Item 477500). The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 9, 2018. The Dragons pane of 16 stamps may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n
Each of the stamps and the header feature orange foiled highlights that add a fire-like glint. At the top of the pane, \u201cDragons\u201d appears alongside a black fire-breathing dragon. The stamps are digital illustrations created by artist Don Clark of Invisible Creature studio, while Greg Breeding served as art director.<\/p>\n
\nCustomers 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:<\/p>\n
\nUSPS Stamp Fulfillment Services<\/span><\/strong>
\n8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300<\/span><\/strong>
\nKansas City, MO 64144-9900<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nIssue: Dragons Stamps
\nItem Number: 477500
\nDenomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
\nFormat: Pane of 16 (4 designs)
\nSeries: N\/A
\nIssue Date & City: August 9, 2018, Columbus, OH 43216
\nArt Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
\nDesigner: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
\nTypographer: Don Clark, Maple Valley, VA
\nArtist: Don Clark, Maple Valley, VA
\nModeler: Sandra Lane\/Michelle Finn
\nManufacturing Process: Offset, Hot Foil Stamping
\nPrinter: Banknote Corporation of America
\nPrinted at: Browns Summit, NC
\nPress Type: Alprinta 74, M\u00fceller-Martini Custom
\nStamps per Pane: 16
\nPrint Quantity: 30,000,000 stamps
\nPaper Type: Phosphor, Block Tagged
\nAdhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
\nProcessed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
\nColors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
\nStamp Orientation: Vertical
\nImage Area (w x h): .84 x 1.42 in.\/21.34 x 36.07 mm
\nOverall Size (w x h): .98 x 1.56 in.\/24.89 x 39.62 mm
\nFull Pane Size (w x h): 4.542 x 8.375 in.\/115.367 x 212.725 mm
\nPress Sheets Size (w x h): 9.084 x 19.375 in.\/230.73 x 492.13 mm
\nPlate Size: 128 stamps per revolution
\nPlate Numbers: \u201cB\u201d followed by four (4) single digits
\nMarginal Markings:
\nFront: Header: Dragons \u2022 Plate number in two corners
\nBack: \u00a92017 USPS \u2022 USPS logo \u2022 Two barcodes (477500) \u2022 Plate Position Diagram \u2022 Promotional text<\/p>\n
\nThe Postal Bulletin<\/em> shows 4 Digital Color Postmarks and one B&W pictorial for this issue. We have received no guidance from the USPS as to size, or if a specific DCP goes with a specific stamp, but here are the designs: ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/virtualstampclub.com\/lloydblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/dragon_cxls.png\")
<\/p>\n
\n[from the USPS]<\/em>
\nDragons Forever!<\/strong><\/span>
\nU.S. Postal Service to Feature Mythological Creatures on Stamps<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
\nMary-Anne Penner, director, Stamp Services, U.S. Postal Service
\nJoshua Colin, vice president, Area Operations, Eastern Area, U.S. Postal Service
\nScott D. English, executive director, American Philatelic Society
\nJanet Klug, chair, Citizens\u2019 Stamp Advisory Committee<\/p>\n
\nGreater Columbus Convention Center
\nExhibit Hall B
\n400 N. High St.
\nColumbus, OH 43215<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/virtualstampclub.com\/lloydblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/us_dragon4-96x150.png\")
5307 (50\u00a2) Dragons \u2013 Green Dragon and Castle
\n5308 (50\u00a2) Dragons \u2013 Purple Dragon and Castle
\n5309 (50\u00a2) Dragons \u2013 Blue Dragon and Ship
\n5310 (50\u00a2) Dragons \u2013 Orange and Pink Dragon and Pagoda
\na. Strip or block of 4, #5307-5310
\nb. Horiz. strip of 4, #5307-5310, die cutting missing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"