Queen Elizabeth II (Canada 2016)

Posted on January 11, 2016 by VSC

can_fashionqueen [press release]
New stamp features British fashion photographer’s celebrated portrait capturing Queen’s ‘very kind eyes’
OTTAWA, Jan. 11, 2016 /CNW/ – A black-and-white portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II taken by legendary British fashion photographer David Bailey adorns the latest in a long line of Canadian stamps honouring The Queen.

The photo, taken at Buckingham Palace in 2014 to mark The Queen’s 88th birthday, shows Her Majesty in a dress chosen by Angela Kelly, her personal assistant and senior dresser. The Queen is wearing pearls and smiling easily. In his portrait, Bailey successfully homed in on what he described as The Queen’s “very kind eyes” and “mischievous glint.”

Queen Elizabeth II has been immortalized by many of the greatest photographers in the 20th and 21st centuries. She has been featured on more than 60 stamps issued by Canada Post.

Also issued today are five definitive stamps featuring Canadian UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The stamps feature images of Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia; SGang Gwaay, British Columbia; the Rideau Canal in Ontario; the Landscape of Grand Pré, Nova Scotia; and Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Alberta. Canadian World Heritage sites are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

About the Queen Elizabeth II stamp
Designed by Steven Slipp of Wolfville N.S., the stamp measures 20.25 mm x 23.25 mm and has simulated perforation. The stamp is printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using four-colour lithography. It is pressure sensitive and the Official First Day Cover is cancelled in Victoria, BC. The stamp, booklets of 10, and the OFDC are available at post offices across the country and at canadapost.ca.

About the Canadian UNESCO sites stamps
This series brings these lush landscapes to Canada in permanent stamps issued in booklets of 10 and 30. The domestic-rate stamps, measuring 24 mm by 20 mm, are also available in a souvenir sheet of five stamps, a souvenir sheet Official First Day Cover and five postage paid postcards. The OFDC will be cancelled in Ottawa, Ontario. Lara Minja, of Victoria, B.C.-based Lime Design, created the stamps. The shape of the visual frame, with one rounded corner, adds a special touch to the composition. A splash of red in the flag at the bottom contrasts with the richness of the imagery. The stamps and related products are available at post offices across the country and at canadapost.ca/shop – where stamp images can also be downloaded.

Britain’s Royal Mail Celebrates 500 Years

Posted on January 7, 2016 by VSC

[press release]
500 YEARS OF HISTORY DELIVERED TO YOUR DOORSTEP

2016 commemorates 500 years since Henry VIII knighted Brian Tuke, the first Master of the Posts, in 1516.

As you would expect from any institution that has been around for 500 years, there are a number of significant dates in our history. The knighting of Brian Tuke was the catalyst for the creation of the Royal Mail we know today. Tuke had the influence and authority to establish key post towns across the country and build out a formal postal network.

To celebrate, Royal Mail is working in close partnership with its heritage partner, the British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA), to create an online gallery of 500 objects, people and events, telling the story not only of the postal service but also of our contribution to social and political development over the last 500 years.

Moya Greene, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Mail, said: “We are proud to celebrate the heritage of this great company. The history of the postal service in the UK reflects the tremendous societal and political change that has taken us from sixteenth century Tudor England to the United Kingdom today.

“In all its guises, Royal Mail has been responsible for a number of world firsts – the Penny Black stamp and the first ever airmail flight to name just two. It has also changed almost beyond recognition, from a small group of King’s Messengers in those early days to a national network connecting consumers, companies and communities across the UK today.

“Against this backdrop of continued change, Royal Mail’s people have been a constant presence. They are the heart of this company. I hope that, through them, we will continue to deliver the Universal Service and play an instrumental role in people’s lives for many years to come.”

Origins of Royal Mail

1516: Henry VIII knighted Brian Tuke, the first Master of the Posts. Tuke had the influence and authority to establish key post towns across the country and build a formal postal network.
Before 1635: The postal service operated only for the King and the Court
1635: The postal service was opened up to the general public by King Charles I. A Letter Office was established in London, and six post roads were formalised, including Dover to London, to carry mail across the country
1660: The Post Office Act created the publicly-owned postal service
1711: The Post Office Act paved the way for a unified postal service across Scottish and English (including Wales) administrations following the 1707 Act of Union. Ireland followed in 1808
1840: The reform – over a number of years – of the Post Office by Rowland Hill and others defined the basis of the modern postal service as we know it today and coincided with the broader social and technological changes sweeping across Victorian society at the time
1883: The launch of Parcel Post reflected a growing appetite among both residential and business customers to send and receive parcels. The growth of parcels saw the term ‘Letter Carrier’ replaced with ‘postman’, which is still in use today
Royal Mail and Social Change
1840: The introduction of the Penny Post prompted an unprecedented expansion in the popularity of mail, as it became more affordable. Mail volumes rose from 67 million in 1839 to 242 million by 1844, with a further lift to more than one billion letters by 1875
1840 onwards: The rise of mail was accompanied by a significant increase in literacy levels as the UK became more industrialised and there was a greater provision of early education
1901: The Association of Post Office Women Clerks was founded. It was the first association in the UK civil service to represent female clerical workers
1861: British entrepreneur Pryce Pryce-Jones set up the first modern mail order company. He distributed Welsh flannel catalogues across the country, allowing people to choose the items they wished and to order them via post
Royal Mail employees were some of the first in the UK to receive a company pension, before the introduction of the state pension by David Lloyd George in 1908
1959: Postcodes were introduced on a trial basis in Norwich and then rolled out nationally from 1965-1972. The system is widely recognised as one of the most granular and precise Postcode systems in the world
World Firsts
1661: The first Bishop mark (or postmark as it is known today) was used. This identified the date of dispatch to give confidence in the speed and reliability of the mail. It was named after the then Postmaster General, Henry Bishop
1840: The Penny Black, the first adhesive postal stamp, launched. As the inventor of the postage stamp, the UK is the only country in the world that does not have its country name on the stamp
1840: The release of the Penny Black also marked the origins of the Universal Service, under which postal rates became uniform across the country
1911: The first scheduled airmail service flew from Hendon to Windsor, as part of the celebrations for the Coronation of King George V. Aviator Gustav Hamel was at the helm for the maiden flight, which was a precursor to the opening up of the postal service overseas
How the Mail Was Delivered
1516: Busy towns kept a special stable, known as a post, ready to carry mail at a moment’s notice. Letters travelled at speeds averaging 7 to 8 miles per hour in summer and 5 miles per hour in winter. Fresh horses were supplied every 10 to 15 miles
1784: Horse drawn coaches featuring the Royal Mail livery were deployed for the first time to transport the mail, following a trial run between Bristol and London. Other routes to major cities soon followed. The departure of the night mail from London was a public spectacle, with hundreds of onlookers gathering to watch the coaches depart
1800s: King’s Messengers were employed by the government to carry messages from the Admiralty during wars. They were often required to board sail-driven packet ships in order to deliver messages to the theatre of conflict
1821: Steam-driven packet ships were introduced to deliver mail across the British Empire and the Commonwealth, leading to the founding of Royal Mail Ships (RMS) in 1840. The ships proved popular with passengers too, as they ran to strict timetables to ensure mail was delivered on time
1830: The General Post Office and the Liverpool and Manchester Railway reached an agreement that saw the start of mail being carried by train. The first route was between Liverpool and Manchester
1907: The first motor vehicle, a two and a half tonne lorry called the Maudslay Stores Number 1, entered the service. The vehicle was in service for 18 years during which it covered over 300,000 miles
1934: German rocket engineer, Gerhard Zucker, made the suggestion that mail could be delivered by rockets. He failed to persuade the company that they were a viable option
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/rocket-mail/

The People Made Royal Mail

1665: 45 people were employed by the postal service. Employee numbers climbed to nearly half a million in the 20th century
1836: Moses Nobbs was the longest serving Mail Guard in the Royal Mail, serving 55 years (1836-1891) initially on the Mail Coaches and later on the railways in Travelling Post Offices (TPOs)
1880: Post Office telegraphy clerk, Charles Garland begins to campaign for better healthcare and working conditions for staff during the consumption crisis. The campaign led to development of the first healthcare fund in the country. The Post Office Sanatorium Society was founded in 1905, leading to much improved conditions across the company. The fund continues today as The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, with almost 900,000 members
1880: Henry Fawcett from Salisbury was appointed Postmaster General in 1880. With the support of his wife Millicent Fawcett, who founded the Fawcett Society, he campaigned for the employment of women
1908: Mrs Elizabeth Dickson retired as a rural postwoman after 30 years and 8 months’ service. She was never late for duty and had only taken off 14 days for illness
1912: Two British postal workers died aboard the RMS Titanic. James Bertram Williamson and John Richard Jago Smith were determined to save the mail as the ship went down, with a witness saying they “urged them to leave their work. They shook their heads and continued.” They died alongside US postal workers Oscar Scott Woody, John Starr March, and William Logan Gwinn
1941: The General Post Office approves women’s trousers, named “Camerons” after the postwoman Jean Cameron who requested their introduction
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/jean-cameron-born-19211922/

Royal Mail and the British Empire

1737: Founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was appointed Postmaster of Philadelphia under the British Parliamentary Post. He, alongside William Hunter, streamlined the postal system in the US to increase take up and make it profitable
1847: The ‘Post Office’ Mauritius stamps were first issued. They were the first stamps to be issued in the British Empire. They are among the rarest in the world, with a value of around one million pounds. The plates were engraved by Joseph Barnard from Portsmouth, who stowed away on a ship to get to Mauritius
1937: Launch of the Empire Mail Scheme, which lowered the cost of sending letters to British Empire destinations. The scheme was a success, with over 91 million letters being sent in 1938

Royal Mail’s Role in the Two World Wars
World War I

1914-1918: 12,000 postal workers served in The Post Office Rifles throughout the First World War. 1,800 were killed and over 4,500 wounded
1914-1918: During the First World War, Royal Mail saw a huge rise in letters and parcels sent to loved ones fighting abroad. At its peak, 2,500 staff handled 12 million letters and a million parcels in a week
1914-1918: To cope with the increase, Royal Mail built the Home Depot, an enormous wooden temporary sorting office in Regent’s Park that covered several acres
1914-1918: Four former postal workers were awarded the Victoria Cross – Sgt Albert Gill from Birmingham, Sgt Alfred Knight from Nottingham, Major Henry Kelly from Manchester and Sgt John Hogan, a postman from Oldham

World War II

1944: General Dwight D Eisenhower wrote to the Postmaster General, thanking staff for keeping the network of communications open across the country in the run up to D-Day
Eisenhower wrote: ‘The build-up of the necessary forces for the current operations has involved the construction of a vast network of communications radiating from key centers of vital importance in the United Kingdom. The greater part of this work has been undertaken by the Engineers and Staff of the General Post Office’
1941: Airgraph, based on microfilm technology, was introduced in the Second World War as a solution to the circuitous route for air communication between Britain and the Middle East. It helped reduce the size of mail while maintaining the volume of letters sent

The Role of Animals

1868: Cats were first officially appointed by the Post Office to catch rodents. Three cats worked at the Money Order Office in London, with an allowance of one shilling a week
1950: Probably the most famous feline is Tibs who lived in the Royal Mail Headquarters refreshment club in the basement of the building. After Tibs died on 23 November 1964, his obituary in the January 1965 Post Office Magazine was headed “Tibs the Great is No More”
1898: Horses harnessed to coaches were used to deliver a growing amount of mail. As a valuable part of the delivery process, the horses were entitled to sick leave. A note from 1898 states that ‘Mr T C Poppleton’s horse…is suffering from sore shoulders and unable to perform his official duties’
1943: During the Second World War, there were 22,000 pigeons in service

The “Royal” in “Royal Mail”

Starting with Henry VIII, the UK postal service has operated under 21 monarchs
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/king-s-posts/
1840: Queen Victoria was the first monarch in the world to appear on a postage stamp with the launch of the Penny Black
1840s: Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and the second son of Queen Victoria begins the Royal stamp collection, with the ‘Kirkcudbright Cover’ bearing ten Penny Blacks
1853: Postboxes first appear with the insignia, or cypher, of the monarch reigning at the time of placement
1966: Queen Elizabeth II approved Arnold Machin’s design of her to be used on what came to be known as the ‘Machin series’ of British definitive postage stamps. Her Majesty’s image has appeared more than 180 billion copies produced to date

Stamps

1840: The introduction of the Penny Black meant postage was paid by the sender and the price set by weight. Before this point, recipients usually had to pay postage, and were charged by the number of sheets in the letter and distance travelled
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/the-first-postage-stamp-queen-victoria-1d-black-the-penny-black-1840/
1940: Following the outbreak of the Second World War, and the resulting greater co-operation between Britain and France, there were many calls for a joint stamp issue. The plans were eventually abandoned
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/proposed-anglo-french-union-issue-1940/
1951: The plan to celebrate the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851 with a Festival was accompanied by a request for a complete new range of stamps. The stamps were issued on 3 May 1951, the day the Festival was officially opened
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/festival-of-britain-4d-1951/
1965: The then Postmaster General, Tony Benn, worked with designer David Gentleman to modernise stamp design. The reason for the creation of Special Stamps was to celebrate events and commemorate anniversaries relevant to UK heritage and life. The stamp of Sir Winston Churchill, issued in July of that year, was designed by Gentleman and was the first under Benn’s administration
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/modern-special-stamp-programme-born-with-churchill-commemoration-1965/
2012: Twenty nine stamps were produced to commemorate Great Britain’s gold medal winners at the London 2012 Olympic Games
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/celebrating-britain-s-2012-gold-medal-athletes/
Images of The Queen form the most frequent subject on Royal Mail Special Stamps (in addition to Her Majesty’s silhouette which can be found in the corner of every stamp). The next most popular individual to feature is The Duke of Edinburgh. He is followed by William Shakespeare
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/most-frequent-top-3-people-to-feature-on-stamps/
Christmas
1843: The postal service played an important role in defining the archetypal Victorian Christmas. Henry Cole launched the first Christmas card with an initial print run of 1,000. The cards originally cost a shilling each, the equivalent of about £36 today. In 2001, an original card sold at an auction for £25,000
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/first-christmas-card-1843/
Mid 1800s: Robins began gracing the front of Christmas cards. This change was a result of the bright red waistcoat that Royal Mail postmen and women wore
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/the-changing-face-of-christmas-cards/
1963: Royal Mail was appointed by Santa to reply to letters addressed to him. In the first year, Royal Mail replied to over 8,000 letters. It was such a success, the Postmaster General, Reginald Bevins – was labelled ‘Santa Bevins’
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/letter-from-santa-1963/
Royal Mail today
As the UK’s sole designated Universal Service Provider, Royal Mail delivers the ‘one-price-goes-anywhere’ service to more than 29 million addresses, across the UK, six-days-a-week
Royal Mail handles more than one billion parcels and more than 16 billion letters a year¹
With a workforce of more than 140,000 people, the company is one of the UK’s largest employers
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/employees-20th-century/
On average, one in 180 employed people in the UK works for Royal Mail
Royal Mail made the 6th largest contribution to the UK economy of all UK corporations in 2014¹
The organisation has a fleet of more than 49,000 vehicles delivering mail to all parts of the country
http://500years.royalmailgroup.com/gallery/expansion-of-the-vehicle-fleet/
In 2004, The British Postal Museum & Archive (BPMA) is established as an independent charity to care for five centuries of Royal Mail history. 2017 will see the new rebranded The Postal Museum open in central London, bringing a wealth of stories from British social and communications history to life
In 2014, Royal Mail introduced around 30 new services, products and promotions to enhance its customer offering
Royal Mail red – which features on the vans, uniforms and post boxes – is part of the DNA of Royal Mail as well as part of the fabric of UK life
In 2015, Royal Mail was named as the global leader in its sector in the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Indices

Year of the Monkey (Canada 2016)

Posted on January 6, 2016 by VSC

Updated February 12th: The international-rate stamp, its Official First Day Cover and the picture postcard are all sold out.

[press release]
Monkey takes centre stage in 12-year Lunar New Year series OTTAWA, Jan. 6, 2016 /CNW/ – Today, Canada Post unveiled the images that will be featured on commemorative stamps celebrating the Year of the Monkey, which begins February 8, 2016 and ends January 27, 2017. The Monkey is the eighth stamp in Canada Post’s 12-year Lunar New Year series, which began with the Ox.

The stamps are being released in two waves – one for domestic rate (January 11) and another for international rate (February 1). All stamps and related products can be pre-ordered on canadapost.ca/shop.

Domestic and international stamps were inspired by the legend of the Monkey King, also known as Sun Wukong, one of the main characters in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Also transformed into a famous Chinese opera, the story tells of how the sovereign accompanied the monk Xuanzang on a journey to India to retrieve sacred Buddhist texts known as sutras.

Designed by Albert Ng and Linna Xu, the domestic stamp depicts a golden figure that is vibrant and alive against a rich red background that provides a stark and striking contrast, while the international-rate stamp features a stylized Monkey King mask with red and gold accents. Popular Chinese New Year’s greetings appear at the edge of the pane of 25 and on the OFDCs.

Those born in the Year of the Monkey are said to possess brilliance, flexibility and inventiveness, along with an excellent memory and strong will to succeed. They can, however, be easily frustrated by delays, tend to look down on others and have a fast-flaring temper. Canadians born to this lunar year include singer Céline Dion, actress Kim Cattrall and legendary pianist Glenn Gould.

About the stamps
The Year of the Monkey domestic and international stamps measure 32 mm x 32 mm and the souvenir sheet 40 mm x 140 mm. In the first wave, issued January 11, are: a Permanent™ stamp that comes in a pane of 25 or a booklet of 10 (stamps in the pane are embossed and foiled); Permanent™ stamp OFDCs; and a postcard. Available February 1 will be: an international stamp that comes in a booklet of six; a single stamp souvenir sheet that includes foil and embossing; a transitional souvenir sheet that honours both the Ram (2015) and the Monkey (2016) and includes foil and embossing; a souvenir sheet OFDC; an uncut press sheet with foil and embossing; a postcard; and frames.

Star Quilts (U.S. 2016)

Posted on December 30, 2015 by VSC

Updated September 3rd: The Scott Catalogue numbers for these stamps are 5098-5099.

Updated June 23rd: These are the item numbers for collectors who want to order quantities of 25.

781003 $6.25 Star Quilts (Presort First Class 3K) Strip of 25 w/ Plate No.
799903 $6.25 Star Quilts (Presort First Class 10K) Strip of 25 w/ Plate No.

There is a four strip limit

Updated June 10th, from the Postal Bulletin:

s_starquilts The first day of issue is July 6th.

On July 6, 2016, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the nondenominated Presorted First-Class Mail (25-cent value) Star Quilts stamps, in two designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 3,000 (Item 781000) and 10,000 (Item 799900).

The stamps will go on sale nationwide July 6, 2016.

The U.S. Postal Service issues Star Quilts, two Presorted First-Class Mail stamps for bulk mail use. Each stamp shows a detail from a photograph of one of the two quilts, highlighting the intricate work involved in creating the Lone Star design. Both quilts feature colorful eight-point stars. The quilts were made by Amish quiltmakers. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps with existing photographs by John Volk.

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices. Post Offices may order stamps through SFS Web prior to the FDOI. Offices should draw down existing inventory of the Spectrum Eagle stamps (Item 788400, 3k or Item 788500, 10k) prior to ordering the Star Quilts stamps.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
s_starquilts 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:

Star Quilts Stamps
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

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 September 6, 2016.

There is one philatelic product for this stamp issue:
799916 First-Day Cover (2 stamps, 1 of each design), $0.94.

Technical Specificiations:

s_starquilts Issue: Star Quilts Stamps
Item Number: 781000
Denomination & Type of Issue: Nondenominated, Presorted First-Class Mail
Format: Coil of 3,000 (2 designs)
Series: N?A
Issue Date & City: July 6, 2016, Washington, DC 20060
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photos: John Volk
Modeler: Sandra Lane?Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 3,000
Print Quantity: 150 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black,
PMS 1795 (Red)
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: 560 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: ìBî followed by five (5) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 28th stamp below stamp image

Technical Specifications:

s_starquilts Issue: Star Quilts Stamps
Item Number: 799900
Denomination & Type of Issue: Nondenominated, Presorted First-Class Mail
Format: Coil of 10,000 (2 designs)
Series: N?A
Issue Date & City: July 6, 2016, Washington, DC 20060
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photos: John Volk
Modeler: Sandra Lane?Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 500 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black,
PMS 1795 (Red)
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: 560 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: ìBî followed by five (5) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 28th stamp below stamp image

From the USPS:

Presorted First-Class (2 designs)
FDOI: Information to come.
Format: Coils of 3,000 and 10,000

s_starquilts With evocative names like Blazing Star, Touching Stars, and Starburst, stars are one of the most popular design motifs for American quilters. The 2016 Presorted First-Class Mail® stamps feature two versions of one of those favorites, the Lone Star pattern.

Each stamp shows a detail from a photograph of one of the two quilts highlighting the intricate work involved in creating the star design. As the name implies, the Lone Star design is one large star that covers the quilt top, created by stitching together many small diamond shaped pieces of fabric.

The Lone Star design has been known by several names, including the Mathematical Star, the Star of the East, and, among Native Americans, the Morning Star. The first dated example that carried the name “Lone Star” is inscribed “1835” and was made in Texas the year before the fall of the Alamo. The quilts featured in the stamp art were made by Amish quilt makers.

Art Director: Derry Noyes

[This seems to imply there will be future “quilts” stamps. —LdeV]

La Cueva del Indio (U.S. 2016)

Posted on December 30, 2015 by VSC

Updated March 7th: The Scott Catalogue number for this issue is 5040; the imperforate single is 5040a. The stamped envelope is U693.

Updated January 21st: From the Postal Bulletin:
s_cueva On January 17, 2016, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service® issued the $6.45 La Cueva del Indio Priority Mail® stamp, in one design, in a pressure–sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 10 stamps (Item 119100).

The stamp went on sale nationwide January 17, 2016.

With this new Priority Mail stamp, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates one of Puerto Rico’s many magical and mysterious caves, La Cueva del Indio. The stamp art depicts a sunset view of La Cueva del Indio, or the Cave of the Indian, which is located near Arecibo on Puerto Rico’s north coast. The cave gets its name from the great number of engravings, known as petroglyphs, found on its walls. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

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:

La Cueva del Indio Stamp
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

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 March 17, 2016.

There are four philatelic products for this stamp issue:

119106, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $387.00 (print quantity 300).
119108, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $387.00 (print quantity 500).
119116 First-Day Cover, $6.89.
119121 Digital Color Postmark, $7.60.

Technical Specifications:

s_cueva Issue: La Cueva Del Indio
Item Number: 119100
Denomination & Type of Issue: $6.45 Priority Mail Price
Format: Pane of 10 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 17, 2016, Washington,
DC 20066
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Dan Cosgrove, Chicago, IL
Artist: Dan Cosgrove, Chicago, IL
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 10
Print Quantity: 12 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
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./36.07 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 1.225 in./39.62 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.12 x 7.12 in./104.64 x 180.85 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 8.24 x 21.36 in./209.30 x 542.54 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • UPC Code in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Static UPC Code behind each stamp • Plate Position Diagram • Website Information

Updated January 15th: This stamp will be issued January 17th, still with a Washington postmark and still without a ceremony.

From the USPS:

Priority Mail
FDOI: January in Washington, DC (no ceremony)
s_cueva Format: Pane of 10

With this new Priority Mail® stamp, the U.S. Postal Service® celebrates one of Puerto Rico’s many magical and mysterious caves, La Cueva del Indio.

The stamp art depicts a sunset view of La Cueva del Indio, or the Cave of the Indian, which is located near Arecibo on Puerto Rico’s north coast.
The cave gets its name from the great number of engravings, known as petroglyphs, found on its walls.

Art Director: Greg Breeding
Illustrator: Dan Cosgrove

Columbia River Gorge (U.S. 2016)

Posted on December 30, 2015 by VSC

Updated March 7th: The Scott Catalogue number for this issue is 5041; the imperforate single is 5041a.

Updated January 21st: From the Postal Bulletin:
s_gorge On January 17, 2016, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service® issued the $22.95 Columbia River Gorge Priority Mail Express® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 10 stamps (Item 119300).

The stamp went on sale nationwide January 17, 2016.

With this new Priority Mail Express stamp, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge. Approximately 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, the gorge runs along the Columbia River, which forms part of the border between Oregon and Washington. The stamp art captures the beauty of the Columbia River as it winds its way through the steep cliffs of the Cascade Mountain Range. The historic Vista House, sitting atop Crown Point and overlooking the river 725 feet below, shimmers in the golden light of the setting sun. Art director Phil Jordan designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

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:

Columbia River Gorge Stamp
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

There are four philatelic products for this stamp issue:

119306, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $688.50 (print quantity 100).
119308, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $688.50 (print quantity 250).
119316 First-Day Cover, $23.39.
119321 Digital Color Postmark, $24.10.

Technical Specifications:

s_gorge Issue: Columbia River Gorge
Item Number: 119300
Denomination & Type of Issue: $22.95 Priority Mail Express Price
Format: Pane of 10 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 17, 2016, Washington, DC 20066
Designer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Art Director: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Typographer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Artist: Dan Cosgrove, Chicago, IL
Modeler: Michelle Finn/Sandra Lane
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 10
Print Quantity: 1,500,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 1.085 in./36.07 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 1.225 in./39.62 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 4.12 x 7.12 in./104.65 x 180.85 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 4.12 x 21.36 in./104.65 x 542.54 mm
Plate Size: 150 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Two (2) selvage UPC codes plus one (1) UPC code per stamp • Website information

Updated January 15th: This stamp will be issued January 17th, still with a Washington postmark and still without a ceremony.

From the USPS:

Priority Mail Express
FDOI: January in Washington, DC (no ceremony)
s_gorge Format: Pane of 10

With this new Priority Mail Express™ stamp, the U.S. Postal Service® celebrates the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge. Approximately 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, the gorge runs along the Columbia River, which forms part of the border between Oregon and Washington.

The stamp art captures the beauty of the Columbia River as it winds its way through the steep cliffs of the Cascade Mountain Range. The historic Vista House, sitting atop Crown Point and overlooking the river 725 feet below, shimmers in the golden light of the setting sun.

Art Director: Phil Jordan
Illustrator: Dan Cosgrove

10-Cent Pears (U.S. 2016)

Posted on December 30, 2015 by VSC

Added January 17, 2019:
A 3,000-stamp coil was added, effective January 27th. It is item 750300.

Updated February 17, 2017: The 2017 sheet version has been split off into its own page.

Updated January 5, 2017: The USPS says a version or versions of this stamp will be issued March 23rd in Cleveland at the Garfield-Perry March Party stamp show. There is no word on the format or formats. Further updates for the 2017 version are here.

From 2016:

Updated March 7th: The Scott Catalogue number for this issue is 5039; the imperforate single is 5039a.

Updated January 21st: From the Postal Bulletin:
s_pears On January 17, 2016, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service® issued the 10-cent Pears stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 799300).

The stamp went on sale nationwide January 17, 2016.

Pears, a new 10-cent definitive stamp, features two red pears on a white background. The stamp art is an existing illustration by John Burgoyne, who created the original artwork with pen and ink and watercolor. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Pears Stamp
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

Technical Specifications:

s_pears Issue: Pears
Item Number: 799300
Denomination & Type of Issue: 10-cent Denominated
Format: Coil of 10,000 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 17, 2016, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Art: John Burgoyne, West Barnstable, MA
Modeler: Michelle Finn/Sandra Lane
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 200,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS Warm Gray4, PMS 7619 Red
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: 540 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by six (6) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 27th stamp below stamp image

Updated January 15th: This stamp will be issued January 17th, still with a Washington postmark and still without a ceremony.

From the USPS:

s_pears Pears 10-Cent (1 design)
FDOI: January in Washington, DC (no ceremony)
Format: Information to come.
In 2016, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue a new ten-cent definitive stamp featuring two red pears on a white background.

Art Director: Derry Noyes
Illustrator: John Burgoyne. Burgoyne used pen and ink and watercolor to produce the original art.

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

Posted on December 30, 2015 by VSC

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

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_grapes City, 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_grapes envelopes 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

There is one philatelic product for this stamp issue:

781916 First-Day Cover, $0.98.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Grapes
Item Number: 781900
s_grapes Denomination & 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_grapes FDOI: 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.

1-Cent Apples (U.S. 2016)

Posted on December 30, 2015 by VSC

Updated October 4th: The Scott Catalogue number for this issue is 5037.

Updated August 4th: From the USPS:
s_apples On August 12, 2016, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue a 1-cent Apples mail-use stamp in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 3,000 (782300) and also a PSA coil of 10,000 (780000).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide August 12, 2016.

In 2016, the Postal Service™ issues Apples, a new 1-cent definitive stamp. The stamp art features two apples on a branch surrounded by leaves. The illustration was 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 of either version.

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 envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

Apples Stamp
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-0001

s_apples 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 12, 2016.

There are no philatelic products for the coil of 3,000.
There is one philatelic product for the coil of 10,000: 780016 First-Day Cover, $0.92.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Apples Stamp
Item Number: 782300
Denomination & Type of Issue: 1-cent, Mail-Use
Format: Coil of 3,000, 1 design
Series: N⁄A
Issue Date & City: August 12, 2016, Kansas City, MO 64108
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
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
s_apples Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 3,000
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 7571C Brown, 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

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Apples Stamp
Item Number: 780000
Denomination & Type of Issue: 1-cent, Mail-Use
Format: Coil of 10,000, 1 design
Series: N⁄A
Issue Date & City: August 12, 2016, Kansas City, MO 64108
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
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 10,000
Print Quantity: 1,000,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 7571C Brown, 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

Updated August 3rd: This stamp will be issued August 12th, without a first-day ceremony and with a Kansas City postmark. The format will be coils of 3,000 and 10,000.

From the USPS:

s_apples FDOI: Information to come.
Format: Information to come.

In 2016, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue a new one-cent definitive stamp featuring Albemarle Pippin Apples.
The stamp design features two apples on a branch surrounded by leaves.

Art Director: Derry Noyes
Illustrator: John Burgoyne. Burgoyne used pen and ink and watercolor to produce the original art.

U.S. Flag (U.S. 2016)

Posted on December 30, 2015 by VSC

Updated March 7th: The Scott Catalogue numbers for this issue are:

5052 (49¢) Flag coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” to right of pole under flag, serpentine die cut 11 vert.
5053 (49¢) Flag coil stamp, with microprinted “USPS” on second white flag stripe, serpentine die cut 9½ vert.
5054 (49¢) Flag booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” to right of pole under flag, serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides
a. Convertible booklet pane of 10
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20
5055 (49¢) Flag booklet stamp, with microprinted “USPS” on second white flag stripe, serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾ on 2 or 3 sides
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

Updated January 21st: From the Postal Bulletin:
s_flag On January 29, 2016, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the U.S. Flag First-Class Mail® stamp (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in one design. The formats available are a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) booklet of 10 stamps (Item 679100) produced by security printer Banknote Corporation of America/SSP (SSP), a PSA booklet of 20 stamps (Item 680500) produced by security printers Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd (APU) and SSP, and a PSA coil of 100 stamps (Item 787300) produced by security printers APU and SSP.

The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 29, 2016.

The American flag has long symbolized the strength and spirit of our nation. This U.S. Flag First-Class Mail Forever stamp features a detail of Emmanuel Faure’s vivid photograph of a flag waving against the background of the sky. Greg Breeding designed the stamp. Terrence W. McCaffrey was the art director.

U.S. Flag Stamp
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282

There is one philatelic product for the booklet of 20:

680516 First-Day Cover, $0.93.

There is one philatelic product for the coil of 100:

787316 First-Day Cover, $0.93.

There are no philatelic products for the booklet of 10.

Technical Specifications:

s_flag Issue: U.S. Flag
Item Number: 679100
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Booklet of 10 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 29, 2016, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: Terrence W. McCaffrey, New Braunfels, TX
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Emmanuel Faure
Modeler: Michelle Finn/Sandra Lane
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Booklet: 10
Print Quantity: 100,000,000 Stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x .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
Booklet Size (w x h): 5.31 x 1.74 in./134.87 x 44.20 mm
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black,
PMS 5405
Plate Size: 560 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: © 2015 USPS in peel strip area

Technical Specifications:

s_flag Issue: U.S. Flag
Item Number: 680500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 29, 2016, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: Terrence W. McCaffrey, New Braunfels, TX
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Emmanuel Faure
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 1,250,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
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
Full Booklet Size (w x h): 5.52 x 1.96 in./140.21 x 49.78 mm
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Plate Size: 1040 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Header. “U.S. Flag” Twenty First-Class Forever Stamps • Plate numbers in peel strip area • Barcode • © 2015 USPS in peel strip area

Technical Specifications:

s_flag Issue: U.S. Flag
Item Number: 680500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Double-Sided Booklet of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 29, 2016, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: Terrence W. McCaffrey, New Braunfels, TX
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Emmanuel Faure
Modeler: Michelle Finn/Sandra Lane
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Booklet: 20
Print Quantity: 1,250,000,000 Stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.71 x .82 in./18.03 x 20.83 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
Booklet Size (w x h): 5.52 x 1.96 in./140.21 x 49.78 mm
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS 5405
Plate Size: 960 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: • Plate numbers in peel strip area • © 2015 USPS in peel strip area

Technical Specifications:

s_flag Issue: U.S. Flag
Item Number: 787300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 100 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 29, 2016, Washington, DC 20066
Art Director: Terrence W. McCaffrey, New Braunfels, TX
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Emmanuel Faure
Modeler: Michelle Finn/Sandra Lane
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 1,000,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS 5405
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: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by five (5) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 31st stamp below stamp image

Technical Specifications:

s_flag Issue: U.S. Flag
Item Number: 787300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Coil of 100 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 29, 2016, Washington, C 20066
Art Director: Terrence W. McCaffrey, New Braunfels, TX
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Existing Photo: Emmanuel Faure
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 1,000,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 5405
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: 744 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 31st stamp below stamp image

From the USPS:

FDOI: January in Washington, DC (no ceremony)
s_flag Format: Booklets of 10 and 20, Coils of 100

The American flag has long symbolized the strength and spirit of our nation.
This U.S. Flag First-Class Mail® Forever® stamp features a detail of Emmanuel Faure’s vivid photograph of a flag waving against the background of a blue sky.

Art Director: Terrence W. McCaffrey
Designer: Greg Breeding