“All Holland Bakes” (and sticks) (Netherlands 2018)

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[press release, translated using Google Translate]

The Hague, December 10, 2018 – This Sunday was the day: the first episode of a new TV season “Heel Holland Bakt” at broadcaster MAX. During the broadcast of RTL Late Night on 7 December, jury member Janny van der Heijden was surprised with special stamps on the occasion of the start of the 6th season.

Passionate amateur bakers
In the popular TV series “Heel Holland Bakt”, André van Duin, Jannyvan der Heijden and Robèrt Beckhoven go in search of the Netherlands’ mosttalented home baker. In 8 broadcasts, 10 passionate amateur bakers compete forhonor. Ultimately, there is only one winner, namely the one who, according tothe professional jury, best controls all baking disciplines.

From meringue to cheesecake
To celebrate the start of the 6th season PostNL has issued a “Heel HollandBakt” mail set. The post set consists of 5 maxi cards and a stamp sheetwith 5 different stamps. On the cards and on the stamps are colorful picturesof popular cakes and pastries: a meringue with currants and blueberries, acherry chocolate cake, an apple pie in rose form, a foam cake with raspberries,blackberries and blueberries and a cheesecake with figs. The stamp sheetletcontains a large photo of the entire jury of “Heel Holland Bakt.”

‘Fantastic’
Janny van der Heijden received the stamp sheet Friday in RTL Late Night.”Wow, I had not seen them yet. What have they become beautiful, fantastic!”

Availability
The postset “Heel Holland Bakt” consists of 5 maxi cards and a stampsheet with 5 different personal stamps with the value indication Nederland 1,intended for mail up to and including 20 grams with a destination within theNetherlands. The mail set costs 8.95 and can be ordered via www.postnl.nl/HeelhollandBakt since 7 December. The mail set can also be ordered by telephone at CollectClub’s customer service on telephone number 088 – 868 99 00. The period ofvalidity is undetermined.

APS Exec English Adds 2 More Years

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American Philatelic Society executive director Scott English has signed a contract renewal, through August 2021. (English is shown at right at a first-day ceremony in 2016.)

Even though his initial contract was not set to expire until August of 2019, the APS Board of Directors offered him a two-year extension, with the new terms effective December 1, 2018. English tells The Virtual Stamp Club he signed the offer last week.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve the members of the APS and we’ve made significant progress over the past three years,” he said in an email. “I work with a great team in Bellefonte and we have a Board that has invested in a strong future. We’ve reduced the debt, started our modernization plan, united the hobby, and delivered member services more efficiently.

“We have some exciting plans for the next few years, including online education, increasing traffic at our stamp shows, growing our grassroots, and building an international audience through promotion of Chicago 2021.”

The latter edition of StampShow, in 2021, will be held at the same time and in the same venue as the American Numismatic Association’s annual show (Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, IL, August 10-14, 2021). Staging APS StampShow in conjunction with ANA’s World’s Fair of Money has been a goal of APS leaders for many years.

Scott Catalogue U.S. Update (December 2018)

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5331 (50¢) Christmas – Madonna and Child
a. Convertible booklet pane of 20

5332 (50¢) Christmas – Head of Santa Claus
5333 (50¢) Christmas – Santa Claus and Wreath
5334 (50¢) Christmas – Santa Claus and Book
5335 (50¢) Christmas – Santa Claus and Card
a. Block of 4, #5332-5335
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #5332-5335

5336 (50¢) Christmas – Santa Claus and Book Souvenir Sheet

5337 (50¢) Kwanzaa

5338 (50¢) Hanukkah

Treasury Task Force: Overhaul The USPS

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A U.S. Treasury Department task force, ordered by President Trump, is proposing an overhaul to the U.S. Postal Service, including (and perhaps in particular) how it prices packages delivered by e-commerce companies like Amazon.

The task force says the USPS should price mailing these packages “with profitability in mind.”

The president has, in turn, criticized Amazon for treating the USPS as its “delivery boy.”

Keep in mind that Amazon is owned by Jeff Bezos, who now also owns the Washington Post. That newspaper is often critical of President Trump. However, the administration denies it is targeting Amazon.

The report does not call for privatizing the Postal Service.

Politico’s story can be found here. The New York Times has the Associated Press story as well as its own, titled “Trump Said Amazon Was Scamming the Post Office. His Administration Disagrees.”  CNN characterizes it as “White House backs off privatizing the Postal Service.” FoxNews.com apparently did not run the story.

Here is the Treasury Department’s press release:

Washington – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today released the Task Force report on the United States Postal System. The report, United States Postal System: A Sustainable Path Forward, provides a series of recommendations to overhaul the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) business model in order to return it to sustainability without shifting additional costs to taxpayers.

“The USPS is on an unsustainable financial path which poses significant financial risk to American taxpayers,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “President Trump tasked us with conducting a thorough evaluation of the USPS, and today’s report contains achievable recommendations that fulfill the President’s goal of placing the USPS on a path to sustainability, while protecting taxpayers from undue financial burdens and providing them with necessary mail services.”

Between fiscal year (FY) 2007 and FY 2018, the USPS experienced net losses totaling $69 billion. The USPS is forecast to lose tens of billions of dollars over the next decade. The USPS’s business model—including its governance, product pricing, cost allocation, and labor practices—must be updated in light of its current operating realities.

On April 12, 2018, President Trump issued the Executive Order on the Task Force on the United States Postal System. The Executive Order established a Task Force on the United States Postal System, chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury and including the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. The Task Force was directed to evaluate the operations and finances of the USPS and to develop recommendations for administrative and legislative reforms that will enable the USPS to create a sustainable business model.

The Task Force’s recommendations include, but are not limited to:

  • Improving governance by strengthening the Board of Governors and developing enforcement mechanisms to ensure financial commitments and reforms are met;
  • Clearly defining the Universal Service Obligation by specifying what are “essential postal services,” or types of mail and packages for which a strong social or macroeconomic rationale exists for government protection;
  • Developing a new pricing model that removes price caps and charges market-based prices for both mail and package items that are not deemed “essential postal services”;
  • Modernizing the USPS’s cost standards and cost allocation methodology;
  • Pursuing cost-cutting strategies that will enable it to meet the changing realities of its business model;
  • Reforming USPS employee compensation in a manner consistent with proposed reforms to the broader federal workforce;
  • Restructuring retiree health benefit liabilities with a new actuarial calculation that is based on employees at or near retirement age;
  • Exploring new services that will allow the USPS to exact value from its existing assets and business lines, but that present no balance sheet risk.

The Task Force’s full analysis and complete list of recommendations can be found in the full report.

George H.W. Bush (U.S. 2019)

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[press release – April 6th]
U.S. Postal Service Reveals New Forever Stamp Design Honoring Former President George H.W. Bush

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced it will issue a commemorative Forever stamp honoring former President George H.W. Bush, who died Nov. 30, 2018, at the age of 94.

The 41st president guided the United States through the end of the Cold War and drove the creation of a multinational coalition that successfully forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait in the Persian Gulf War.

An advocate for public service, Bush explained his vision of a nation of volunteers as “a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky.” [The stamp design was unveiled Saturday at the Bush Library, above]

The stamp art is a portrait of Bush painted by award-winning artist Michael J. Deas. It is based on a 1997 photograph taken by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Phil Jordan was the art director and stamp designer.

The first-day-of-issue ceremony will be held on the president’s birthday, June 12, at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, 1000 George Bush Drive West, College Station, TX. (shown below)

Robert M. Duncan, chairman of the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors, will serve as the dedicating official.

The stamp will be available for pre-order April 6, 2019, for delivery on or after the June 12 ceremony at usps.com/stamps, or by phone at 800-Stamp24 (800-782-6724).

The stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp, which will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Our initial posting here:
We can expect a stamp on or about June 12th for President George H.W. Bush, who passed away December 1st at the age of 94. He was born June 12, 1924, and U.S. custom is that former presidents are honored with a stamp on their first birthday after their death.

Although he was born in Milton, Mass., the family compound where he spent a significant part of each year is in Kennebunkport, Maine. He spent the rest of the year in Houston.

The USPS has not confirmed release of this stamp.

Here’s a larger version of this stamp:

Further details and information will appear below the line, in the order received.

From the May 9th Postal Bulletin:
On June 12, 2019, in College Station, TX, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the George H.W. Bush stamp (Forever priced at the First-Class Mail rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps (Item 478200). The stamp will go on sale nationwide June 12, 2019. The George H.W. Bush stamp must not be sold or canceled before the June 12th first-day-of-issue.

This stamp honors former President George H.W. Bush, who died on November 30, 2018, at the age of 94. The stamp art is a portrait of Bush painted by award-winning artist Michael J. Deas. It is based on a 1997 photograph taken by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. The 41st president of the United States guided the U.S. through the end of the Cold War and drove the creation of a multinational coalition that successfully forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait in the Persian Gulf War. An advocate for public service, Bush explained his vision of a nation of volunteers as “a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky.” Phil Jordan was the art director and stamp designer.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 478200, George H.W. Bush (Forever Priced at the First-Class Mail Rate) Commemorative Pane of 20 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

A special dedication postmark is available to local 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 – George H.W. Bush 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 October 12, 2019.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: George H.W. Bush Stamp
Item Number: 478200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 12, 2019, College Station, TX 77840
Art Director: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Designer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Typographer: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Artist: Michael J. Deas, New Orleans, LA
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 40,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Pantone 5513, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in/21.336 x 36.068 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in/24.892 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 7.24 in/150.368 x 183.896 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.84 x 21.72 in/300.736 x 551.688 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners
Back: ©2019 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (478200) • Plate position diagram • Promotional text

Updated May 18th:
Here are scratch versions of the first-day cancels:

Updated May 23rd:

[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Honoring Former President George H.W. Bush with Forever Stamp
First Day of Issue Event June 12th at Bush Center in College Station, Acknowledging President Bush’s 95th Birthday

What: The U.S. Postal Service is issuing a Forever stamp honoring George Herbert Walker Bush, America’s 41st president, who died on November 30, 2018.

The first day of issue event for the stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #GHWBushStamp or #USPresidentsStamps.

Who: Pierce Bush, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, Grandson of George H.W. Bush
Hon. Robert M. Duncan, Chairman, Board of Governors, U.S. Postal Service, and Dedicating Official
David B. Jones, President and CEO, George & Barbara Bush Foundation
Warren Finch, Director, George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Amb. Chase Untermeyer, Founding Chairman, Qatar-America Institute
Jean Becker, Former Chief of Staff, Office of George H.W. Bush

When: Wednesday, June 12, 2019, at 11 a.m. CDT

Where: Annenberg Presidential Conference Center
Frymire Auditorium
1002 George Bush Drive West
College Station, TX 77845

RSVP: Dedication ceremony attendees are encouraged to RSVP at usps.com/georgehwbush.

Background: George Herbert Walker Bush (1924–2018), served as America’s 41st president from 1989 to 1993. During his term in office, he guided the U.S. and its allies to a peaceful end of the Cold War, helped reunify Germany, and led a multinational coalition that successfully forced Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait during the Persian Gulf War.

On the domestic front, President Bush signed historic civil rights legislation to integrate Americans with disabilities more fully into society. His Clean Air Act tightened air pollution standards and dramatically reduced urban smog and acid rain. George Bush also called and inspired millions of Americans to serve their communities with his vision of “a thousand points of light.”

In addition to serving as vice president under President Reagan, Bush held a number of other senior leadership roles including Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China, and Director of Central Intelligence.

George H.W. Bush was the first sitting vice president elected president since Martin van Buren in 1836, and one of only two presidents to have a son who also served as Commander-in-Chief.

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.

Updated May 24th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark for this issue measures 2.94″x0.98″ The B&W pictorial measures 2.93″x0.94″ The “special” postmark, for other post offices, measures 2.24″x1.46″

Updated August 7th:
The Scott catalogue number for this issue is 5393.

U.S. Postal Service Offers Letters From Santa

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[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Letters FROM Santa Program Provides Santa’s Personalized Response to Your Child’s Letter
Great Photo Opportunity to Treasure for Years

WASHINGTON — Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus — and the U.S. Postal Service can help you prove it when Santa replies to your child’s letter — complete with a North Pole postmark (right).

Here are the steps for your child to get a letter back from Santa:

  1. Have your child write a letter to Santa and place it in an envelope addressed to: Santa Claus, North Pole.
  2. Later, when alone, open the envelope and write a personalized response.
  3. Insert the response letter into an envelope and address it to the child.
  4. Add the return address: SANTA, NORTH POLE, to the envelope.
  5. Affix a First-Class Mail stamp to the envelope, such as one of the new holiday stamps.
  6. Place the complete envelope into a larger envelope — preferably a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope — with appropriate postage and address it to:

North Pole Postmark
Postmaster
4141 Postmark Drive
Anchorage, AK 99530-9998

“Letters from Santa” must be received by the Anchorage, AK, postmaster no later than Dec. 15. Santa’s helpers at the Postal Service will take care of the rest.

Be sure to share the experience on social media using #LettersFromSanta.

Tips

  • To save paper, write Santa’s response on the back of your child’s letter. If you keep them together, your child will also be able to recall what he or she wrote.
  • When responding as Santa, make the response as personal as possible by highlighting your child’s accomplishments over the past year, for example, helping around the house, receiving good grades in a particular subject at school or participating in community service activities.
  • This is a great activity to do at Thanksgiving that the whole family can enjoy, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other caregivers.

The Letters from Santa program adds to the excitement of Christmas and is ideal to interest children in letter writing, stamps and penmanship.

U.S. Flag Envelope (U.S. 2020)

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Announced November 20, 2018. The most recent information will appear after the large illustration and the introductory description from the USPS. A familiar sight on public buildings and private homes alike, the American flag has been portrayed in myriad ways on U.S. postage. This stamped envelope features a graphic design of the flag that evokes a rich sense of history even as it presents a recognizable icon in a fresh, contemporary way. Kit Hinrichs created the artwork for this stamped envelope. Ethel Kessler served as art director.

The Scott catalogue number for this issue is U700.

Updated May 8, 2020 from the Postal Bulletin:

On June 15, 2020, in Liberty, MO, the United States Postal Service® will issue the U.S. Flag stamped envelope (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate).

A familiar sight on public buildings and private homes alike, the American flag has been portrayed in myriad ways on U.S. postage. This stamped envelope features a graphic design of the flag that evokes a rich sense of history even as it presents a recognizable icon in a fresh, contemporary way. Kit Hinrichs created the artwork for this stamped envelope. Ethel Kessler served as art director.

The water-activated gum (WAG) U.S. Flag stamped envelopes will be available in the following formats only through Stamp Fulfillment Services at usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724:

  • #10 regular envelope (Item 292300).
  • #10 window envelope (Item 292400).
  • #9 regular envelope (Item 291900).
  • #6-¾ regular envelope (item 281300).

The pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) U.S. Flag stamped envelopes will be available in the following formats in the field and through Stamp Fulfillment Services:

  • #10 regular envelope (Item 292100).
  • #10 window envelope (Item 292200).
  • #9 regular envelope (Item 291700).
  • #9 window envelope (Item 291800).
  • #6-¾ regular envelope (Item 281100).
  • #6-¾ window envelope (Item 281200).

No automatic distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamped envelopes at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

FDOI – U.S. Flag Stamped Envelope
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 15, 2020.

Technical Specifications – All:

Issue: U.S. Flag Stamped Envelope
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Forever Stamped Envelope
Issue Date & City: June 15, 2020, Liberty, MO 64068
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Kit Hinrichs, San Francisco, CA
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Print Quantity: Fulfillment
Envelope Orientation: Horizontal
Image Size (w x h): 1.505 x 1.103 in/38.227 x 20.016 mm
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS 339 Green
Marginal Markings: FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL Logo • “THIS ENVELOPE IS RECYCLABLE AND MADE WITH 30% POST CONSUMER CONTENT” • Recycling logo • ©USPS 2019

Item Number: 292300
Format: #10 Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in/241.3 x 104.775 mm

Item Number: 292400
Format: #10 Window Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in/241.3 x 104.775 mm

Item Number: 291900
Format: #9 Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 8.875 x 3.875 in/225.425 x 98.425 mm

Item Number: 281300
Format: #6-¾ Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Water-activated
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 6.5 x 3.625 in/165.1 x 92.075 mm

Item Number: 292100
Format: #10 Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in/241.3 x 104.775 mm

Item Number: 292200
Format: #10 Window Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 9.5 x 4.125 in/241.3 x 104.775 mm

Item Number: 291700
Format: #9 Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 8.875 x 3.875 in/225.425 x 98.425 mm

Item Number: 291800
Format: #9 Window Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 8.875 x 3.875 in/225.425 x 98.425 mm

Item Number: 281100
Format: #6-¾ Regular Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 6.5 x 3.625 in/165.1 x 92.075 mm

Item Number: 281200
Format: #6-¾ Window Envelope
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Halm Jet EM4000
Folding Machine: W&D #527
Paper Type: 61# Postal Envelope, Block, Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Envelope Size: (w x h): 6.5 x 3.625 in/165.1 x 92.075 mm

The only first-day postmark for this issue is the FIRST DAY OF ISSUE “killerbar.” No pictorial, no Digital Color Postmark.

Updated April 3, 2020: The USPS confirms this envelope will be issued in 2020, but did not give a day or first-day city.

Updated October 30th: “Due to existing inventory, the Flag envelope announced for 2019 was moved to the 2020 program,” a USPS spokesman tells The Virtual Stamp Club.

California Dogface Butterfly (U.S. 2019)

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Announced November 20, 2018. The most recent information will appear after the large illustration and the introductory description from the USPS. The Scott catalogue number is 5346. The California dogface graces the seventh non-machineable butterfly stamp for use on irregularly sized envelopes, such as square greeting cards, invitations or announcements. The stamp art was digitally created using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point. The result is a highly stylized, simplified image of a California dogface (Zerene eurydice) rather than an exact replica. Nationally known artist Tom Engeman created the stamp art. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

December 19th: This stamp will be issued Sunday, January 27th, with a Kansas City MO postmark but no first-day ceremony.

December 21st:

On January 27, 2019, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the California Dogface stamp (Non-denominated priced at the Non-machineable Surcharge rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 120100). The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 27, 2019, and must not be sold or cancelled before the first-day-of-issue.

The California dogface graces the seventh non-machineable butterfly stamp for use on irregularly sized envelopes, such as square greeting cards, invitations, or announcements. The stamp art was digitally created using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point. The result is a highly stylized, simplified image of a California dogface (Zerene eurydice) rather than an exact replica. Nationally known artist Tom Engeman created the stamp art. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 120100, California Dogface (Butterfly) Non-machineable Surcharge Rate, Non-denominated PSA Pane of 20 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 – California Dogface 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 27, 2019.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: California Dogface Stamp
Item Number: 120100
Denomination & Type of Issue: Non-machineable Surcharge Rate
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 27, 2019, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Artist: Tom Engeman, Kensington, MD
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 100,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America
Colors: Black, Pantone 2726, Pantone Black 6 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Square
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.085 in/27.559 x 27.559 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.225 in/31.115 x 31.115 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.9 x 7.12 in/149.860 x 180.848 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: CALIFORNIA DOGFACE • Plate numbers in four corners
Back: ©2016 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (120100) • Plate position diagram • Promotional text

Updated January 17th:
An earlier Postal Bulletin had indicated a Digital Color Postmark for this issue, and showed a design. The USPS now says there will not be one. We have inquired why, since the last thee or four nonmachineable-rate butterfly stamps did have DCPs, and a design was obviously prepared for this one.

“Sales data did not support the continuation of Digital Color Postmarks for the non-machinable surcharge stamps,” USPS spokesman Roy Betts said on January 22nd, in response to an email inquiry from The Virtual Stamp Club.

Meanwhile, here is the design for the Pictorial first-day postmark: It measures 2.98″x1.39″.

Coral Reefs (U.S. 2019)

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Announced November 20, 2018. The most recent information will appear after the large illustration and the introductory description from the USPS. Four new postcard stamps celebrate the beauty and wonder of coral reefs. Each stamp depicts a type of stony coral, along with associated reef fish, in a highly stylized manner: elkhorn coral, shown with two French angelfish; brain coral, with a spotted moray eel; staghorn coral, with bluestriped grunts; pillar coral, with a coney grouper and neon gobies. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps. Tyler Lang created the stamp art.

Updated February 28th:
On March 29, 2019, in St. Louis, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Coral Reefs stamps (non-denominated priced at the postcard rate) in four designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 120200) and a PSA coil of 100 stamps (Item 745100). The stamps will go on sale nationwide March 29, 2019, and must not be sold or cancelled before the first-day-of-issue.

Four new postcard stamps celebrate the beauty and wonder of coral reefs. Each stamp depicts a type of stony coral, along with associated reef fish, in a highly stylized manner:

  • Elkhorn coral, shown with two French angelfish;
  • Brain coral, with a spotted moray eel;
  • Staghorn coral, with bluestriped grunts; and
  • Pillar coral, with a coney grouper and neon gobies.

Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps. Tyler Lang created the stamp art.

  • Item 120200, Coral Reefs (Non-denominated Priced at the Postcard Rate) PSA Pane of 20 Stamps
  • Item 745100, Coral Reefs (Non-denominated Priced at the Postcard Rate) PSA Coil of 100 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. 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 – Coral Reefs Stamps
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 July 29, 2019.

Technical Specifications (pane):

Issue: Coral Reefs Stamps
Item Number: 120200
Denomination & Type of Issue: Postcard Rate Non-denominated, Mail-use
Format: Pane of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: March 29, 2019, St. Louis, MO 63121
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Tyler Lang, Portland, OR
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist: Tyler Lang, Portland, OR
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 125,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Pantone 635 C Seafoam, Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Pantone 2234 C Aqua
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.73 x 0.84 in./18.542 x 21.336 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.87 x 0.98 in./22.098 x 24.892 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.35 x 4.93 in./135.89 x 125.222 mm
Plate Size: 400 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back: ©2018 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (120200) • Plate position diagram • Promotional text

Technical Specifications (coil):

Issue: Coral Reefs Stamps
Item Number: 745100
Denomination & Type of Issue: Postcard Rate Non-denominated, Mail-use
Format: Coil of 100 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: March 29, 2019, St. Louis, MO 63121
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Designer: Tyler Lang, Portland, OR
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist: Tyler Lang, Portland, OR
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Coil: 100
Print Quantity: 600,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.70375 x 0.84 in./17.875 x 21.336 mm
Stamp Size (w x h): 0.84375 x 0.98 in./21.431 x 24.892 mm
Coil Size (w x h): 0.98 x 84.375 in./24.892 x 2143.125 mm
Colors: Pantone 635 C Seafoam, Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Pantone 2234 C Aqua
Plate Size: 768 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by six (6) single digits
Coil Number Frequency: Plate numbers every 32nd stamp below stamp image

Updated March 5th:

Only a pictorial (B&W) first-day cancel is being offered for this issue: It measures 2.90″ x 1.39″

Updated May 6th:
Here are the Scott catalogue numbers for this issue:

5363 (35¢) Coral Reefs – Elkhorn coral and French angelfish, serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾
5364 (35¢) Coral Reefs – Brain coral and Spotted moray eel, serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾
5365 (35¢) Coral Reefs – Pillar coral, Coney grouper and Neon gobies, serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾
5366 (35¢) Coral Reefs – Staghorn coral and Blue-striped grunts, serpentine die cut 11¼x10¾
a. Horiz. or vert. strip of 4, #5363-5366

5367 (35¢) Coral Reefs coil stamp – Pillar coral and Coney grouper and Neon gobies, serpentine die cut 9 ½ vert.
5368 (35¢) Coral Reefs coil stamp – Staghorn coral and Blue-striped grunts, serpentine die cut 9 ½ vert.
5369 (35¢) Coral Reefs coil stamp – Elkhorn coral and French angelfish, serpentine die cut 9 ½ vert.
5370 (35¢) Coral Reefs coil stamp – Brain coral and Spotted moray eel, serpentine die cut 9 ½ vert.
a. Horiz. strip of 4, #5367-5370

Bethesda Fountain Priority Mail Express (U.S. 2019)

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Announced November 20, 2018. The most recent information will appear after the large illustration and the introductory description from the USPS. The Scott catalogue number is 5348. With this Priority Mail Express stamp, the Postal Service commemorates the Bethesda Fountain, one of Central Park’s most iconic structures. Dedicated in 1873, the fountain is a gathering place beloved by New Yorkers and out-of-town visitors alike. The stamp art features a stylized depiction of the fountain. The illustration was first rendered as a pencil sketch and then scanned and finished digitally. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

December 19th: This stamp will be issued Sunday, January 27th, with a Kansas City MO postmark but no first-day ceremony.

December 21st:

On January 27, 2019, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the $25.50 Bethesda Fountain Priority Mail Express stamp in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of four stamps (Item 129900). The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 27, 2019, and must not be sold or cancelled before the first-day-of-issue.

With this Priority Mail Express stamp, the Postal Service commemorates the Bethesda Fountain, one of Central Park‘s most iconic structures. Dedicated in 1873, the fountain is a gathering place beloved by New Yorkers and out-of-town visitors alike. The stamp art features a stylized depiction of the fountain. Art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 129900, $25.50 Bethesda Fountain 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 – Bethesda Fountain 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 27, 2019.

Updated January 9th:

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Bethesda Fountain Stamp
Item Number: 129900
Denomination & Type of Issue: $25.50 Priority Mail Express® Rate
Format: Pane of 4 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 27, 2019, Kansas City, MO 64108
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: 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)
Press Type: Muller A76
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: 24 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in two corners of pane
Back: ©2018 USPS • USPS Logo • Four barcodes (129900) • Plate position diagram • Promotional text

Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue: The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.19″x1.41″. The B&W pictorial measures 2.84″1.42″.