Updated September 4, 2020:
This stamp is going back on sale. In response to a question from The Virtual Stamp Club, there will be no special collector servicing (i.e., postmarks) for the return to sale.

[press release]
Alzheimer’s Semipostal Fundraising Stamp Returning
Stamp Sales Resume, Oct. 5

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service is resuming sale of the Alzheimer’s Semipostal fundraising stamp Oct. 5 resulting from rule changes announced in September 4th’s Federal Register.

The Semipostal Authorization Act grants the Postal Service authority to issue and sell semipostal fundraising stamps to advance causes deemed to be “in the national public interest and appropriate.”

Before the rule change, the Postal Service was permitted to offer only one semipostal stamp of its choosing for a two-year period, in addition to any semipostal stamps mandated by Congress. The change eliminates this restriction, allowing USPS to resume the sale of the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp, which debuted in 2017.

The Federal Register’s Sept. 4 edition has more information.

The price of the stamp includes the First-Class Mail single-piece postage rate in effect at the time of purchase plus an amount to fund Alzheimer’s research. By law, revenue from sales of the Alzheimer’s Semipostal stamp — minus the postage paid and the reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred by the Postal Service — will be distributed to the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Ethel Kessler served as art director for the stamp, while artist Matt Mahurin created the design.

Updated January 2, 2018: Scott Publishing has assigned this the catalogue number B6.

Updated November 24th: There is no Digital Color Postmark for this issue, but there is a pictorial hand cancel: It measures 2.99 by 1.08 inches.

Updated November 2nd:
[press release]
U.S. Postal Service Previews Alzheimer’s Semipostal Fundraising Stamp Image
Dedication to take place Nov. 30

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service has previewed the image of the Alzheimer’s Semipostal fundraising stamp.

It also announced the stamp will be dedicated at 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 30 at Johns Hopkins Asthma & Allergy Center Atrium, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 5501 Hopkins Bayview Circle, Baltimore, MD 21224.

Available nationwide Nov. 30, the Alzheimer’s Semipostal stamp will be sold for 60 cents. The price includes the first-class single-piece postage rate in effect at the time of purchase plus an amount to fund Alzheimer’s research. By law, revenue from sales of the Alzheimer’s Semipostal stamp — minus the postage paid and the reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred by the Postal Service — will be distributed to the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The event is free and open to the public. RSVP is required to attend the ceremony. Please RSVP at usps.com/alzheimers. Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the first-day-of-issue ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS. Customers may pre-order the stamps at usps.com/shop in early November for delivery shortly after the Nov. 30 issuance. Please share the news on social media using the hashtag #AlzheimersStamp.

Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer Megan J. Brennan will dedicate the stamp. In attendance will be Kathy Siggins of Mount Airy, MD, who followed the discretionary semipostal program criteria for submitting the stamp suggestion. Siggins’ husband succumbed to the disease in 1999.

The artwork is an illustration that first appeared on the 2008 42-cent Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp (shown on the right). It shows an older woman in profile with a caring hand on her shoulder with the suggestion of sunlight behind her and clouds in front of and below her. On the 2008 stamp, she was facing left; the artwork for this stamp shows her facing right to help differentiate between the two stamps. Stamp artist Matt Mahurin of Topanga Canyon, CA, worked under the direction of art director Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, MD.

The Semipostal Authorization Act, Pub. L. 106–253, grants the U.S. Postal Service discretionary authority to issue and sell semipostal fundraising stamps to advance such causes as it considers to be ‘‘in the national public interest and appropriate.’’ Under the program, the Postal Service intends to issue five semipostal fundraising stamps over a 10-year period, with each stamp to be sold for no more than two years. The Alzheimer’s Semipostal stamp is the first and will be followed by a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) semipostal stamp to be issued in 2019. The next three discretionary semipostal stamps have not yet been determined.

Under the Act, the Postal Service will consider proposals for future semipostals until May 20, 2023. The Federal Register notice outlining this program can be found at the following url: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-04-20/pdf/2016-09081.pdf.

Proposals will only be considered if they meet all submission requirements and selection criteria. They may be submitted by mail to the following address:

Office of Stamp Services
Attn: Semipostal Discretionary Program
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260–3501

Suggestions may also be submitted in a single Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file sent by email to semipostal@usps.gov. Indicate in the Subject Line: Semipostal Discretionary Program.
There are currently two semipostal stamps available for sale that has been mandated by Congress. These are the Breast Cancer Research Semipostal which has raised more than $86.1 million and the Save Vanishing Species Semipostal which has raised more than $4.3 million as of September 2017. Visit this link for additional information.

All postage stamps are available for purchase at Post Offices, online at usps.com, and by toll-free phone order at 1-800 STAMP-24.

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

Updated October 11th with information from the Postal Bulletin:
However, there is still no design, no date and no first-day city.

The U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp (Nondenominated, First-Class Mail® priced at 60 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 564200). A November release date is anticipated for the stamp; more information will be announced as it becomes available. The Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp will appear in a future edition of the Postal Bulletin and must not be sold before the official first-day-of-issue.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 564200, Alzheimer’s Semipostal (Nondenominated, First-Class Mail priced at 60 cents) PSA Pane of 20 Stamps: Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) will  an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™ of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales.

Sales Policy
As has been the case with current and previous semipostal stamp issues, all Post Offices must maintain a sufficient inventory level of this item until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale. The stamp is well supported by a variety of organizations and individuals who expect that the stamp will be available at all Post Offices. If supplies run low, Post Offices must reorder additional quantities using normal ordering procedures.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Alzheimer’s Semipostal Stamp
Item Number: 564200
Denomination & Type of Issue: Nondenominated, First-Class Mail (60 cents)
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: TBD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Art Director: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist: Matt Mahurin
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 Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 500,000,000 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 614/Beige, PMS 451/Brown
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.42 in./27.56 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.56 in./31.12 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.12 x 7.24 in./180.85 x 183.90 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): N/A
Plate Size: 120 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “B” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back: © 2016 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (564200) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text

Initial Post on October 3rd:

The U.S. will issue a semi-postal (charity) stamp in November to help fund the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. No date or location was given, nor was the stamp design revealed.

This will be the first of five semi-postal stamps to be issued over the next ten years, with each stamp to be on sale for no more than two years. However, it should be pointed out that the first U.S. semi-postal, for Breast Cancer Awareness (Sc. B1), was also supposed to be on sale for only a limited amount of time, but legislation in Congress has kept it on sale since it was first issued in 1998.

The Alzheimer’s semi-postal will be the sixth issued by the United States, and the first since 2014, when a modified-design version of the first was released. U.S. semipostal stamps are good for first class mail, but currently sell for 60 cents. The additional 11 cents goes to a designated charity.

The U.S. issued an Alzheimer’s Awareness stamp in 2008 as part of its social consciousness program. (Shown above.) However, it was not a semipostal.

Here is the USPS press release:

WASHINGTON — The Semipostal Authorization Act, Pub. L. 106–253, grants the U.S. Postal Service discretionary authority to issue and sell semipostal stamps to advance such causes as it considers to be ‘‘in the national public interest and appropriate.’’ The U.S. Postal Service announced today that in November it will issue the first of five semipostal stamps.

Under the semipostal discretionary program, the Postal Service will issue five stamps over a 10-year period, with each stamp to be sold for no more than two years.

The first stamp issued will be an Alzheimer’s Semipostal Stamp, followed by a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Semipostal Stamp in 2019. The next three discretionary semipostal stamps have not yet been determined.

The Alzheimer’s Semipostal Stamp will be issued during National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Net proceeds will be distributed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Details on issuance date and location will be provided at a later date.

President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in 1983. At the time, fewer than two million Americans were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s; today, that number has soared to nearly 5.4 million.

Semipostal stamps, currently sold for 60-cents, are First-Class Mail (FCM) postage stamps that are issued and sold by the Postal Service at a price above the FCM single-piece one-ounce stamp rate (FCM rate) to raise funds for designated causes.

The difference between the FCM rate in effect at the time of purchase and the 60 cent purchase price, minus an amount to offset costs incurred by the Postal Service, if any, is contributed to the specific cause by law.

Under the Semipostal Authorization Act, the Postal Service will consider proposals for future semipostals until seven years after May 20, 2016. The Federal Register notice outlining this program can be found at the following url: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-04-20/pdf/2016-09081.pdf.

Proposals will only be considered if they meet all submission requirements and selection criteria. They may be submitted by mail to the following address:

Office of Stamp Services
Attn: Semipostal Discretionary Program
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260–3501

Suggestions may also be submitted in a single Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file sent by email to semipostal@usps.gov. Indicate in the Subject Line: Semipostal Discretionary Program.

All postage stamps are available for purchase at Post Offices, online at usps.com, and by toll-free phone order at 1-800 STAMP-24.

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

Updated December 4th: The Scott catalogue numbers for the U.S. issues are:

5252 (49¢) History of Ice Hockey – Player Wearing Helmet and Protective Gear
a. As No. 5252, matte-finish paper
5253 (49¢) History of Ice Hockey – Player Wearing Hat and Scarf
a. As No. 5253, matte-finish paper
b. Vert. pair, #5252-5253
c. Souvenir sheet of 2, #5252a-5253a

The numbers for the Canadian issues have not yet been assigned.

Updated October 20th:
Here are the designs for the souvenir sheets:

[Canada Post press release]
History of Hockey stamps go on sale in Canada, the U.S.
Sixth joint issue celebrates pure love of the game in both countries

DETROIT – History of Hockey stamps went on sale in Canada and the United States today after being unveiled at the Belfor Training Center at the Little Caesars Arena complex, which is home to the Detroit Red Wings.

“The joint stamp issue is the sixth by Canada Post and the United States Postal Service (USPS). The subjects chosen for the joint issues highlight how much our nations have in common. Hockey is one of those things,” said Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra. “These stamps celebrate the shared love of hockey, a game now firmly rooted in the lore of both nations.” (The Canadian booklet pane is shown on the right.)

Generation after generation, across North America and much of the world, hockey has thrilled boys and girls, young and old. As the decades have glided by, equipment has evolved and styles have changed, but the excitement of playing remains ingrained in us.

Hockey Hall of Famer Red Kelly (below right, photo by Daniel Afzal,USPS), who was honoured in the 2014 Original Six™ Defenceman issue of Canada Post’s five-year NHL® series, spoke at the unveiling ceremony.

“There is nothing like the game of hockey. It’s the greatest game in the world. Having played professional hockey in both the United States and Canada, it is wonderful for me to see the United States Postal Service and Canada Post unite to produce the History of Hockey stamps, depicting hockey at its purest roots,” said Mr. Kelly, who won the Stanley Cup® Championship four times with the Detroit Red Wings and another four with the Toronto Maple Leafs. “I am pleased to be back in Detroit and part of this occasion.”

“The Howe family applauds Canada Post and the United States Postal service for their tremendous collaborative efforts and vision to create the History of Hockey stamp set,” said Dr. Murray Howe, Gordie Howe’s youngest son. “The stamps will serve as a beautiful symbol of the bond between our two nations, and as a tribute to the players, teams, officials, concessioners, broadcasters, reporters, sponsors, and fans who all play an integral role in this sport we love so much. We owe much to the game of hockey, and feel blessed to be a part of this momentous occasion.”

The Canadian stamps are sold in booklets of 10, the U.S. stamps in panes of 20. In Canada, consumers can purchase a souvenir sheet of two Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover souvenir sheet with two Canadian Permanent™ stamps. There is also a joint Official First Day Cover, with two Canadian stamps and two U.S. Forever stamps (shown above).

About the History of Hockey stamps
Available in a self-adhesive booklet of 10 for $8.50, the two domestic rate Permanent™ stamps measure 26 mm x 40 mm with simulated perforations and are printed in four-colour process plus two special inks. Designed by Roy White of Subplot Design Inc. of Vancouver, the issue features photography by KC Armstrong, with retouching by Brad Pickard, and was printed by Lowe-Martin. The issue also includes a gummed souvenir sheet, featuring a gummed tête-bêche pair. This souvenir sheet also appears on an Official First Day Cover cancelled in Windsor, Ontario. The joint Official First Day Covers feature two tête-bêche pairs, one pair at the Canadian domestic Permanent rate and one at the United States’ Forever domestic rate. The joint cover also features two cancels, one from Detroit, Michigan, and one from Windsor, Ontario.

Les timbres sur l’histoire du hockey sont en vente au Canada et aux É.-U.
Cette sixième émission conjointe célèbre la passion des deux pays pour le hockey.

DÉTROIT – Les timbres sur l’histoire du hockey ont été mis en vente aujourd’hui au Canada et aux États-Unis après avoir été dévoilés au Belfor Training Center du complexe Little Caesars Arena, domicile des Detroit Red Wings.

« Cette nouvelle émission conjointe est la sixième que proposent Postes Canada et le United States Postal Service (USPS). Les sujets qu’ils ont choisis soulignent l’importance de ce que nos deux pays ont en commun. Le hockey en est un exemple », a déclaré Deepak Chopra, président-directeur général de Postes Canada (droit, Daniel Afzal, USPS, photographer). « Ces timbres mettent en valeur la passion que nous partageons pour le hockey, un sport bien ancré dans la tradition des deux côtés de la frontière. »

D’une génération à l’autre, le hockey fascine jeunes et moins jeunes d’Amérique du Nord et d’une grande partie du monde. Les décennies passent, l’équipement évolue et les styles changent, mais l’enthousiasme demeure.

Un des grands défenseurs des Original Six et membre du Temple de la renommée, Red Kelly, lui-même immortalisé dans l’émission de 2014 de la série quinquennale sur la LNHMD, a pris la parole à l’occasion du dévoilement des timbres.

« Rien ne se compare au hockey, a-t-il déclaré. C’est le meilleur jeu jamais inventé. En tant que joueur professionnel ayant évolué tant aux États-Unis qu’au Canada, je suis très heureux que le United States Postal Service et Postes Canada se soient unis pour produire les timbres consacrés à l’histoire du hockey et nous la faire revivre dans sa plus pure expression », a ajouté celui qui a remporté le championnat de la Coupe StanleyMD quatre fois avec les Detroit Red Wings, puis quatre autres fois avec les Toronto Maple Leafs. « C’est un plaisir d’être revenu à Détroit et de prendre part à cet événement. »

« La famille Howe applaudit Postes Canada et le United States Postal Service pour leur formidable collaboration dans la création d’une émission conjointe de timbres sur l’histoire du hockey », de dire Murray Howe, le plus jeune fils de Gordie Howe. « C’est là un beau symbole de ce qui unit nos deux pays, et un bel hommage à ceux et celles qui font partie intégrante de ce sport si rassembleur : joueurs, équipes, arbitres, commissaires, diffuseurs, reporters, commanditaires et amateurs. Le hockey a transformé nos vies. C’est tout un honneur d’avoir été invité à prendre part à cette impressionnante cérémonie. »

Les figurines canadiennes sont offertes en carnet de 10 et celles des États-Unis, en feuille de 20. Au Canada, les consommateurs peuvent se procurer un bloc-feuillet orné de la paire de timbres PermanentsMC, ainsi qu’un pli Premier Jour officiel garni des deux versions gommées de la paire. Un pli Premier Jour officiel conjoint est également offert, composé des deux vignettes tête-bêche canadiennes et des deux motifs U.S. Forever. À propos des timbres sur le hockey
Offerts en carnet de 10 vignettes auto-collantes au coût de 8,50 $, les deux timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur mesurent 26 mm sur 40 mm, comportent une dentelure simulée et sont imprimés en quadrichromie et au moyen de deux encres spéciales. Cette émission a été conçue par Roy White de Subplot Design Inc. à Vancouver, à partir de photos prises par KC Armstrong et retouchées par Brad Pickard. Elle a été imprimée par Lowe-Martin. Elle comprend aussi un bloc-feuillet des versions gommées des deux timbres tête-bêche. Ce bloc-feuillet orne également un pli Premier Jour officiel portant la mention « WINDSOR ON ». Un pli Premier Jour officiel conjoint est orné des deux figurines PermanentesMC tête-bêche canadiennes et des deux motifs américains United States’ Forever. Le PPJO conjoint porte un cachet de Windsor (Ontario) et de Détroit (Michigan).

[U.S. Postal Service press release]
U.S. Postal Service and Canada Post
Jointly Dedicate The History of Hockey Stamps
Share the news: #HockeyStamps

DETROIT — Today, the U.S. Postal Service and Canada Post jointly issued The History of Hockey stamps that now are available nationwide. Hockey fans are asked to share the news using the hashtag #HockeyStamps.

The first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony took place at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena Belfor Training Center. (Left to right above, master of ceremonies Paul Gross; Deepak Chopra, Canada Post President and CEO; Megan Brennan, USPS Postmaster General and CEO; Leonard “Red” Kelly, member of the Hockey Hall of Fame; Dr. Murray Howe, Gordie Howe’s son. Photo by Daniel Afzal, USPS.)

Joining Postmaster General and CEO Megan J. Brennan and Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Choprain dedicating the stamps were eight-time Stanley Cup champion Red Kelly, formerly of the Detroit Red Wings; and author and sports medicine physician Murray Howe, son of NHL legend Gordie Howe. WDIV-TV meteorologist Paul Gross served as the master of ceremonies.

“Hockey is the perfect subject for Canada and the United States to honor through these stamps,” said Brennan. “These unique commemorative stamps capture the history and tradition that have defined our shared winter pastime and symbolize the people, places and events that connect us.”

“The joint stamp issue is the sixth by Canada Post and the United States Postal Service,” said Chopra. “The subjects chosen for the joint issues highlight how much our nations have in common. Hockey is one of those things. These stamps celebrate the shared love of hockey, a game now firmly rooted in the lore of both nations.”

The souvenir sheet (above) features a scene that illustrates the evolution of the sport across generations. The selvage — the area outside of the stamps on the souvenir sheet — depicts a father teaching his daughter how to play hockey on a pond.

“There is nothing like the game of hockey. It’s the greatest game in the world,” said hockey legend Kelly. “Having played professional hockey in both the United States and Canada, it is wonderful for me to see the United States Postal Service and Canada Post unite to produce the History of Hockey stamps, depicting hockey at its purest roots. I am pleased to be back in Detroit and part of this momentous occasion.”

“The Howe family applauds Canada Post and the U.S. Postal Service for their tremendous collaborative efforts and vision to create the History of Hockey stamps,” said Howe, son of Gordie, one of the greatest hockey icons of all-time. The stamps will serve as a beautiful symbol of the bond between our two nations, and as a tribute to the players, teams, officials, concessioners, broadcasters, reporters, sponsors, and fans who all play an integral role in this sport we love so much. We owe much to the game of hockey, and feel blessed to be a part of this momentous occasion.” (Above left, Kelly and Howe. Photo by Daniel Afzal,USPS)

The U.S. Postal Service is offering two stamp products with this issuance: a souvenir sheet and a pane of 20 stamps. (The pane is shown on the left.)The souvenir sheet, available only at usps.com/shop, contains two commemorative Forever stamps. The scene on the first stamp, which portrays a modern hockey player, is one of the issuance’s two se-tenant Forever stamps. Se-tenant stamps are pairs that differ in design and are attached in strips.

The second stamp pictures a vintage player representing the game’s past set against a snowy background. One player is wearing a contemporary uniform and using modern equipment, and the other is wearing vintage garb and using old-fashioned equipment. The two vertically stacked stamps in the souvenir sheet, which are arranged to mirror each other, are identical to those sold also as a pane of 20. “The History of Hockey” appears in the bottom left corner of the sheet under the flags of the United States and Canada.

As Forever stamps, The History of Hockey stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

Designed by Subplot Design Inc. for Canada Post, the artwork on the stamps is intended to celebrate and reflect on the history of hockey. KC Armstrong of Toronto, ON, shot the photographs. Susan Gilson was the art director of the Canadian version of the stamps. William J. Gicker was the art director of the American version of the stamps.

Updated October 11th: No design for the U.S. souvenir sheet, but some specifications from the Postal Bulletin.

On October 20, 2017, in Detroit, MI, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue The History of Hockey stamps (Forever® priced at 49 cents) in two designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 475500) and a souvenir sheet of two stamps (Item 564600). This is a joint issue with Canada Post, who will issue their stamps on the same day.

The stamps will go on sale nationwide October 20, 2017.

With the issuance of these two se-tenant stamps, the U.S. Postal Service and Canada Post join in celebrating ice hockey, the fast-paced sport played on frozen ponds and in rinks across North America. One of the issue’s two stamps portrays a modern hockey player skating on a pond in present day. The second stamp pictures a vintage player, who represents the game’s past, set against a snowy background. The pane of 20 stamps includes 10 of each design. The two vertically stacked stamps are arranged to mirror each other. “The History of Hockey” appears in the center of the pane flanked by the flags of the United States and Canada.

The History of Hockey souvenir sheet features a scene that illustrates the evolution of the sport across generations. The selvage area depicts a father teaching his daughter the skills of the game. The scene also includes one of the issue’s two se-tenant stamps, which portrays a modern hockey player. The second stamp pictures a vintage player, who represents the game’s past, set against a snowy background. The two vertically stacked stamps are arranged to mirror each other. “The History of Hockey” appears in the bottom left corner of the sheet under the flags of the United States and Canada. The stamps are identical to those sold as a pane of 20 stamps.

Designed by Subplot Design, Inc., for Canada Post, the artwork on the stamps and souvenir sheet is intended to celebrate and reflect on the history of hockey. K.C. Armstrong was the photographer. Susan Gilson was the art director of the Canadian version of the stamps. William J. Gicker was the art director of the American version of the stamps; Greg Breeding designed the typography.

Available to Post Offices: Item 475500, $9.80 The History of Hockey (Forever priced at 49 cents) Commemorative PSA Pane of 20 Stamps. Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™.

Not Available to Post Offices: Item 564600, $0.98 The History of Hockey (Forever priced at 49 cents) Commemorative Souvenir Sheet of 2 Stamps. Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices. These stamps will only be available for ordering through The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop or by phone on our toll-free number at 800-782-6724.

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 (for the PSA pane of 20 stamps), at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop, or by phone at 800-782-6724. 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 – The History of Hockey
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 December 20, 2017.

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

• 475506 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $58.80.
• 475510 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $13.95.
• 475516 First-Day Cover (set of 2), $1.86.
• 475521 Digital Color Postmark (set of 2), $3.28.
• 475524 Framed Art, $39.95.
• 475530 Ceremony Program, $6.95.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: The History of Hockey Stamps
Item Number: 475500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail® Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (2 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: October 20, 2017, Detroit, MI 48233
Art Director: William J. Gicker, Washington, DC
Art Director: Susan Gilson
Designer: Subplot Design, Inc.
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Photographer: K.C. Armstrong
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 15,000,000 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: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): .84 x 1.42 in/21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): .98 x 1.56 in/24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.00 x 7.50 in/152.40 x 190.50 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 12.00 x 22.50 in/304.80 x 571.50 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by four (4) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: The History of Hockey
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • two barcodes (475500) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

Souvenir Sheet Technical Specifications:

Issue: The History of Hockey Stamps
Item Number: 564600
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail® Forever
Format: Souvenir Sheet of 2 (2 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: October 20, 2017, Detroit, MI 48233
Art Director: William J. Gicker, Washington, DC
Art Director: Susan Gilson
Designer: Subplot Design, Inc.
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Photographer: K.C. Armstrong
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 2
Print Quantity: 500,000 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: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): .84 x 1.42 in/21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): .98 x 1.56 in/24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.12 x 3.54 in/130.05 x 89.92 mm
Plate Size: 60 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: N/A
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: The History of Hockey
Back: ©2017 USPS • USPS Logo • one barcode (564600) • Promotional Text

Updated October 5th:

A joint issue is “two countries celebrating their relationship and the unity that bonds them together,” Mary-Anne Penner, Director of Stamp Services for the U.S. Postal Service, told The Virtual Stamp Club. “Hockey is very well-known sport in both places and we both embrace the sport enthusiastically, and it’s a fun subject.”

[from the USPS; Canada’s press release and design are below:]
U.S. Postal Service and Canada Post Preview The History of Hockey Joint-Issuance Stamps

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Postal Service and Canada Post previewed The History of Hockey stamps that will be dedicated Oct. 20 and available nationwide that day.

Postmaster General and CEO Megan Brennan will be joined by Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra for the 11 a.m. ET ceremony at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena Belfor Training Center. The event is free and open to the public. Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS. Please share the news using the hashtag #HockeyStamps.

“The Postal Service is honored to partner with Canada Post to produce The History of Hockey stamps,” said Brennan. “This sport exemplifies a wonderful tradition of competition and camaraderie between our nations, and these commemorative stamps are a special way to celebrate the game that transcends borders.”

The souvenir sheet, which will be revealed during the Oct. 20 dedication ceremony, features a scene that illustrates the evolution of the sport across generations. The selvage — or area outside of the stamps on the souvenir sheet — depicts a father teaching his daughter how to play hockey on a pond.

The second stamp pictures a vintage player representing the game’s past set against a snowy background. One player is wearing a contemporary uniform and using modern equipment, and the other is wearing vintage garb and using old-fashioned equipment. The two vertically stacked stamps in the souvenir sheet, which are arranged to mirror each other, are identical to those sold also as a pane of 20. “The History of Hockey” appears in the bottom left corner of the sheet under the flags of the United States and Canada.

As Forever stamps, The History of Hockey stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

Designed by Subplot Design Inc., for Canada Post, the artwork on the stamp and stamps is intended to celebrate and reflect on the history of hockey. KC Armstrong of Toronto, ON, shot the photographs. Susan Gilson was the art director of the Canadian version of the stamps. William J. Gicker was the art director of the American version of the stamps

In the 1800s, the sport truly began to take shape in Eastern Canada. By the late 19th century, the game had grown popular in the United States. American Malcolm Greene Chace became interested in the game and assembled a group of players from various universities. In 1896, a team from Yale, which included Chace, faced Johns Hopkins University in the first college hockey game. Soon, professional leagues formed in North America. And today, women’s hockey is thriving. The National Hockey Association began play in 1910 and evolved into the National Hockey League in 1917. In 1924 the Boston Bruins became the first American team to join the National Hockey League.

[from Canada Post:]
History of Hockey stamps celebrate game with deep roots in Canada and the U.S.
Canada Post, United States Postal Service release sixth joint issue

OTTAWA – Today, Canada Post and the United States Postal Service (USPS) previewed a joint stamp issue celebrating the countries’ shared love of hockey, a game firmly rooted in the lore of both nations.

The History of Hockey stamps will be released at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena October 20, 2017 and available nationwide that day.

This is the sixth joint issue for Canada Post and the USPS dating back to 1959, and the first in more than a decade. It’s also their first celebrating a sport.

“The subjects chosen for joint issues highlight how much our nations have in common, and the love of hockey is one of those things,” says Canada Post’s President and CEO Deepak Chopra. “Hockey has captured the imagination of millions in both countries. It stirs a passion that for many borders on obsession, and these stamps celebrate the pure love of the game.”

Almost 1.2 million people in Canada and the United States are registered in minor and adult hockey leagues, and millions more play recreationally on outdoor rinks and ponds. Both countries have men’s and women’s national teams that have medalled at the Olympics and World Championships, and there are more than 100 professional or semi-professional teams in North America, including in the premier National Hockey League, which has expanded successfully into the American sunbelt.

The stamp format is tête-bêche – a joined pair of similar images in which one is upside down – and the design is strong on nostalgia. On an open pond, a player in modern equipment reflects, literally, on the past. Mirrored in the ice beneath him is a player in vintage gear. The imaginative imagery gives a visual sense of looking back through time. The paired images also depict the game’s evolution and its continuing presence in the lives of players and fans alike.

The selvage – or area outside the stamps on the souvenir sheet – depicts a father teaching his daughter how to play on a pond. “History of Hockey” appears on the bottom left corner of the sheet, with the flags of Canada and the United States in the top right-hand corner.

The first joint issue released by the two postal administrations marked the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Since then, they have jointly commemorated the United States Bicentennial (1976), the 50th anniversary of the Peace Bridge (1977), the St Lawrence Seaway’s 25thanniversary (1984) and the 400th anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s exploration of the east coast of North America (2006).

About the History of Hockey stamps
Available in a self-adhesive booklet of 10 for $8.50, the two domestic rate PermanentTM stamps measure 26 mm x 40 mm with simulated perforations and are printed in four-colour process plus two special inks. Designed by Roy White of Subplot Design Inc. of Vancouver, the issue features photography by KC Armstrong, with retouching by Brad Pickard, and was printed by Lowe-Martin. The issue also includes a gummed souvenir sheet, featuring a gummed tête-bêche pair. This souvenir sheet also appears on an Official First Day Cover cancelled in Windsor, Ontario. The joint Official First Day Covers feature two tête-bêche pairs, one pair at the Canadian domestic Permanent rate and one at the United States’ Forever domestic rate. The joint cover also features two cancels, one from Detroit, Michigan, and one from Windsor, Ontario.

[en Francaise:]
Les timbres L’histoire du hockey célèbrent ce sport bien ancré au Canada et aux États-Unis
Postes Canada et l’United States Postal Service présentent leur sixième émission conjointe

OTTAWA – Aujourd’hui, Postes Canada et l’United States Postal Service (USPS) ont donné un aperçu de l’émission de timbre conjointe qui célèbre la passion que les deux pays voisins vouent au hockey.

Les timbres L’histoire du hockey seront dévoilés le 20 octobre 2017 au Little Caesars Arena à Detroit et seront mis en vente à l’échelle nationale le même jour.

Il s’agit de la sixième émission conjointe de Postes Canada avec l’USPS depuis 1959, et la première en plus de dix ans. C’est également la première émission conjointe célébrant un sport.

« Nos émissions conjointes visent à souligner les points que nos pays ont en commun, et la passion du hockey en fait certainement partie, affirme le président-directeur général de Postes Canada, Deepak Chopra. Le hockey a su captiver l’esprit de millions de personnes au Canada comme aux États-Unis. Il suscite un enthousiasme sans borne chez de nombreux partisans du sport, et ces timbres veulent célébrer notre passion commune du hockey. »

Près de 1,2 million de personnes au Canada et aux États-Unis sont inscrites dans des ligues mineures ou pour adultes, et des millions d’autres pratiquent le sport de façon récréative, sur des patinoires extérieures ou sur des étangs. Les deux pays ont des équipes nationales féminines et masculines qui ont remporté des médailles lors des Jeux olympiques et des Championnats du monde. On dénombre plus de 100 équipes professionnelles ou semi-professionnelles en Amérique du Nord, y compris dans la célèbre Ligue nationale de hockey, qui a réussi son expansion jusque dans le sud des États-Unis.

Les timbres sont présentés en format tête-bêche : une paire d’images semblables attenantes et dans le sens inverse l’une de l’autre. La conception des vignettes, elle, est empreinte de nostalgie. Sur un étang gelé, un joueur de hockey moderne se reflète sur la glace, qui lui renvoie l’image d’un joueur en habits d’autrefois. Cette représentation imaginaire, tout en exprimant l’idée de rétrospection, suggère l’évolution du sport et sa présence continue dans la vie des joueurs et des partisans.

La marge, ou zone à l’extérieur des timbres sur le bloc-feuillet, montre un père enseignant à sa fille comment jouer au hockey sur la glace d’un étang. Le titre « L’histoire du hockey » figure dans le coin inférieur gauche du feuillet et les drapeaux du Canada et des États-Unis, dans le coin supérieur droit.

La première émission conjointe créée par les deux administrations postales a souligné l’ouverture de la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent. Depuis, Postes Canada et l’USPS ont lancé des émissions conjointes pour commémorer le Bicentenaire des États-Unis (1976), le 50e anniversaire du pont de la Paix (1977), le 25e anniversaire de la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent (1984) et le 400e anniversaire de l’exploration de la côte est de l’Amérique du Nord par Samuel de Champlain (2006).

À propos des timbres L’histoire du hockey
Offerts en carnets de 10 timbres autocollants au prix de 8,50 $, les deux timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur mesurent 26 mm sur 40 mm et sont dotés d’une dentelure simulée, et sont imprimés au moyen d’un procédé lithographique en quatre couleurs et avec deux encres spéciales. Conçue par Roy White de Subplot Design Inc. à Vancouver, cette émission a été imprimée par Lowe-Martin. Elle illustre une photographie de KC Armstrong, retouchée par Brad Pickard. L’émission comprend aussi un bloc-feuillet gommé mettant en vedette la paire de timbres attenants et inversés gommés. Ce bloc-feuillet figure également sur le pli Premier Jour officiel oblitéré à Windsor, en Ontario. Les plis Premier Jour officiels conjoints mettent en vedette deux paires de timbres attenants et inversés : un libellé au tarif Permanent du régime intérieur canadien et l’autre libellé au tarif « Forever » du régime intérieur américain. Le PPJO conjoint est également orné de deux cachets d’oblitération : un de Detroit, au Michigan, et l’autre de Windsor, en Ontario.

Announced September 28th:
[USPS press release] (see below for more information)
U.S. Postal Service and Canada Post
to Celebrate the History of Hockey on Stamps
Share the news: #HockeyStamps

WASHINGTON — Attention sports fans — the U.S. Postal Service and Canada Post have jointly created stamps to celebrate the history of ice hockey, the fast-paced sport played on frozen ponds and in rinks across North America and around the world.

Postmaster General and CEO Megan Brennan will be joined by Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra for an 11 a.m. ceremony at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MI, on Oct. 20 to dedicate The History of Hockey stamps. The event is free and open to the public. Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

The stamp images will be previewed at a later date.

In the 1800s, the sport truly began to take shape in Eastern Canada. By the late 19th century, the game had grown popular in the United States. American Malcolm Greene Chace became interested in the game and assembled a group of players from various universities. In 1896, a team from Yale, which included Chace, faced Johns Hopkins University in the first college hockey game. Soon, professional leagues formed in North America. And today, women’s hockey is thriving. The National Hockey Association began play in 1910 and evolved into the National Hockey League in 1917. In 1924 the Boston Bruins became the first American team to join the National Hockey League.

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The National Hockey League was established in November 1917 with four Canadian teams. Its first U.S. team was the Boston Bruins in 1924. Teams in both countries came and went until there were just six teams for the 1942-43 season: The Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston. These “Original Six” were the only NHL teams for 25 years.

These stamps are different than the six stamps issued by Canada on September 27th, described here. This will be a joint issue.

This issue was not previously announced for either country’s 2017 stamp program.