© 2010 USPS
On August 12, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio, at the American Philatelic Stamp Show, the Postal Service™ will issue an Eid definitive stamp (Forever® priced at 44 cents) in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 576700).
The U.S. Postal Service® commemorates the two most important festivals — or eids — in the Islamic calendar: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. On these days, Muslims wish each other Eid Mubarak, the phrase shown in calligraphy on the stamp. Eid Mubarak translates literally as “blessed festival” and can be paraphrased “May your religious holiday be blessed.” This Eid stamp features gold calligraphy against a reddish background. Artist and calligrapher Mohamed Zakariya worked closely with art director Phil Jordan to create this new design.
The stamp will go on sale nationwide August 12, 2011.
Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) and stamp distribution centers (SDCs) will receive approximately 25 percent of their standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA sheet stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size of 40,000 stamps.
SDOs/SDCs will make subsequent automatic distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 45 days of sales. Distribution quantities for the automatic distribution will be posted, by finance number and unit ID, on the Asset Management SDC webpage at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/assetmgnt/am_sdchome.htm. SDOs/SDCs must not distribute this commemorative sheet to Post Offices before July 29, 2011.
Post Offices requiring additional quantities of Item 576700 must requisition them from their designated SDO/SDC after the first day of issue using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs requiring additional commemorative sheets must order them from the appropriate SDC using PS Form 17.
All Post Offices must acquire and maintain a supply of each new commemorative stamp for a minimum of 90 days from the first day of issue, and beyond that as long as customer demand exists, until inventory is depleted, or until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale. If supplies run low, Post Offices must reorder additional quantities using their normal ordering procedures.
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ facility, at The Postal Store® website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. 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:
Eid Stamp
Postmaster
850 Twin Rivers Drive
Columbus, OH 43216-9998
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. All orders must be postmarked by October 12, 2011.
Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic Catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:
Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
There are three philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
n 576761*, First Day Cover, $0.88.
n 576765*, Digital Color Postmark, $1.60.
n 576799*, Cancellation Keepsake (Digital Color Postmark w/Pane), $10.95.
Items with an asterisk (*) will use the 128 barcode from Stamp Fulfillment Services. All other philatelic products will continue to use barcode series A, with the exception of the Yearbook and the Guide Book.
Issue:
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Eid
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Item Number:
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576700
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Denomination & Type of Issue:
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First-Class Mail Forever
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Format:
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Pane of 20 (1 design)
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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August 12, 2011, Columbus, OH 43216 (APS Stamp Show) No Ceremony)
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Designer:
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Mohamed Zakariya, Arlington, VA
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Art Director:
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Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
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Typographer:
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Mohamed Zakariya, Arlington, VA
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Calligrapher:
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Mohamed Zakariya, Arlington, VA
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Engraver:
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WRE
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Modeler:
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Avery Dennison, SPD
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Manufacturing Process:
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Gravure
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Printer:
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Avery Dennison (AVR)
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Printed at:
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AVR, Clinton, SC
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Press Type:
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Dia Nippon Kiko (DNK)
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Stamps per Pane:
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20
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Print Quantity:
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20 million stamps
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Paper Type:
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Nonphosphored, Type III, Block
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Adhesive Type:
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Pressure-sensitive
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Processed at:
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AVR, Clinton, SC
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Colors:
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Gray, Red, Gold
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Stamp Orientation:
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Vertical
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Image Area (w x h):
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0.77 x 1.05 in./19.56 x 26.67 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
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0.91 x 1.19 in./23.11 x 30.23 mm
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Full Pane Size (w x h):
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5.50 x 5.75 in./139.7 x 146.05 mm
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Plate Size:
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240 stamps per revolution
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Plate Numbers:
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“V” followed by three (3) single digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Front:
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Plate numbers in four corners of pane
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Back:
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© 2010 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (576700) in upper right and lower left corners of pane
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— Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 7-14-11
