Stamp Announcement 12-6: Baltimore Checkerspot (Butterfly)

Stamp Announcement 12-6: Baltimore Checkerspot (Butterfly)

On January 20, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland, the Postal Service™ will issue a 65-cent definitive Baltimore Checker­spot (Butterfly) stamp in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 114800).

The U.S. Postal Service® celebrates the Baltimore checkerspot — the second butterfly featured on stamps for large greeting card envelopes that require additional post­age. This colorful butterfly is named after George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, who helped found the colony of Maryland. Since 1973, the Baltimore checkerspot has been the official insect of the state. The stamp art, created by Tom Enge­man, is a highly stylized depiction of the butterfly. Derry Noyes was the art director.

The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 20, 2012.

Distribution: Item 114800, 65-cent Baltimore Checkerspot (Butterfly) PSA Pane of 20 Stamps

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) and stamp distribu­tion centers (SDCs) will receive their standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA pane stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size of 40,000 stamps.

Initial Supply to Post Offices

SDOs/SDCs will not make any automatic distribution to Post Offices™. Post Offices requiring quantities of Item 114800 must requisition them from their designated SDO/SDC using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. Post Offices may preorder from SDOs/SDCs through the Stamp Services System beginning 30 days prior to the first day of issue. For Post Offices that have placed orders, ini­tial supplies to the Post Offices will be shipped as stamps are received at the SDCs from the stamp printers.

Sales Policy

All Post Offices should maintain a sufficient inventory level of this item until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale. If supplies run low, Post Offices must reorder addi­tional quantities using their normal ordering procedures.

How to Order the First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at 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:

Baltimore Checkerspot (Butterfly) Stamp
Postmaster
8409 Lee Highway
Merrifield, VA 22116-9998

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 March 20, 2012.

How to Order First Day Covers

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

Philatelic Products

There is one philatelic product available for this stamp issue:

n 114861*, First Day Cover, $1.09.

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:

Baltimore Checkerspot (Butterfly)

Item Number:

114800

Denomination & Type of Issue:

65-cent Definitive

Format:

Pane of 20 (one design)

Series:

N/A

Issue Date & City:

January 20, 2012, Baltimore, MD 21233 (No Ceremony)

Designer

Derry Noyes, Washington, DC

Art Director:

Derry Noyes, Washington, DC

Typographer:

Derry Noyes, Washington, DC

Artist:

Tom Engeman, Bethany Beach, DE

Engraver:

Trident

Modeler:

Avery Dennison, Designed and Engineered Solutions

Manufacturing Process:

Gravure

Printer:

Avery Dennison (AVR)

Printed at:

AVR, Clinton, SC

Press Type:

Dia Nippon Kiko (DNK)

Stamps per Pane:

20

Print Quantity:

15 million stamps

Paper Type:

Prephosphored, Type I

Adhesive Type:

Pressure-sensitive

Processed at:

AVR, Clinton, SC

Colors:

158 (Orange), 8 (Gray), Black, 179 (Orange)

Stamp Orientation:

Vertical

Image Area (w x h):

1.085 x 1.121 in./27.56 x 28.48 mm

Overall Size (w x h):

1.225 x 1.225 in./31.12 x 31.12 mm

Full Pane Size (w x h):

5.75 x 7.125 in./146.05 x 180.98.68 mm

Plate Size:

200 stamps per revolution

Plate Numbers:

“V” followed by four (4) single digits

Marginal Markings:

Front:

Header: “Baltimore Checkerspot”
FIRST-CLASS SURCHARGE RATE at bottom of pane Plate numbers in four corners of pane

Back:

© 2011 USPS USPS logo Plate position diagram Barcode (114800) in upper right and lower left corners of pane Promotional text lower left hand corner