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© 2011 USPS
On February 22, 2012, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service™ will issue a Four Flags First-Class Mail® Forever® stamp (priced at 45 cents), in four designs in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) booklet of 20 stamps (Item 688100) and a PSA coil of 100 (Item 788700).
The U.S. Postal Service® continues its tradition of honoring the Stars and Strips with the issuance of Four Flags. This quartet of stamps features a bright U.S. flag against a white background. A single word appears on each of the four stamps in large letters: Freedom, Liberty, Equality, and Justice. Art directed by Howard E. Paine, the stamps feature an illustration by the late Arnold C. Holeywell.
The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 22, 2012.
Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) and stamp distribution centers (SDCs) will receive their standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA booklet stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size of 4,000 booklets.
SDOs/SDCs will not make any automatic distribution to Post Offices. Post Offices should continue to sell existing inventories of the current patriotic booklets, and in addition, the SDOs/SDCs will also continue to ship quantities of Item 679400 (Lady Liberty & US Flag) until inventory depletes. Post Offices requiring quantities of Item 688100 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 (SSS) beginning 30 days prior to the first day of issue. SDOs/SDCs must not distribute this stamp to Post Offices before February 9, 2012.
All Post Offices should maintain a sufficient inventory level of this item until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale.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.
SDOs and SDCs will receive their standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA coil stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size of 800 coils.
SDOs/SDCs will not make any automatic distribution to Post Offices. Post Offices should continue to sell existing inventories of the current patriotic coils, and in addition, the SDOs/SDCs will also continue to ship quantities of Item 787900 (Lady Liberty & US Flag) until inventory depletes. Post Offices requiring quantities of Item 788700 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 SSS beginning 30 days prior to the first day of issue. SDOs/SDCs must not distribute this stamp to Post Offices before February 9, 2012.
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.
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:
Four Flags Stamp
Special Cancellations
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282
After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by April 22, 2012.
The Postal Service 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, online at www.usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 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 688163*, First Day Cover Set of 4, $3.56.
n 688167*, First Day of Sale Cover Set of 4, $3.56.
n 788763*, First Day Cover Set of 4, $3.56.
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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Four Flags
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Item Number:
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688100
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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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Double-sided Booklet of 20 (4 designs)
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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February 22, 2012, Washington, DC 20066 (No Ceremony)
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Designer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Typographer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Artist:
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Arnold C. Holeywell
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Modeler:
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Joseph Sheeran
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Manufacturing Process:
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Offset, Microprint, “USPS”
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Printer:
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Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
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Printed at:
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Williamsville, NY
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Print Quantity:
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1 billion stamps
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Adhesive Type:
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Pressure-sensitive
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Processed at:
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Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
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Press Type:
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Mueller Martini, A76
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Stamps per Booklet:
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20
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Paper Type:
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Nonphosphored, Type III
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Adhesive Type:
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Pressure-sensitive
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Colors:
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Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
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Stamp Orientation:
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Vertical
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Image Area (w x h):
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0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
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0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
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Booklet Size (w x h):
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5.52 x 1.96 in./140.21 x 49.78 mm
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Plate Size:
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1,040 stamps per revolution
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Plate Numbers:
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“P” followed by four (4) single digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Cover Side:
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Header: “Justice, Equality, Freedom, Liberty • TWENTY FIRST-CLASS FOREVER® STAMPS • Barcode (015645 688100) • © 2011 USPS in peel strip area • Plate block number in peel strip area
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Issue:
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Four Flags
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Item Number:
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688100
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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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Double-sided Booklet of 20 (4 designs)
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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February 22, 2012, Washington, DC 20066 (No Ceremony)
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Designer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Typographer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Artist:
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Arnold C. Holeywell
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Modeler:
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Donald Woo
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Manufacturing Process:
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Offset/Microprint “USPS”
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Engraver:
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N/A
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Printer:
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Banknote Corporation of America, Inc./SSP
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Printed at:
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Browns Summit, NC
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Press Type:
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Alprinta, 74
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Stamps per Booklet:
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20
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Print Quantity:
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1 billion stamps
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Paper Type:
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Prephosphored, Type I
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Adhesive Type:
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Pressure-sensitive
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Processed at:
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Unique Binders, Fredericksburg, VA
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Stamp Orientation:
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Vertical
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Image Area (w x h):
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0.71 x 0.82 in./18.03 x 20.83 mm
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Stamp Size (w x h):
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0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
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Booklet Size (w x h):
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5.52 x 1.96 in./140.21 x 49.78 mm
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Colors:
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Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
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Plate Size:
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576 stamps per revolution
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Plate Numbers:
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“S” followed by five (5) single digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Cover Side:
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Header: “Justice, Equality, Freedom, Liberty” • TWENTY FIRST-CLASS FOREVER® STAMPS • Barcode (015645 688100) • © 2011 in peel strip area • Plate number in peel strip area
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Issue:
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Four Flags
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Item Number:
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788700
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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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Coil of 100 (4 designs)
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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February 22, 2012, Washington, DC 20066 (No Ceremony)
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Designer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Typographer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Artist:
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Arnold C. Holeywell
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Modeler:
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Joseph Sheeran
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Manufacturing Process:
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Offset/Microprint “USPS”
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Engraver:
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N/A
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Printer:
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Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
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Printed at:
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Williamsville, NY
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Press Type:
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Mueller Martini, A76
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Stamps per Coil:
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100
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Print Quantity:
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1 billion stamps
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Paper Type:
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Nonphosphored, Type III
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Adhesive Type:
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Pressure-sensitive
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Processed at:
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Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
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Stamp Orientation:
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Vertical
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Image Area (w x h):
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0.70375 x 0.84 in./17.88 x 21.34 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
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0.84375x 0.98 in./21.43 x 24.89 mm
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Coil Size (w x h):
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84.375 x 0.98 in./2143.12 x 24.89 mm
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Colors:
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Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
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Plate Size:
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768 stamps per revolution
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Plate Numbers:
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“P” followed by four (4) single digits
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Plate Number Frequency:
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Plate block number on 1st stamp of the form below the “Freedom” image
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Coil Back Number Frequency:
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N/A
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Marginal Markings:
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N/A
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Other:
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Each coil to begin with “Freedom” image and end with “Justice” image • Coil wrap barcode (07887008)
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Issue:
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Four Flags
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Item Number:
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788700
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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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Coil of 100 (4 designs)
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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February 22, 2012, Washington, DC 20066 (No Ceremony)
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Designer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Typographer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Artist:
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Arnold C. Holeywell
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Engraver:
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WRE
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Modeler:
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Avery Dennison, Designed and Engineered Solutions
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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 Coil:
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100
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Print Quantity:
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1 billion stamps
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Paper Type:
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Prephosphored, Type I
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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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Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Black
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Stamp Orientation:
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Vertical
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Image Area (w x h):
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0.736 x 0.854 in./18.69 x 21.69 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
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0.870 x 0.982 in./22.10 x 24.94 mm
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Full Pane Size (w x h):
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N/A
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Plate Size:
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480 stamps per revolution
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Plate Numbers:
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“V” followed by four (4) single digits
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Coil Number Frequency:
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Plate block number to appear on bottom right corner below stamp image every 20th stamp • Barcode on coil banding
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Issue:
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Four Flags
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Item Number:
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788700
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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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Coil of 100 (4 designs)
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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February 22, 2012, Washington, DC 20066 (No Ceremony)
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Designer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Typographer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Artist:
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Arnold C. Holeywell
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Modeler:
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Donald Woo
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Manufacturing Process:
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Offset/Microprint “USPS”
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Engraver:
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N/A
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Printer:
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Banknote Corporation of America, Inc./SSP
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Printed at:
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Browns Summit, N.C.
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Press Type:
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Alprinta, 74
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Stamps per Coil:
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100
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Print Quantity:
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1 billion stamps
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Paper Type:
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Prehosphored, Type I
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Adhesive Type:
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Pressure-sensitive
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Processed at:
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Unique Binders, Fredericksburg, VA
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Stamp Orientation:
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Vertical
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Image Area (w x h):
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0.754 x 0.82 in./19.15 x 20.82 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
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0.875 x 0.96 in./22.19 x 24.38 mm
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Colors:
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Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Blue
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Full Pane Size (w x h):
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N/A
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Plate Size:
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800 stamps per revolution
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Plate Numbers:
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“S” followed by five (5) single digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Plate block number every 32nd stamp
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— Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 2-9-12
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