© 2016 USPS
On October 5, 2016 in New York, NY, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Diwali stamp (Forever® priced at 47 cents) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 588800).
The stamp will go on sale nationwide October 5, 2016.
In 2016, the U.S. Postal Service commemorates the joyous festival of Diwali, which is also known as Deepavali. One of the most important annual Hindu events, the holiday celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The stamp features a photograph of a traditional diya — a small flickering lamp made from a bowl filled with oil — and flower petals against a glimmering gold background. “Diwali” in white type is featured underneath the diya. During Diwali, diyas dot the homes of observers around the world. Diwali is an important festival in several religions, including Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Spanning five days each autumn, Diwali is considered by some to be the start of the new year. In 2016, Diwali will be celebrated on October 29 (for South Indians) and October 30 (for North Indians). Greg Breeding designed the stamp with a photograph by Sally Andersen-Bruce. William J. Gicker served as the project’s art director.
Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™ of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales. Distribution quantities for the automatic push distribution are available by logging on to SFS Web at https:⁄⁄sfsweb.usps.gov. Post Offices may begin ordering stamps on October 5 through SFS Web. However, offices should check the website noted above to determine the amount they will receive on their automatic push distribution.
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 http:⁄⁄www.usps.com⁄shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. 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:
Diwali Stamp
Stamp Fulfillment Services
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-9998
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 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 5, 2016.
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 http:⁄⁄www.usps.com⁄shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:
U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
There are six philatelic products for this stamp issue:
n 588806, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $75.20.
n 588810*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
n 588816*, First-Day Cover, $0.91.
n 588821*, Digital Color Postmark, $1.62.
n 588824*, Framed Art, $19.95.
n 588830*, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
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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Diwali Stamp
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Item Number:
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588800
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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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October 5, 2016, New York, NY 10199
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Art Director:
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William Gicker, Washington, DC
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Designer:
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Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
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Typographer:
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Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
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Photographer:
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Sally Anderson-Bruce, New Milford, CT
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Modeler:
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Joseph Sheeran
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Manufacturing Process:
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Offset, Microprint
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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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Muller A76
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Stamps per Pane:
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20
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Print Quantity:
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30,000,000 stamps
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Paper Type:
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Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
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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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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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0.77 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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5.55 x 5.76 in⁄140.97 x 146.30 mm
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Press Sheet Size (w x h):
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22.20 x 11.52 in⁄563.88 x 292.61 mm
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Plate Size:
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320 stamps per revolution
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Plate Numbers:
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“P” followed by four (4) digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Front:
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Plate number (4 locations)
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Back:
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USPS Logo • Two barcodes (588800) • Copyright date • Plate block • Promotional text
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— Stamp Services,
Marketing and Sales, 9-15-16
