Stamp Services

Stamp Announcement 17-39: The History of Hockey Stamps

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 History of Hockey stamps will appear in a future edition of the Postal Bulletin. 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™. Post Offices may begin ordering stamps before the first-day-of-issue through SFS Web at sfsweb.usps.gov.

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.

How to Order First-Day Covers

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, online at usps.com/shop, or by phone at 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free issue of USA Philatelic by visiting usps.com/philatelic, calling 800-782-6724, or writing to:

U.S. Postal Service
USA Philatelic Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:

n 475506, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $58.80.

n 475510*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $13.95.

n 475516*, First-Day Cover (set of 2), $1.86.

n 475521*, Digital Color Postmark (set of 2), $3.28.

n 475524*, Framed Art, $39.95.

n 475530*, 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:

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

 

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