Philately

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 06-15

Sugar Ray Robinson Stamp

The Postal ServiceTM will issue a 39-cent commemorative stamp, Sugar Ray Robinson, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 460200), on April 6, 2006, in New York, New York. The stamp, designed by Carl T. Herrman, Carlsbad, California, goes on sale nationwide April 7, 2006.

With the issuance of this commemorative stamp, the Postal Service pays tribute to six-time world champion boxer Sugar Ray Robinson (1921-1989).

Resembling a vintage fight poster from the 1940s and 1950s, the stamp design features block lettering and a halftone image of Robinson created from a photographic portrait made during his peak fighting years.

How to Order First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post OfficeTM, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop. 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:

SUGAR RAY ROBINSON STAMP
POSTMASTER
421 EIGHTH AVE RM 2029B
NEW YORK NY 10199-9998

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 May 5, 2006.

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
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products

This stamp issue has six philatelic products:

• 460220 - Block of 4 - $1.56.

• 460230 - Block of 10 - $3.90.

• 460240 - Pane of 20 - $7.80.

• 460261 - First Day Cover - $0.77.

• 460293 - Cancellation Keepsake - $8.57.

• 460276 - Cultural Diary Page - $12.95.

These products will be available while supplies last at postal stores, online at www.usps.com, and by telephone at 800-STAMP24.

Distribution: Item 460200, 39-cent Sugar Ray Robinson, PSA Pane of 20 Stamps

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive approximately their full standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA sheet stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size (40,000 stamps).

Initial Supply to Post Offices

SDOs will make a subsequent automatic distribution to Post Offices of their full standard automatic distribution quantity using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs must not distribute stamps to Post Offices before March 31, 2006.

Philatelic Requirement

SDOs will not receive a separate quantity Item 460200 for their authorized philatelic centers. Philatelic centers must be supplied their quantities from the initial automatic distribution made to SDOs.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional stamps must requisition Item 460200 from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional stamps must order them from the appropriate accountable paper depository (APD) using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs, the Chicago APD will receive 6,000,000 additional stamps; the Memphis and New York APDs will each receive 4,800,000 additional stamps; the San Francisco APD will receive 3,400,000 additional stamps; and the Denver APD will receive 720,000 additional stamps.

Sales Policy

All Post Offices must acquire and maintain a supply of each new commemorative stamp 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.

—Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 3-2-06