Philately

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 06-43

Official Mail Stamp

The Postal Service™ will issue a $1.00 Official Mail definitive stamp in one design in a water-activated gum (WAG) pane of 20 stamps (Item 556500), on September 29, 2006, in Washington, DC. The stamp, designed by the late Bradbury Thompson, goes on sale nationwide September 29, 2006.

How to Order First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 90 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase only by mail order from USA Philatelic catalog or by telephone at 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:
OFFICIAL MAIL STAMP
POSTMASTER
SPECIAL CANCELLATION
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 December 28, 2006.

How to Order First Day Covers

Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) 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

There are no philatelic products available for this stamp issue.

Distribution: Item 556500, $1.00 Official Mail, WAG Pane of 20 Stamps

Only the Chicago, Illinois, accountable paper depository (APD), which is the sole distribution unit designated to accept penalty mail requisitions from authorized government agencies, will receive an automatic distribution of Item 556500. Only the Chicago APD may distribute this $1.00 official mail stamp to authorized government agencies that submit PS Form 17-G, Penalty Mail Stamp Requisition. This new official mail stamp must not be distributed to government agencies before September 27, 2006.

Initial Supply to Post Offices

This official mail stamp will not be made available at regular retail windows for customer sale. Authorized government agencies requiring Item 556500 must submit PS Form 17-G to the Chicago APD for Penalty Mail stamp fulfillment.

Philatelic Requirement

This official mail stamp will not be made available to philatelic centers for customer sale. Only SFS will offer this stamp for sale to collectors via mail order from USA Philatelic catalog or by telephone at 800-STAMP-24.

— Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 9-14-06

Pictorial Postmarks Announcement

As a community service, the Postal Service™ offers pictorial postmarks to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. A list of events for which pictorial postmarks are authorized appears below. If available, the sponsor of the pictorial postmark appears in italics under the date. Also provided, as space permits, are illustrations of those postmarks that were reproducible and available at press time.

People attending these local events may obtain the postmark in person at the temporary Post Office™ station established there. Those who cannot attend the event, but who wish to obtain the postmark, may submit a mail order request. Pictorial postmarks are available only for the dates indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial postmark date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail postage. Items submitted for postmark may not include postage issued after the date of the requested postmark. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a postmark should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: PICTORIAL POSTMARKS, followed by the NAME OF THE STATION, ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP+4 CODE, exactly as listed below (using all capitals and no punctuation, except the hyphen in the ZIP+4 code).

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for postmark, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial postmark, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

The following postmark has been extended for 30 days.

July 21-23, 2006

Arapahoe County

CENTURY FAIR STATION

PHILATELIC CLERK

16890 E ALAMEDA PKWY

AURORA CO 80017-9998

The following postmark has been extended for 60 days.

June 29, 2006

U.S. Postal Service

CENTENNIAL STATION

POSTMASTER

PO BOX 9998

MESA VERDE CO 81330-9998

— Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 9-14-06

— Mailing Standards, Pricing and Classification, 9-14-06