STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 06-45

Oklahoma Statehood Stamp

The Postal ServiceTM will issue a 39-cent Oklahoma Statehood commemorative stamp in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 460800), on January 11, 2007, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The stamp, designed by Phil Jordan of Falls Church, Virginia, also goes on sale at Oklahoma Post OfficesTM and philatelic centers nationwide January 11, 2007.

With the issuance of this stamp, the U.S. Postal Service commemorates the centennial of Oklahoma's statehood.

The stamp design features an evocative painting by Oklahoma artist Mike Larsen. The painting shows the morning sunlight touching the waters of the Cimarron River, one of several rivers that meander through the state. Also included in the design are the words "Oh, what a beautiful mornin'..." - recalling a popular song from the musical Oklahoma! By Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

How to Order 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 Oklahoma Post Offices, authorized philatelic centers, by telephone at 800-STAMPS-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:

OKLAHOMA STATEHOOD STAMP
POSTMASTER
[INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE AT TIME OF
PUBLICATION]
OKLAHOMA CITY OK

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 March 11, 2007.

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 five philatelic products available for this stamp issue:

• Item 460820: Block of 4 - $1.56.

• Item 460830: Block of 10 - $3.90.

• Item 460840: Full Pane - $7.80.

• Item 460861: First Day Cover - $0.77.

• Item 460893: First Day Cover Keepsake - $8.57.

Distribution: Item 460800, 39-cent Oklahoma Statehood, PSA Pane of 20 Stamps

The Oklahoma Statehood commemorative stamp will only be distributed to, and sold at, the first day of issue site in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; at Post Office windows within the state of Oklahoma; at philatelic centers nationwide; and through SFS in Kansas City, Missouri. Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will not receive a standard automatic distribution of this commemorative stamp for subsequent distribution to all Post Offices.

Initial Supply to Post Offices

Only the Oklahoma City, OK SDO will make an automatic distribution to Post Offices within the state of Oklahoma for their full standard automatic distribution quantity using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. The Oklahoma City SDO must not distribute stamps to Post Offices before January 4, 2007.

Philatelic Requirement

SDOs with authorized philatelic centers will receive an automatic distribution of the 39-cent Oklahoma Statehood commemorative stamp (Item 460800) for subsequent distribution to each philatelic window using PS Form 17. SDOs must not distribute stamps to philatelic centers before January 4, 2007.

Additional Supply

Post Offices within the state of Oklahoma requiring additional stamps must requisition them from the Oklahoma City SDO using PS Form 17.

Philatelic centers nationwide, requiring additional Oklahoma Statehood stamps, must requisition them from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional stamps to meet philatelic center demand must order them from the appropriate accountable paper depository (APD) using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs for additional philatelic center stock, the Memphis and New York APDs will each receive 640,000 additional stamps; the San Francisco and Chicago APDs will each receive 320,000 additional stamps; and the Denver APD will receive 80,000 additional stamps.

Sales Policy

All Post Offices in Oklahoma and authorized philatelic centers nationwide must acquire and maintain a supply of this commemorative stamp (460800) as long as customer demand exists, until inventory is depleted, or until the commemorative sheet is officially withdrawn from sale. If supplies run low, Oklahoma Post Offices and philatelic centers nationwide must reorder additional quantities using their normal ordering procedures.

— Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 12-7-06