On June 20, 2008, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service™ will issue a 42-cent, Official Mail definitive stamp in a #10 stamped envelope (Item 213200). The envelope, designed by Bradbury Thompson, goes on sale nationwide June 20, 2008.
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase the new Official Mail stamped envelopes by mail order from the USA Philatelic catalog, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
OFFICIAL MAIL STAMPED ENVELOPE
POSTMASTER
SPECIAL CANCELLATIONS
PO BOX 92282
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 August 21, 2008.
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
There is one philatelic product available for this stamp issue:
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.
Only the Chicago, IL, 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 213200. Only the Chicago APD may distribute the new Official Mail envelope to authorized government agencies that submit PS Form 17-G, Penalty Mail Stamp Requisition. These envelopes must not distribute to government agencies before June 20, 2008.
This official mail envelope will not be made available at regular retail windows for customer sale. Authorized government agencies must submit PS Form 17-G to the Chicago APD for penalty mail envelope fulfillment.
This official mail envelope will not be made available to philatelic centers for customer sale. Only Stamp Fulfillment Services will offer this official mail stamped envelope for sale to collectors via mail order from the USA Philatelic catalog, or by calling 800-STAMP-24.
Authorized government agencies may order Item 213200, 42-cent Official Mail stamped envelope, with a return address preprinted on the envelope. To order these envelopes, authorized government agencies complete PS Form 17-J, Penalty Mail Printed Stamp Envelope Order. PS Form 17-J can be obtained from the government agency’s mail manager. Carefully follow the instructions on PS Form 17-J and send the completed order to:
Personalized envelope program
Stamp Fulfillment Services
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219178
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-7106
— Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 6-5-08