Update: Seabiscuit Stamped Envelope

In the article “Stamp Announcement 09-24: Seabiscuit Stamped Envelope” in Postal Bulletin 222256 (4-9-09, pages 29–35), the technical details showing the Seabiscuit Stamped Envelope #10 Regular (Item No. 218500) and #10 Window (Item No. 218600), originally printed by Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU), will also be printed by National Envelope using flexography. The envelopes will be issued June 1, 2009, in Kansas City, Missouri.

Post Offices™ and customers are advised that the win­dow size and location on all new stamped envelopes, 44–cent Seabiscuit envelopes, and non-denominated Forever Stamp™ (Liberty Bell) envelopes issued May 11, 2009, have been adjusted slightly. This was done to be in compliance with new mailing guidelines that have been proposed and will be recommended for mailings in the future. The purpose is to move the window aperture away from envelope edges and specify a maximum size for the apertures, which will improve mail processing efficiency and quality.

The windows and apertures are all the same height as before, namely 1-1/8 inch. They are slightly shorter in the long dimension, reduced from the old size of 4-3/4 inches to 4-1/2 inches (No. 10 and 9 sizes) or 4-3/8 inches (No. 6–3/4 size). The windows have been moved up slightly from the bottom edge, from a distance of 5/8 inch to a new distance of 13/16 inch (moving upward 3/16 inch). And, they have been moved over 1/16 inch from the left edge to a distance of 1-1/16 inch as opposed to the old 1 inch.

Post Offices and customers are advised further that a limited number of Seabiscuit envelopes with water-activated gum (WAG) adhesive were produced using the remaining stock of envelopes to meet initial volume demands, minimize waste, and best utilize resources. These three types of envelopes are:

n Item 264900, Seabiscuit WAG size 6-3/4 with old window location.

n Item 218600, Seabiscuit WAG size 10 with old win­dow location.

n Item 218700 Seabiscuit WAG size 9 without window but with old security tint inside the envelope. The security tint image and ink were both updated for new envelopes to further enhance the security properties.

These varieties were produced in very limited volumes and shipped in support of the May 11, 2009, new pricing implementation to help meet initial demand. A limited quantity of all three varieties was supplied to Stamp Fulfill­ment Services (SFS) for philatelic requests. A set of enve­lopes will be available in mint condition with the May 11, 2009, or June 1, 2009, Kansas City, Missouri, first day cancellation as follows:

n 218563*, Seabiscuit (National Envelope)
First Day Cover Set, $1.28.
(218500 — Seabiscuit WAG Reg. #10, $0.64)

n 218598*, Seabiscuit (National Envelope)
Bundle of 2, $1.08.
(218500 — Seabiscuit WAG Reg. #10, $0.54)

n 218663*, Seabiscuit (Old), First Day Cover Set, $1.92.
(264900 — Seabiscuit WAG Window #6 3/4, $0.64)
(218700 — Seabiscuit WAG Reg. #9, $0.60)
(218600 — Seabiscuit WAG Window #10, $0.64)

n 218698*, Seabiscuit (Old) Bundle of 3, $1.62.
(264900 — Seabiscuit WAG Window #6 3/4, $0.54)
218700 — Seabiscuit WAG Reg. #9, $0.54)
(218600 — Seabiscuit WAG Window #10, $0.54)

Items with an asterisk (*) will use the 128 barcode from SFS. All other philatelic products will continue to use bar­code series A, with the exception of the Yearbook and the Guide Book.

— Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 5-21-09