© 2011 USPS
On January 20, 2012, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service™ will issue an 85-cent definitive Birds of Prey stamp in five designs in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 115200).
The U.S. Postal Service® salutes five kings of the sky with the Birds of Prey issuance. Each stamp features one of five raptors: the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), and the northern harrier (Circus cyaneus). Illustrator Robert Giusti painted the portraits, based on photographs. Art director Howard E. Paine designed the stamps.
The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 20, 2012.
Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) and stamp distribution centers (SDCs) will receive their standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA pane stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size of 40,000 stamps.
SDOs/SDCs will not make any automatic distribution to Post Offices™. Post Offices requiring quantities of Item 115200 must requisition them from their designated SDO/SDC using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. Post Offices may preorder from SDOs/SDCs through the Stamp Services System beginning 30 days prior to the first day of issue. For Post Offices that have placed orders, initial supplies to the Post Offices will be shipped as stamps are received at the SDCs from the stamp printers.
All Post Offices should maintain a sufficient inventory level of this item until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale. If supplies run low, Post Offices must reorder additional quantities using their normal ordering procedures.
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 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:
Birds of Prey Stamp
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 March 20, 2012.
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
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
There is one philatelic product available for this stamp issue:
n 115263*, First Day Cover Set of 5, $6.45.
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.
Issue:
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Birds of Prey
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Item Number:
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115200
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Denomination & Type of Issue:
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85-cent Definitive
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Format:
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Pane of 20 (5 designs)
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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January 20, 2012, Washington, DC 20066 (No Ceremony)
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Designer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Art Director:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Typographer:
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Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA
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Artist:
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Robert Giusti, Bridgewater, CT
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Modeler:
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Joseph Sheeran
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Manufacturing Process:
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Offset/Microprint “USPS”
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Engraver:
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N/A
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Printer:
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Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
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Printed at:
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Williamsville, NY
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Press Type:
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Stevens, Vari-size Security
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Stamps per Pane:
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20
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Print Quantity:
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45 million stamps
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Paper Type:
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Prephosphored, Type I
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Adhesive Type:
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Pressure-sensitive
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Processed at:
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Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
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Stamp Orientation:
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Vertical
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Image Area (w x h):
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0.73 x 0.84 in./18.54 x 21.34 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
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0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm
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Full Pane Size (w x h):
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5.35 x 4.93 in./135.89 x 125.22 mm
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Colors:
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Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
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Plate Size:
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240 stamps per revolution
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Plate Numbers:
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“P” followed by four (4) single digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Front:
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Plate numbers in four corners of pane
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Back:
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© 2011 USPS Plate position diagram • USPS logo • Barcode (115200) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text
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— Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 1-12-12
