© 2011 USPS
On February 14, 2012, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the Postal Service™ will issue a Love Ribbons special stamp (Forever® priced at 45 cents), in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 577200).
The Love Ribbons stamp features a graphic design of pink-tinged, satin ribbons that spell out the word “Love” in a graceful, cursive script on a bright red background. Pieces of ribbon that appear to extend beyond the borders of the stamp broaden the reach of the design and its sentiment. This issuance is a continuation of the popular Love series introduced by the Postal Service in 1973. Illustrator Louise Fili designed the stamp under the direction of Derry Noyes.
The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 14, 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 make subsequent automatic distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 45 days of sales. Distribution quantities for the automatic distribution will be posted, by finance number and unit ID, on the Asset Management SDC webpage at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/assetmgnt/am_sdchome.htm. SDOs/SDCs must not distribute this commemorative sheet to Post Offices before January 31, 2012.
Post Offices requiring additional quantities of Item 577200 must requisition them from their designated SDO/SDC after the first day of issue using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return.
All Post Offices should maintain a sufficient inventory level of this item until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale.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 facility, 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:
Love Ribbons Stamp
Postmaster
201 E. Pikes Peak Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903-9998
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 April 14, 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 are four philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
n 577261*, First Day Cover, $0.89.
n 577265*, Digital Color Postmark, $1.60.
n 577291*, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
n 577299*, Cancellation Keepsake (Digital Color Postmark w/Pane), $10.95.
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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Love Ribbons
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Item Number:
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577200
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Denomination & Type of Issue:
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First-Class Mail Forever Special
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Format:
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Pane of 20 (1 design)
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Series:
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Love
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Issue Date & City:
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February 14, 2012, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
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Art Director:
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Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
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Designer:
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Louise Fili, New York, NY
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Typographer:
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Louise Fili, New York, NY
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Artist:
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Louise Fili, New York, NY
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Modeler:
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Donald Woo
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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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Banknote Corporation of America, Inc./SSP
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Printed at:
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Browns Summit, NC
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Press Type:
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Alprinta, 74
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Stamps per Pane:
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20
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Print Quantity:
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300 million stamps
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Paper Type:
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Phosphor Tagged, Overall
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Adhesive Type:
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Pressure-sensitive
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Processed at:
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Unique Binders, Fredericksburg, VA
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Stamp Orientation:
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Horizontal
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Image Area (w x h):
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1.03 x .75 in./26.16 x 19.05 mm
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Stamp Size (w x h):
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1.19 x .91 in./30.23 x 23.11 mm
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Booklet Size (w x h):
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5.76 x 5.55 in./146.30 x 140.97 mm
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Colors:
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Pantone 1797 (RED), Pantone 1797 (RED)
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Plate Size:
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200 stamps per revolution
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Plate Numbers:
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“S” followed by two (2) single digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Front:
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Plate numbers in four corners
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Back:
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© 2011 USPS • Barcode (577200) in upper right and lower left hand corners • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Promotional information
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— Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 1-12-12
