© 2011 USPS
On March 24, 2012, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service™ will issue a Cherry Blossom Centennial (Forever® priced at 45 cents) commemorative se-tenant pair stamp, in two designs in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 468200).
In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service® commemorates the centennial of the gift of more than 3,000 cherry blossom trees from the city of Tokyo to the city of Washington, DC. Two se-tenant stamps picture cherry trees in full bloom around the Tidal Basin. In the stamp on the left, trees arch over two girls dressed in bright kimonos and a family on a stroll with the Washington Monument in the background. On the second stamp, the Jefferson Memorial forms the backdrop for tourists taking in the sights under a canopy of pink blooms. Working with art director Phil Jordan, artist Paul Rogers created the stamp art.
The stamp will go on sale nationwide March 24, 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 a 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 March 9, 2012.
Post Offices requiring additional quantities of Item 468200 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All Post Offices should maintain a sufficient inventory level of this item until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale.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™, 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:
Cherry Blossom Centennial 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 May 24, 2012.
The Postal Service 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, online at www.usps.com/shop or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:
U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
There are five philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
n 468263*, First Day Cover Set of 2, $1.78.
n 468268*, Digital Color Postmark Set of 2, $3.20.
n 468291*, Ceremony Program (random single), $6.95.
n 468294, Notecards, $13.95.
n 468299*, Cancellation Keepsake (DCP Set of 2 w/Pane), $12.95.
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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Cherry Blossom Centennial
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Item Number:
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468200
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Denomination & Type of Issue:
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First-Class Mail® Forever Commemorative
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Format:
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Pane of 20 (2 designs)
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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March 24, 2012, Washington, DC 20066
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Designer:
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Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
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Art Director:
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Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
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Typographer:
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Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
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Artist:
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Paul Rogers, Pasadena, CA
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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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Mueller, A76
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Stamps per Pane:
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20
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Print Quantity:
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100 million stamps
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Paper Type:
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Nonphosphored Type III
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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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Horizontal
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Image Area (w x h):
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1.42 x 0.84 in./36.07 x 21.34 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
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1.56 x 0.98 in./39.62 x 24.89 mm
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Full Pane Size (w x h):
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7.24 x 6.42 in./183.90 x 163.07 mm
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Colors:
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Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 293 (C Blue)
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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 five (5) single digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Front:
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Header: “CHERRY BLOSSOM CENTENNIAL” • Plate numbers in four corners of pane
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Back:
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Header: “CHERRY BLOSSOM CENTENNIAL” • Verso text • © 2011 USPS • Plate position diagram • USPS logo • Barcode (468200) in lower left and upper right corners of pane • Promotional text at bottom of pane
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— Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 2-23-12
