Stamp Announcement 12-31: Four Flags

Stamp Announcement 12-31: Four Flags

On June 1, 2012, in McLean, Virginia, the Postal Ser­vice™ will issue a Four Flags First-Class Mail® stamp (For­ever® priced at 45 cents), in four designs in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) booklet of 10 stamps (Item 688300).

The stamps will go on sale June 1, 2012.

Previously issued Four Flags stamps include the follow­ing:

n PSA Booklet of 20 Stamps (Item 688100).

n PSA Coil of 100 Stamps (Item 788700).

Distribution: Item 688300, Four Flags First-Class Mail (Forever priced at 45 cents) PSA Booklet of 10 Stamps ($4.50 value)

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs)/stamp distribution centers (SDCs) will not make a subsequent automatic dis­tribution to Post Offices of this stamp issue. Post Offices requiring quantities of Item 688300 must requisition them from their designated SDO/SDC using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs requiring these stamps must order them from the appropriate SDC using PS Form 17. SDOs must not distribute this stamp to Post Offices before May 18, 2012.

Sales Policy

All Post Offices should maintain a sufficient inventory level of this item until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale.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.

How to Order the First Day of Issue Postmark

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:

Four Flags Stamp
McLean West Branch
1544 Springhill Road
McLean, VA 22102-9998

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 August 1, 2012.

How to Order First Day Covers

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

Philatelic Products

There is one philatelic product available for this stamp issue:

n 688363*, First Day Cover Set of 4, $3.56.

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:

Four Flags

Item Number:

688300

Denomination & Type of Issue:

First-Class Mail Forever

Format:

Booklet of 10 (4 designs)

Series:

N/A

Issue Date & City:

June 1, 2012, McLean, VA 22101, Stamp Exhibition (NAPEX)

Designer:

Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA

Typographer:

Howard E. Paine, Delaplane, VA

Artist:

Arnold C. Holeywell

Engraver:

WRE

Modeler:

Avery Dennison, Designed and Engineered Solutions

Manufacturing Process:

Gravure

Printer:

Avery Dennison (AVR)

Printed at:

AVR, Clinton, SC

Press Type:

Dia Nippon Kiko (DNK)

Stamps per Booklet:

10

Print Quantity:

200 million stamps

Paper Type:

Prephosphored, Type I

Adhesive Type:

Pressure-sensitive

Processed at:

AVR, Clinton, SC

Colors:

Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Black

Stamp Orientation:

Vertical

Image Area (w x h):

0.736 x 0.854 in./18.69 x 21.69 mm

Overall Size (w x h):

0.87 x 0.98 in./22.10 x 24.89 mm

Booklet Size (w x h):

1.74 x 6.50 in./44.20 x 165.10 mm

Plate Size:

500 stamps per revolution

Plate Numbers:

“V” followed by four (4) single digits

Marginal Markings:

Cover Side:

USPS logo © 2011 USPS Plate number centered below USPS logo

Back:

Header: “Justice, Equality, Freedom, Liberty” TEN FIRST-CLASS FOREVER STAMPS Promotional text Barcode UPC format (015645688308)