© 2011 USPS
On June 7, 2012, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Postal Service™ will issue a Bicycling commemorative stamp (Forever® priced at 45 cents) in four designs in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 469300).
The stamp will go on sale nationwide June 7, 2012.
With this issuance of these stamps, the U.S. Postal Service® celebrates bicycling, one of the most popular outdoor activities in the country. Each of the four colorful stamps features a different kind of bike and rider: a young child just learning to ride with training wheels, a commuter pedaling to work, a road racer intent on the finish line and an airborne BMX rider. Illustrator John Mattos worked with art director Phil Jordan to create the stamp art.
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 May 25, 2012.
Post Offices requiring additional quantities of Item 469300 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All Post Offices should maintain a sufficient inventory level of this item until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale.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:
Bicycling Stamp
Main Post Office
100 S. First Street, Room 127
Minneapolis, MN 55401-9998
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 7, 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 eight philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
n 469363*, First Day Cover Set of 4, $3.56.
n 469368*, Digital Color Postmark Set of 4, $6.40.
n 469384, Uncut Press Sheet, $54.00.
n 469391*, Ceremony Program (random single), $6.95.
n 469392*, Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
n 469394*, Stamp Deck Card w/DCP (random single), $1.95.
n 469397*, Panel, $9.95.
n 469399*, Cancellation Keepsake (DCP Set 4 w/Pane), $15.95.
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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Bicycling
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Item Number:
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469300
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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 (4 designs)
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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June 7, 2012, Minneapolis, MN 55401
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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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John Mattos, San Francisco, 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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40 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 5.95 in./183.90 x 151.13 mm
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Colors:
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Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 8923 (C Copper)
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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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Plate numbers in four positions of pane
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Back:
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© 2011 USPS • Plate position diagram • USPS logo • Barcode (469300) in lower left and upper right corners of pane • Verso text on back of each pane • Promotional text at bottom of pane
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— Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 5-3-12
