The 2012 Stamp Yearbook and The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps — 39th Edition will soon be available for sale as follows:
n In retail at designated Post Office™ locations.
n By mail via the USA Philatelic Catalog.
n By telephone at 800-782-6724 (800 STAMP-24).
n Online via The Postal Store® website at www.usps.com/shop.
With the stamps of 2012, the U.S. Postal Service® celebrates the rich patchwork of American life — from poets and choreographers to national pastimes and cultural celebrations. Full of intriguing stories and stunning imagery, the 2012 Stamp Yearbook is the perfect way to enjoy the year’s program.
The 76-page hardcover stamp yearbook includes the following:
n Ninety-four stamps from the 2012 collectible program plus mounts.
n Fascinating information about each stamp subject.
n Placeholders to preserve the complete stamp program, including a new section for high value stamps.
n Access to digital extras showcasing multimedia content.
The 2012 Stamp Yearbook sells for $64.95 (Item #991200). For the first time, customers can purchase the stamp yearbook without stamps. This version of the book (Item #991272) sells for $24.95. Two optional stamp packets can be ordered online from The Postal Store® at www.usps.com, via the USA Philatelic Catalog, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They are the Mail-Use Stamp Packet (Item #991204), which contains 55 stamps plus mounts and sells for $31.95, and the High Value Stamp Packet (Item #991206), which contains seven stamps and mounts and sells for $45.95. See the current USA Philatelic Catalog for stamp yearbook/stamp packet bundled offerings.
In an easy-to-use oversize format, The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps — 39th Edition (Item #891200), which sells for $21.95, is just the delivery you’ve been waiting for! The only fully illustrated, four-color guide to U.S. stamps, this official publication provides the most comprehensive information available about the U.S. stamp program. Beginning with the first stamps issued in 1847, The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps covers more than 4,000 stamps issued up to the present, and also includes the following:
n An updated Stamp Series section that lists the stamps issued in each official series, such as American Treasures, Black Heritage, and Scenic American Landscapes.
n Every category of U.S. stamps — definitive, commemorative, airmail, and duck stamps, stamped envelopes, and more — are all organized into easy-to-use, color-coded sections for quick access.
n Detailed listings for each stamp, with color illustrations, Scott catalog numbers, dates of issue, used and unused prices, quantities (when known), and separate listings for design variations.
n The complete 2012 stamp program with first-day-of-issue details.
n Advice on how to start your own stamp collection.
n A resource section, a glossary of important terms, and much more.
n Visit www.stampproducts.com/2012yearbook for more exciting details about the 2012 Stamp Yearbook and The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps — 39th Edition.
Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI) will ship supplies of the 2012 Stamp Yearbook and The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps — 39th Edition to designated Post Office locations that sold the 2011 Stamp Yearbook and The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps — 38th Edition this past year. Some offices will also receive a supply of the new stamp yearbooks packaged without stamps. All books are to be sold upon receipt in mid October. Quantities sent to each unit are based upon past sales and will include nonaccountable sample books for display purposes. Note that stamp yearbooks packaged without stamps will not be automatically replenished after the initial supply has been sold.
POS ONE offices must reflect stamp yearbooks and stamp guides (not including display samples) along with all philatelic products in retail floor stock to ensure inventory detection and accurate replenishment. Failure to do so will trigger additional shipments of unwanted products causing unnecessary accountability inflation.
Upon receipt, offices should display the sample versions of the new stamp yearbook and stamp guide on the Featured Items section of slatwall with the other philatelic products that were shipped in late September. Hang tags will be provided in the shipment to position next to the display books for customers to redeem at the retail counter when purchasing the actual yearbooks and guides. Even though the 2011 Stamp Yearbook is to be removed from display, it may still be sold until it is officially withdrawn from sale.
Offices not receiving automatic shipments of the 2012 Stamp Yearbook with stamps (Item #991200), the 2012 Stamp Yearbook without stamps (Item #991272), and The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps — 39th Edition (Item #891200), can order the books from their assigned Stamp Distribution Center (SDC) or Stamp Distribution Office (SDO) via the Stamp Services System online ordering system. Use PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return and provide the appropriate item number(s) when placing orders. Sales of the stamp yearbook and stamp guide must be reported in AIC 092, Philatelic Product Sales.
As The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps — 39th Edition becomes available, Post Offices must withhold all remaining copies of the 38th edition (Item #891100) from sale. Actions should be taken as described below:
n Retail Outlets. Collect remaining copies of the 38th edition of the guide from stamp credits and immediately return them to main stock using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return.
n Post Offices. Consolidate all remaining copies of the 38th edition of the guide, if any, into the unit reserve stock. Prepare all 38th editions of the guide in accordance with procedures established for disposing of obsolete and redeemed stock, and submit according to local district quarterly stamp destruction or return schedules.
n Local Office Philatelic Programs. Submit PS Form 17 to the local SDO or SDC for the number of 38th editions of the guide (Item #891100) needed for philatelic/promotional programs. One or more copies may be donated to local schools, libraries, student groups, stamp clubs, and retirement homes.
n Stamp Distribution Offices/Centers. Stamp all copies of the guide used in promoting philatelic programs “NOT FOR RESALE.” The SDO/SDC custodian of accountable paper must verify that each item is stamped and prepare a PS Form 17, endorsed “PHILATELIC PRODUCTS GIVEN TO PHILATELIC PROGRAMS.” Program coordinators must acknowledge receipt of Item #891100 and be responsible for its control.
Note: The instructions for providing obsolete editions of the guide for philatelic and promotional purposes are an exception to general guidelines for destruction of accountable items, especially regarding obsolete (withdrawn from sale) items. In this instance, it is Postal Service™ policy not to destroy copies of the previous year’s edition of the guide when they can be used for valid promotional and/or educational purposes.
Dispose of all remaining copies of The Postal Service Guide to U.S. Stamps — 38th Edition (Item #891100) in accordance with Handbook F-1, 45, Destroying Stamp Stock. Because disposition instructions are issued annually for past issues of the guide, your office should have only the new 39th edition in inventory after completing the above procedures. If previous editions are on hand, dispose of them immediately, in accordance with Handbook F-1, 4-11.6.
— Stamp Services, Marketing and Sales, 10-4-12
