October is National Stamp Collecting Month. And there’s no better way to get customers interested in stamp collecting than by promoting the reprint of the rarest U.S. stamp in U.S. history. On Sunday, September 22, the Postal Service™ will dedicate the $2 Inverted Jenny Souvenir Sheet at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum in Washington, DC. The dedication coincides with the grand opening of the William H. Gross stamp gallery to position the museum as housing the world’s largest stamp collection.
This Souvenir Sheet features a new version of perhaps the most famous error in the history of U.S. stamps: the Inverted Jenny, a 1918 misprint that mistakenly showed a biplane flying wrong side up. Reprinted with a $2 denomination to make them easily distinguishable from the 24-cent originals, the six Inverted Jennys on this sheet commemorate the many ways a single stamp can turn a moment in history upside down.
Working with art director Antonio Alcalá, of Alexandria, VA, Steven Noble of Petaluma, CA, created selvage artwork that depicts the National Postal Museum, aviation pioneer Reuben H. Fleet, and a map of the first regular airmail service route.
The Backstory
In 1918, in a rush to celebrate the first airmail flight, the Post Office™ department issued the 24-cent Curtiss Jenny stamp. Because the design required two colors, sheets were placed on the printing press twice — first to apply red ink and a second time to apply blue ink. This process was given to human error — as stamp collectors at the time well knew.
A Washington, DC Post Office clerk — who had never seen an airplane — sold a sheet of 100 stamps mistakenly showing the biplane upside down. For nearly a century, stamp collectors have chased the Inverted Jennys and have accounted for nearly all 100 of them. This error has resulted in the nation’s most publicized rarest collectable. One of the remaining originals sold at auction in 2007 for $977,500.
Publicity Kit Materials
Special dedication ceremonies may be conducted any time after September 22. It is suggested that most events take place during October to promote National Stamp Collecting Month. If that is not possible, dedication ceremonies may take place anytime. Note: the term “Second-Day” ceremony is no longer used as it incorrectly implies that events can only be conducted the day following the first-day-of-issue. Special Dedication ceremonies may be held any day following the stamp issuance date.
The following is included in this kit:
n Sample Media Advisory.
n Sample News Release.
n Sample Speech.
n Government Relations contacts for inviting elected officials.
n Corporate Communications contacts for assistance in promoting events and working with media.
Obtaining Stamp Images
Poster-sized blowups of the stamp can be purchased through Colours Imaging, http://coloursimaging.com, by contacting Zach Scott, zscott@coloursinc.com, or 703-379-1121. Contact Mark Saunders at mark.r.saunders@usps.gov to obtain high-resolution images of the stamp for media use only.
Sample Media Advisory
Contact: Name
Phone
Email
www.usps.com/news
‘Rare’ Inverted Jenny Stamp Takes Flight
from NAME Post Office to Launch National Stamp Collecting Month
High-resolution images of the stamp are available for media use only by emailing
Contact’s Email @usps.gov
WHAT: Special dedication ceremony for the Stamp Collecting: Inverted Jenny $2 stamp to launch October as National Stamp Collecting Month. The event is free and open to the public.
WHEN: Time, Day, Date
WHERE: Address
WHO: Dedicating officials listed by title and name in order of importance to media attending the event.
BACKGROUND: The most famous error in U.S. stamp history gets its stamp of approval when the NAME Post Office dedicates the Stamp Collecting: Inverted Jenny $2 stamp.
In 1918, in a rush to celebrate the first airmail flight, the Post Office Department issued the 24-cent Curtiss Jenny stamp. Because the design required two colors, sheets were placed on the printing press twice — first to apply red ink and a second time to apply blue ink. This process was given to human error — as stamp collectors at the time well knew.
A Washington, DC Post Office clerk — who had never seen an airplane — sold a sheet of 100 stamps mistakenly showing the biplane upside down. For nearly a century, stamp collectors have chased the Inverted Jennys and have accounted for nearly all 100 of them. The error has resulted in the nation’s most publicized collectable stamps. One of the remaining originals sold at auction in 2007 for $977,500.
Reprinted with a $2 denomination to make them easily distinguishable from the 24-cent originals, the six Inverted Jennys on this sheet commemorate the many ways a single stamp can turn a moment in history upside down. The stamp sheet coincides with the grand opening of the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum William H. Gross Stamp Gallery to position the museum as housing the world’s largest stamp collection. The museum is located in Washington, DC.
# # #
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 152 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With 31,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, http://usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 42nd in the 2012 Fortune 500. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency for seven years and the fourth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.
Follow the Postal Service on Twitter @USPS_PR and at Facebook.com/usps
Sample News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Name
DATE Email
Phone
‘Rare’ Inverted Jenny Stamp Takes Flight
from NAME Post Office to Launch National Stamp Collecting Month
A high-resolution image of the stamp is available for media use only by emailing: CONTACT’S EMAIL
CITY, STATE — The most famous error in U.S. stamp history was celebrated at the NAME Post Office with a special dedication ceremony of the Stamp Collecting: Inverted Jenny $2 stamp (Optional: to celebrate October as National Stamp Collecting Month).
“We’re here to remember a great gaffe that turned into a great gift,” said Title/Name, referring to a sheet of 1918 24-cent Curtiss Jenny stamps ($3.71 in today’s dollars) erroneously printed with the airplane flying upside down.
The error has resulted in the nation’s most publicized collectable stamps. One of the remaining originals sold at auction in 2007 for $977,500.
“Today, the Postal Service is proud to give everyone an opportunity to own an Inverted Jenny,” added Name. “We’re issuing a souvenir sheet of six Inverted Jenny stamps reprinted with a $2 denomination to easily distinguish them from the 24-cent originals.”
Name said the souvenir sheet features a map of the original airmail route, along with the image of aviation pioneer Reuben Fleet, who was in charge of the first group of airmail pilots. Also pictured is National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, where visitors can see some of the original misprinted stamps.
“Perhaps the stamps will take your breath away, the way the original stamps did when a stamp collector purchased them from an unknowing postal clerk in 1918,” added Name. “Perhaps they’ll inspire you to take up stamp collecting, or use them for mailing. Whatever the reason, let the Inverted Jenny serve as a reminder that sometimes gaffes can become gifts, even if they turn everything upside down.”
Joining Name in dedicating the stamp was Title, Name; Title, Name, etc.
(Optional Quote From Other Indiviual Particpating In Event — If Newsworthy)
(Provide Additional Details, Such As The Venue, or Other Newsworthy Information.).
Reprinted with a $2 denomination to make them easily distinguishable from the 24-cent originals, the six Inverted Jennys on this sheet commemorate the many ways a single stamp can turn a moment in history upside down. The stamp sheet issuance coincides with the grand opening of the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum William H. Gross Stamp Gallery to position the museum as housing the world’s largest stamp collection. The museum is located in Washington, DC.
The Backstory
In 1918, in a rush to celebrate the first airmail flight, the Post Office department issued the 24-cent Curtiss Jenny stamp. Because the design required two colors, sheets were placed on the printing press twice — first to apply red ink and a second time to apply blue ink. This process was given to human error — as stamp collectors at the time well knew.
A Washington, DC Post Office clerk — who had never seen an airplane — sold a sheet of 100 stamps mistakenly showing the biplane upside down. For nearly a century, stamp collectors have chased the Inverted Jennys and have accounted for nearly all 100 of them.
Customers may view the Stamp Collecting: Inverted Jenny stamps, as well as many of this year’s other stamps, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/USPSStamps, on Twitter @USPSstamps or on the website Beyond the Perf at http://beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview. Beyond the Perf is the Postal Service’s online site for information on upcoming stamp subjects, first-day-of-issue events and other philatelic news.
Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
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 http://usps.com/stamps 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:
Stamp Collecting: Inverted Jenny 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 up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, there is a five-cent charge per postmark. All orders must be postmarked by November 22, 2013.
Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at http://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
Nine philatelic products are available:
n 580006, Press Sheet with Die Cuts, $72 (print quantity of 2,500).
n 580008, Press Sheet without Die Cuts, $72 (print quantity of 3,000).
n 580010, Keepsake (Souvenir Sheet and Digital Color Postmark Set), $15.95.
n 580016, First-Day Cover, $2.44.
n 580018, First-Day Cover (Full Sheet), $14.50.
n 580019, First-Day Cancelled (Full Sheet), $14.50.
n 580021, Digital Color Postmark, $3.15.
n 580027, Limited Edition, $200 (see item description below).
n 580030, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
Limited Edition, Item 580027 (Limited — 10 per Customer):
Merging past with present, the limited-quantity Inverted Jenny Collector’s Edition (Item 580027 pictured above) pays tribute to the beloved stamp, taking collectors up close to the intaglio printing process behind the 2013 Stamp Collecting: Inverted Jenny stamps.
The set includes a series of collectible proofs pulled during the time of the 2013 production, showing each intaglio color in isolation; an authentic section of the die wipe used during the press run; one mint and one cancelled sheet of Stamp Collecting: Inverted Jenny stamps; a 48-page booklet that reveals the story of the stamp, from how the initial error leaked, to why the Postal Service is issuing the new version; and a protective box that bears an ornamental seal showing the stamp name and biplane in hand-drawn lettering.
The set is priced at $200. Up to 5,000 will be sold. Preorders will be accepted through October 15, 2013, while supplies last, via http://usps.com/shop or 800-STAMP-24 with fulfillment in December.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
# # #
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at http://about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.
For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to http://about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.
A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation — 152 million residences, businesses and Post Office™ Boxes. The Postal Service™ receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With 31,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com®, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world’s mail. If it were a private sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 42nd in the 2012 Fortune 500. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency for seven years and the fourth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.
Follow the Postal Service on www.twitter.com/USPS and at www.facebook.com/USPS.
Sample Speech
SAMPLE STAMP DEDICATION SPEECH
POSTAL SERVICE OFFICIAL’S NAME AND TITLE
United States Postal Service
Inverted Jenny Stamp
Special Dedication Ceremony
Date
City, State
Good [Morning/Afternoon/Evening]. My name is ______________________ and I’m [Title] for the United States Postal Service. Welcome to today’s ceremony.
OR:
Thank you, ______________________, for your kind introduction. And thank you all for joining us for this event. [Optional: Add A Brief Comment About How This Location Relates to The Stamp Subject]
I also want to thank our special guests for joining us in [City/Town/Type of Setting].
In particular, I’m glad that our good friend(s) [Name of Elected Official] is/are here, along with [Other Individuals Who Should Be Recognized].
We’re here to remember a great gaffe that turned into a great gift.
History is filled with moments like these. Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin when a petri dish accidentally became contaminated in his lab. Christopher Columbus discovered America when he took a wrong turn on the way to India.
At the Postal Service, we have our own version.
In 1918 — when Woodrow Wilson sat in the White House and the union consisted of just 48 states — the government began its first regular airmail service. U.S. Army pilots flew the route, which went from New York City to Philadelphia to Washington, DC.
To mark the occasion — and to help cover the cost of moving mail by air — we decided to issue a special 24-cent stamp.
The stamp featured an image of the biplane used to carry the mail: a Curtiss JN-4H, also known as the “Jenny.”
The plane was pictured in blue, with a red frame showing the 24-cent denomination — the ideal colors to reflect the patriotic pride everyone felt as the era of airmail began.
There was just one problem.
When the stamps were printed, some of them showed the plane upside down.
How did this happen?
To begin with, the stamps were rushed into production so they could be issued on May 14, the day before the airmail service began.
Also, because the design required two colors, sheets were placed on the printing press twice — a process that made human error seem almost inevitable.
Collectors knew this.
One of them, a gentleman named William Robey, was on the lookout for stamps with printing errors when he went to a Post Office in Washington, DC, on the day the stamps went on sale.
To Mr. Robey’s amazement, he was able to purchase a 100-stamp sheet of Jenny stamps that showed the biplane upside down.
As Mr. Robey later recalled — Quote — “The clerk reached down under the counter and brought forth a full sheet — and my heart stood still.”
It turns out Mr. Robey now owned the only sheet of misprinted stamps to fall into public hands.
Days later, he sold it to a Philadelphia stamp dealer, who resold it to another collector. The stamps were eventually broken into blocks and singles — and a legend was born.
For almost a century, stamp collectors have chased these “Inverted Jennys.” They have become some of America’s most coveted collectibles, capturing the imaginations of Americans everywhere.
Today, the Postal Service is proud to give everyone an opportunity to own an Inverted Jenny.
We’re issuing a souvenir sheet of six Inverted Jenny stamps. They’re being reprinted with a $2 (“two dollar”) denomination to easily distinguish them from the 24-cent originals.
The printing plates for the new stamps were created using proofs made from the original Inverted Jenny dies.
The souvenir sheet features a map of the original airmail route, along with the image of aviation pioneer Reuben Fleet, who was in charge of the first group of airmail pilots.
You’ll also see a picture of the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC, where visitors can see some of the original misprinted stamps. So we hope you’ll find room in your collection for one of the new Inverted Jennys.
Perhaps the stamps will take your breath away, the way the original stamps did when William Robey saw them in 1918.
Perhaps they’ll inspire you to take up stamp collecting — or maybe you’ll use the new stamps for your mailing purposes.
Whatever the reason, let the Inverted Jenny serve as a reminder that sometimes, gaffes can become gifts — even if they turn everything upside down.
Thank you.
[Pause For Applause]
And now I’d like to invite our guests to join me on stage for the presentation of the Inverted Jenny stamp.
[Unveil The Stamps, Pose For Photos]
Government Relations Representatives
Feel free to contact these individuals for assistance in contacting elected officials you may wish to invite to your event. To dial the extension, please use prefix 202-268-XXXX.
Area Corporate Communications Managers
Please feel free to contact these individuals for assistance in promoting your events.
Capital Metro
George Maffett
Telephone: 301-548-1465
email: george.t.maffett@usps.gov
Eastern
Paul Smith
Telephone: 215-863-5055
email: paul.f.smith@usps.gov
Great Lakes
Victor Dubina
Telephone: 216-443-4596
email: victor.dubina@usps.gov
Pacific
Don Smeraldi
Telephone: 858-674-3149
email: don.a.smeraldi@usps.gov
Northeast
Maureen Marion
Telephone: 860-285-7029
email: maureen.p.marion@usps.gov
Southern
Polly Gibbs
email: polly.j.gibbs@usps.gov
Western
John Friess
Telephone: 303-313-5130
email: john.g.friess@usps.gov
— Media Relations,
Corporate Communications, 9-19-13
