Stamp Announcement 16-08: Grapes Stamp

© 2015 USPS

On February 19, 2016, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service^® will issue the 5-cent denominated Grapes stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 781900).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 19, 2016.

In 2016, the Postal Service issues Grapes, a new 5-cent definitive stamp. The stamp art features two clusters of deep-purple pinot noir grapes growing on vines among several green leaves. The illustrations were created with pen and ink and watercolor. Art director Derry Noyes designed this stamp with an existing illustration by John Burgoyne.

Initial Supply to Post Offices: Item 781900, Grapes, 5 cents, PSA Coil of 10,000

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™. Post Offices may begin ordering stamps prior to the FDOI through SFS Web.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet First-Class Mail^® requirements. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store^® website at http:⁄⁄www.usps.com⁄shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. 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:

Grapes Stamp
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-0001

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. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by April 19, 2016.

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 http:⁄⁄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 for this stamp issue:

n 781916*, First-Day Cover, $0.98.

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.

— Stamp Services,
Marketing and Sales, 2-18-16