On June 1, 2016, in New York, NY, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Classics Forever stamps (Forever® priced at 47 cents) in six designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) souvenir sheet of six stamps (Item 586800). The Classics Forever souvenir sheet of six stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually.
The Classics Forever stamps, which will appear in the May 12, 2016 edition of the Postal Bulletin (PB 22441), will go on sale nationwide June 1, 2016.
This souvenir sheet is issued in celebration of the long history of U.S. postage stamps — and in appreciation of stamp collectors and philatelists everywhere. The elaborately designed sheet features new versions of six of America\u0027s earliest and most alluring stamps, now issued as Forever stamps to make them easily distinguishable from the mid 19th-century originals. The intaglio-printed designs featured are George Washington (1851, originally 12 cents), Benjamin Franklin (1851, originally one cent), George Washington (1860, originally 24 cents), George Washington (1860, originally 90 cents), Abraham Lincoln (1866, originally 15 cents), and Benjamin Franklin (1861, originally one cent). The selvage is composed of postal cancellations and script from envelopes contemporaneous with the stamps. These elements are arranged on a buff-colored background with a textured look to evoke stationery of the period. An inner border evoking star-spangled patriotic bunting also bears the title “Classics Forever” at top and bottom and the words “The Classic Era” on either side. Eric Madsen created the artwork for the selvage. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the issuance.
There will be no initial supply to Post Offices™ as these stamps will only be available for ordering through The Postal Store® website at http:⁄⁄www.usps.com⁄shop, by calling 800-782-6724, or at the World Stamp Show.
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps through 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:
Classics Forever Stamps
Special Events Coordinator
380 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10199-9998
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 up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by August 1, 2016.
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
There are six philatelic products for this stamp issue:
n 586806, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $28.20
(print quantity 8,000).
n 586810*, Keepsake, $15.95.
n 586816*, First-Day Cover (set of 6), $5.46.
n 586821*, Digital Color Postmark (set of 6), $9.72.
n 586824*, Framed Art, $39.95.
n 586830*, Ceremony Program (random single), $6.95.
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.
Technical details for Classics Forever stamps will appear in the May 12, 2016 edition of the Postal Bulletin (PB 22441).
— Stamp Services,
Marketing and Sales, 4-28-16
