©2016 USPS
On September 24, 2016, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Eastern Tailed-Blue (Butterfly) Non-machineable Surcharge rate stamp, (Non-denominated priced at 68 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 119500).
The stamp will go on sale nationwide September 24, 2016.
The Eastern tailed-blue butterfly graces the sixth non-machineable butterfly stamp for use on irregularly sized envelopes, such as square greeting cards, invitations, or announcements. The stamp art was created on a computer, using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point. The result is a highly stylized, simplified image of an Eastern tailed-blue rather than an exact replica. The Eastern tailed-blue butterfly (Cupido comyntas) is named for the iridescent blue color of its upper wing surface, more vivid in the male, which is depicted in this illustration. Common east of the Rocky Mountains and in some parts of the West, the Eastern tailed-blue butterfly’s range also extends into Mexico, Central America, and southern Canada.
The square format of the stamp was developed in partnership with the greeting card industry specifically for oversized or square envelopes. These envelopes cannot pass through the automated postal processing system and have to be hand-cancelled. They are charged a non-machineable surcharge even if they weigh less than one ounce. Greeting card envelopes printed with a silhouette of a butterfly indicate the need for additional postage — or the use of a butterfly stamp. Any non-machineable envelope, like oddly-shaped or vertical envelopes, as well as lumpy envelopes, rigid envelopes, or mail with clasps, ribbons, or buttons, may use this stamp.
The Eastern Tailed-Blue (Butterfly) stamp is available in sheets of twenty. The words “NON-MACHINEABLE SURCHARGE” on the stamp indicate its usage value. Like a Forever® stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the rate printed on it. Nationally known artist Tom Engeman created the stamp art. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.
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.
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 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:
Eastern Tailed-Blue (Butterfly) Stamp
Stamp Fulfillment Services
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-9998
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 November 24, 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 three philatelic products for this stamp issue:
n 119516*, First-Day Cover, $1.12.
n 119521*, Digital Color Postmark, $1.83.
n 119524*, Framed Art, $19.95.
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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Eastern Tailed-Blue (Butterfly) Stamp
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Item Number:
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119500
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Denomination & Type of Issue:
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Non-machineable Surcharge Rate, Mail-Use
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Format:
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Pane of 20 (1 design)
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Series:
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N⁄A
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Issue Date & City:
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September 24, 2016, Kansas City, MO 64108
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Art Director:
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Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
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Designer:
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Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
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Typographer:
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Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
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Artist:
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Tom Engeman, Frederick, MD
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Modeler:
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Joseph Sheeran
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Manufacturing Process:
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Offset, Microprint
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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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Muller A76
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Stamps per Pane:
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20
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Print Quantity:
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150,000,000 stamps
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Paper Type:
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Nonphosphored Type III, Spot Tag
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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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Colors:
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Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
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Stamp Orientation:
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Vertical
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Image Area (w x h):
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1.09 x 1.09 in.⁄27.56 x 27.56 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
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1.23 x 1.23 in.⁄31.12 x 31.12 mm
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Full Pane Size (w x h):
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5.90 x 7.12 in.⁄149.86 x 180.85 mm
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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 four (4) digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Front:
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Header “EASTERN TAILED-BLUE” • Plate number in four corners of pane
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Back:
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USPS Logo • Barcode (119500) upper right and lower left corners • Plate position diagram • ©USPS 2016
• Promotional text
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— Stamp Services,
Marketing and Sales, 9-15-16
