© 2016
On August 3, 2017, in Richmond, VA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Protect Pollinators stamps (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in five designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 475200). The Protect Pollinators $9.80 pane of 20 stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually. The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 3, 2017.
The U.S. Postal Service pays tribute to the beauty and importance of pollinators with stamps depicting two of our continent’s most iconic: the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), each shown industriously pollinating a variety of plants native to North America.
The stamps feature:
n A monarch and a coneflower
(photo by Karen Mayford);
n A western honeybee and a golden ragwort
(photo by George D. Lepp);
n A monarch and a zinnia
(photo by Bonnie Sue Rauch);
n A western honeybee and a New England aster
(photo by Michael Durham); and
n A monarch and goldenrod
(photo by Justin Fowler).
The remainder of the stamps in this pane recur in a scattered arrangement reminiscent of a field of wildflowers. The selvage photograph features a monarch and a goldenrod — a different view of the same two species depicted on one of the stamps (photo by Justin Fowler). These particular species exemplify the ecological service provided by all pollinators, which include other insects, birds, and bats. Trending declines in their populations alert us that pollinators now need mindful human intervention in order to thrive. Individuals can help butterflies, bees, and other pollinators by planting pollinator gardens that include native flowers or heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables. Art director Derry Noyes designed this stamp pane with existing photographs.
Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™ of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales. Distribution quantities for the automatic push distribution will be available by logging on to SFS Web at sfsweb.usps.gov. Post Offices may begin ordering stamps on the first-day-of-issue through SFS Web; offices must also check the amount they will receive on their automatic push distribution.
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 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:
FDOI – Protect Pollinators Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
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 October 3, 2017.
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, online at usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free issue of USA Philatelic at usps.com/philatelic, by calling 800-782-6724, or by writing to:
U.S. Postal Service
USA Philatelic Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:
n 475206, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $88.20.
n 475210*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (set of 5), $18.95.
n 475216*, First-Day Cover (set of 5), $4.65.
n 475221*, Digital Color Postmark (set of 5), $8.20.
n 475224*, Framed Art, $29.95.
n 475230*, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
n 475233*, Panel, $10.95.
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:
|
Protect Pollinators Stamps
|
Item Number:
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475200
|
Denomination & Type of Issue:
|
First-Class Mail® Forever
|
Format:
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Pane of 20 (5 designs)
|
Series:
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N/A
|
Issue Date & City:
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August 3, 2017, Richmond, VA 23232
|
Art Director:
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Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
|
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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Existing Photos:
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Michael Durham, George D. Lepp, Karen Mayford, Bonnie Sue Rauch, Justin Fowler
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Modeler:
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Joseph Sheeran
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Manufacturing Process:
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Offset
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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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60,000,000 stamps
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Paper Type:
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Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
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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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Horizontal
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Image Area (w x h):
|
1.42 x 0.84 in/36.07 x 21.34 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
|
1.56 x 0.98 in/39.62 x 24.89 mm
|
Full Pane Size (w x h):
|
7.24 x 7.83 in/183.90 x 198.88 mm
|
Press Sheet Size (w x h):
|
21.97 x 24.365 in/558.04 x 618.87 mm
|
Plate Size:
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180 stamps per revolution
|
Plate Numbers:
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“P” followed by four (4) digits
|
Marginal Markings:
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Front:
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Plate Numbers in two corners of pane • Header “Protect Pollinators”
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Back:
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©2016 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (475200) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text
|
— Stamp Services,
Marketing, 6-22-17
