![FDOI FDOI](images/info_004_1.jpg)
©2022 USPS
On April 8, 2022, in Chicago, IL, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Shel Silverstein stamp (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate) in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 481900). This stamp will go on sale nationwide April 8, 2022, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue.
This issuance honors Shel Silverstein (1930–1999), one of the 20th century’s most imaginative authors and illustrators. The stamp features Silverstein’s drawing of a boy catching an apple, a version of which appears on the cover of his picture book The Giving Tree, a story about a friendship between a motherly tree and a boy. 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 before the first-day-of-issue through SFS Web at sfsweb.usps.gov/sfsweb.
Only the following pictorial postmark is permitted for the Shel Silverstein stamp. The word “Station” or the abbreviation “STA” is required somewhere in the design because it will be a temporary station. Use of any image other than the following special pictorial image is prohibited.
![Special Postmark Special Postmark](images/info_004_2.jpg)
![Special Postmark Special Postmark](images/info_004_3.jpg)
To finalize the Shel Silverstein stamp pictorial postmark art, insert the date, city, state, and ZIP Code™ of the physical location of your event adjacent to the stamp image. Overall dimensions of the pictorial postmark must not exceed 4 inches (horizontally) by 2 inches (vertically). Collectors prefer the dimensions 3-1/2 inches by 1 inch.
The Postal Service™ must make all special postmarks known to collectors through advance publicity in the Postal Bulletin. Therefore, all special dedication cancellations must be reported to Stamp Services 4 weeks before the event using PS Form 413, Pictorial Postmark Announcement/Report. To get a copy of the form, go to blue.usps.gov/formmgmt/forms/ps413.pdf.
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop. They must 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 – Shel Silverstein Stamp
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 August 8, 2022.
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 USA Philatelic catalog and online at usps.com/shop. Customers may register to receive a free USA Philatelic catalog online at usps.com/philatelic.
Locally produced items are not authorized. Only merchandise that has been approved and assigned an item number by Headquarters Retail Marketing may be produced and sold.
Issue:
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Shel Silverstein Stamp
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Item Number:
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481900
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Denomination & Type of Issue:
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First-Class Mail Forever
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Format:
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Pane of 20
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Series:
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N/A
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Issue Date & City:
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April 8, 2022, Chicago, IL 60607
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Art Director:
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Derry Noyes, Washington, DC 20008
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Designer:
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Derry Noyes, Washington, DC 20008
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Typographer:
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Derry Noyes, Washington, DC 20008
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Artist:
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Shel Silverstein
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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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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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20,000,000 stamps
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Paper Type:
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Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
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Adhesive Type:
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Pressure-sensitive
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Colors:
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Pantone 360 C, Black 6 C, 364 C, 186 C
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Stamp Orientation:
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Vertical
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Image Area (w x h):
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0.84 x 1.42 in/21.336 x 36.068 mm
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Overall Size (w x h):
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0.98 x 1.56 in/24.892 x 39.624 mm
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Full Pane Size (w x h):
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5.92 x 7.24 in/150.368 x 183.896 mm
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Press Sheet Size (w x h):
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22.75 x 27.00 in/577.85 x 685.80 mm
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Plate Size:
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240 stamps per revolution
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Plate Number:
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“P” followed by four (4) single digits
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Marginal Markings:
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Front:
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Plate number in 4 corners
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Back:
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©2022 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (481900) • USPS logo • Promotional text • Plate position diagram (6)
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— Stamp Services,
Marketing, 2-24-22