Kwanzaa Stamp Now Available

Fort Myers, Cape Coral Fl — The U.S. Postal Service has re-issued a special Kwanzaa stamp in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps. The 42-cent stamp was designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, and is on sale nationwide.

Kwanzaa is a nonreligious African American holiday that takes place over seven days from December 26 to January 1. It draws on African traditions and takes its name from the Swahili phrase for “first fruits.” Its origins are in harvest celebrations that occurred in ancient and modern times in various places across the African continent.

The stamp design appropriately balances formality with a celebratory, festive mood. The seven days of Kwanzaa and the seven principles they signify are represented by seven figures in colorful robes. 35 million stamps have been printed.

This stamp design was previously issued with a 37-cent denomination in 2004, a 39-cent denomination in 2006, and a 41-cent denomination in 2007.

Customers have 90 days from the official first day of issuance date to obtain first day of sale postmarks on new stamps and stationery items. Collectors may request a first day of sale postmark by mail only. There is no charge for servicing of first day of sale postmarks up to 50 covers. Mail-in customers must supply a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage applied to return the serviced covers.

To obtain the first day of sale postmark, mail stationery items bearing a Kwanzaa stamp to: Customer Relations USPS, 79 Mid Cape Terr Ste 8, Cape Coral, FL 33991. Please specify which city you are requesting a postmark for—Fort Myers or Cape Coral; if not specified, the postmark applied will be for the return address city. All orders must be postmarked by December 25, 2008.

For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777, or visit www.usps.com.

To schedule a presentation for your community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 239-573-9638.

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