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STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 04-21

R. Buckminster Fuller Stamp

The Postal ServiceTM will issue a 37-cent, R. Buckminster Fuller commemorative stamp (Item 456400) in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 on July 12, 2004, in Stanford, California. The stamp, designed by Carl T. Herrman of Carlsbad, California, goes on sale nationwide July 13, 2004.

The stamp honors inventor, architect, engineer, designer, geometrician, cartographer, and philosopher R. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) on the 50th anniversary of his patent for the geodesic dome, his most famous invention. Hailed as "one of the greatest minds of our times," Fuller was renowned for his comprehensive perspective on the world's problems. For more than 5 decades, he developed pioneering solutions that reflected his commitment to the potential of innovative design to create technology that does "more with less" and thereby improves human lives.

The stamp artwork is a painting of Fuller by Boris Artzybasheff (1899-1965). The painting, which originally appeared on the cover of Time magazine on January 10, 1964, depicts Fuller's head in the pattern of a geodesic dome. Fuller is surrounded by geodesic domes and a number of his other inventions, including the DymazionTM Car, a geodesic dome being airlifted by helicopter, the 4D Apartment House, and several objects and models that reflect the geometric and structural principles he discovered.

How to Order the First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post OfficeTM, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop. 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:

R BUCKMINSTER FULLER COMMEMORATIVE STAMP
POSTMASTER
WHITE PLAZA
STANFORD CA 94305-9991

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. All orders must be postmarked by August 11, 2004.

How to Order First Day Covers

Stamp Fulfillment Services 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. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products

There are no philatelic products for this stamp issue.

Distribution: Item 456400, 37-cent R. Buckminster Fuller Commemorative Stamp

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive approximately one-half the standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA sheet stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size (40,000 stamps).

Initial Supply to Post Offices

From the initial shipment, SDOs will make a subsequent automatic distribution to Post Offices for one-half their standard automatic distribution quantities using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs must not distribute stamps to Post Offices before July 6, 2004.

Philatelic Requirement

SDOs with authorized philatelic centers will receive an automatic distribution of these stamps in six positions for subsequent distribution to each philatelic window.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional quantities of Item 456400 must requisition them from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional stamps must order them from the appropriate accountable paper depository (APD) using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs, the San Francisco APD will receive 1,600,000 additional stamps; the Chicago, New York, and Memphis APDs will each receive 1,200,000 additional stamps; and the Denver APD will receive 480,000 additional stamps.

Sales Policy

All Post Offices must acquire and maintain a supply of each new commemorative stamp as long as customer demand exists, until inventory is depleted, or until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale. If supplies run low, Post Offices must reorder additional quantities using their normal ordering procedures.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 6-10-04

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 04-22

Wilma Rudolph Definitive Stamp

The Postal ServiceTM will issue a 23-cent, Wilma Rudolph definitive stamp on July 14, 2004, in Sacramento, California. The stamp, designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, goes on sale nationwide July 15, 2004.

With this fifth issuance in the Distinguished Americans series, the Postal Service honors Wilma Rudolph, who overcame a childhood plagued by serious illness to become one of the nation's greatest athletes. Artist Mark Summers created the portrait for the stamp using as a reference a photograph of Rudolph taken after she won three gold medals at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. Summers also created the stamp art for the first four issuances in the Distinguished Americans series: Joseph W. Stilwell (2000), Claude Pepper (2000), Hattie W. Caraway (2001), and Edna Ferber (2002).

The Wilma Rudolph stamp will be issued in a pressure- sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 108400), a PSA vending booklet of 10 stamps (Item 672900), and a PSA convertible booklet of 10 stamps (Item 673000).

How to Order First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post OfficeTM, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop. 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:

WILMA RUDOLPH DEFINITIVE STAMP
POSTMASTER
2000 ROYAL OAKS DR
SACRAMENTO, CA 95813-9998

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. All orders must be postmarked by August 13, 2004.

How to Order the First Day Covers

Stamp Fulfillment Services 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. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:

INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products

There are no philatelic products for this stamp issue.

Distribution: Item 108400, 23-cent Wilma Rudolph PSA Pane of 20

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive approximately one-half their standard automatic distribution quantity, for a PSA sheet stamp. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size (40,000 stamps).

Initial Supply to Post Offices

SDOs will not make a subsequent automatic distribution to Post Offices. To obtain an initial supply of the 23-cent Wilma Rudolph pane of 20, all Post Offices must immediately submit a separate PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return, to their designated SDO. SDOs must not distribute these stamps to Post Offices before July 6, 2004.

Philatelic Requirement

SDOs with authorized philatelic centers will receive an automatic distribution of these definitive stamps in six positions for subsequent distribution to each philatelic window.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional stamps must requisition them from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional stamps must order them from the appropriate accountable paper depository (APD) using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs, the San Francisco, Memphis, Chicago, and New York APDs will each receive 1,920,000 additional stamps; and the Denver APD will receive 1,000,000 additional stamps.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from APDs, the Kansas City Stamp Services Center will receive 26,880,000 additional stamps.

Distribution: $2.30 Wilma Rudolph, PSA Folded Vending Books of 10 (PSA) (Vending Use Only), Item 672900 (Straight Book), and Item 672911 (Crisscross Book)

SDOs will receive automatic distributions of the $2.30 Wilma Rudolph folded vending books of 10, including straight books (Item 672900) and crisscross books (Item 672911). Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size (4,500 for the straight book and 3,000 for the crisscross book).

Initial Supply to Post Offices

SDOs will not make a subsequent automatic distribution to Post Offices. Only Post Offices equipped with the appropriate self-service vending machines may order these items from their designated SDO using a separate PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs must not distribute stamps to Post Offices before July 6, 2003.

Additional Supply

Authorized Post Offices, requiring additional books for restocking of the appropriate self-service vending machines, must requisition them from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional books must order them from the appropriate accountable paper depository (APD) using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs, APDs will receive additional quantities of the vendible straight book (Item 672900) and crisscross book (Item 672911).

Distribution: Item 673000, $2.30 Wilma Rudolph PSA Convertible Booklet of 10

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive approximately one-sixth their standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA booklet. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size (4,000 booklets).

Initial Supply to Post Offices

SDOs will not make a subsequent automatic distribution to Post Offices. To obtain an initial supply of the $2.30 Wilma Rudolph booklet of 10, all Post Offices must immediately submit a separate PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return, to their designated SDO. SDOs must not distribute these booklets to Post Offices before July 6, 2004.

Philatelic Requirement

Authorized philatelic centers requiring this definitive booklet of 10 must order Item 673000 from their designated SDO using a separate PS Form 17.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional stamps must requisition them from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional stamps must order them from the appropriate accountable paper depository (APD) using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs, the San Francisco, Memphis, Chicago, and New York APDs will each receive 576,000 additional booklets; and the Denver APD will receive 192,000 additional booklets.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 6-10-04

Pictorial Cancellations Announcement

As a community service, the Postal ServiceTM offers pictorial cancellations to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. A list of events for which pictorial cancellations are authorized appears below. If available, the sponsor of the pictorial cancellation appears in italics under the date. Also provided, as space permits, are illustrations of those cancellations that were reproducible and available at press time.

People attending these local events may obtain the cancellation in person at the temporary Post OfficeTM station established there. Those who cannot attend the event, but who wish to obtain the cancellation, may submit a mail order request. Pictorial cancellations are available only for the dates indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial cancellation date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail® postage. Items submitted for cancellation may not include postage issued after the date of the requested cancellation. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a cancellation should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others,insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: PICTORIAL CANCELLATIONS, followed by the NAME OF THE STATION,ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP+4® CODE, exactly as listed below (using all capitals and no punctuation, except the hyphen in the ZIP+4 code).

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for cancellation, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial cancellation, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 6-10-04

UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT 04-D

2004 Stamps and Postal Stationery

"2004 Stamps and Postal Stationery" (Announcement 04-D, June 2004), which appears on page 1, is intended to replace the quarterly announcement of the same name, previously printed and sent to customers on request through Stamp Fulfillment Services in Kansas City. The announcement is a listing of stamps and postal stationery items scheduled for issuance during calendar year 2004. Post OfficesTM may wish to post this schedule on their bulletin boards.

Customers may also access the Postal Bulletin through the Postal ServiceTM Web site at www.usps.com; click on About USPS & News, then Forms & Publications, then Postal Bulletin.

This announcement will be updated every 2 to 3 months, as changes warrant.

How to Order First Day of Issue Cancellations and Covers

Customers may purchase new stamps or postal stationery items at their Post Office, from the USA Philatelic catalog, by calling 800-STAMP-24, or online at www.usps.com by clicking on Buy Stamps & Shop. Then they should prepare their own covers by affixing new stamps to the upper- right corner of envelopes or postcards of their choice, and address those envelopes, postcards, or postal stationery items to themselves or others. (Postage must equal the current First-Class Mail® rate.) For sturdiness, include a card of postcard thickness in each cover (envelopes only) submitted, and tuck in the flap. Place the cover in a larger envelope addressed to:

NAME OF ISSUE
POSTMASTER
CITY STATE ZIP CODE (followed by -9991).

Covers submitted for first day of issue cancellations may include additional uncancelled stamps only if the uncancelled stamps were issued before the first day of issue of the new stamps or postal stationery items. All orders must be postmarked on or before the deadline indicated in the "2004 Stamps and Postal Stationery" announcement that follows.

INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 6-10-04

Personalized Envelopes Program

The Personalized Envelopes Program provides custom- printed, stamped envelopes in boxes of 50 or 500. Customers may choose either (1) a Number 10 business envelope with up to seven personalized lines in the return address area, or (2) a Number 6.75 personal envelope with four personalized lines. In the return address area on the personalized lines, you can include:

• Advertising for a business.

• A telephone number.

• A facsimile number.

• An e-mail address.

Personalized envelopes add a professional appearance to any customer's mailings.

Personalized envelopes are economically priced - only pennies more than regular postage - and are available in a variety of envelope designs, formats, and postage. For more information, telephone 800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724).

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 6-10-04

Stamp Stock Items Withdrawn From Regular Sale and From Sale at Philatelic Centers

Effective close-of-business July 10, 2004, all Post OfficesTM, stations, branches, postal stores, vending o