USPS News: Philatelic Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2001 Stamp Release No. 01-034 Comic Strip 'Peanuts' to be Immortalized by U.S. Postal Service 'World War I Flying Ace' pictured on postage stamp representing genius of Charles M. Schulz WASHINGTON — Known as Joe Cool, World War I Flying Ace, Literary Ace, Flashbeagle, Vulture, Foreign Legionnaire and "that round-headed kid's dog," Snoopy symbolizes the simple yet effective way Charles M. Schulz expressed the anxieties and joys of childhood in the PEANUTS comic strip. Next month, the United States Postal Service will honor the comic strip and its creator with the issuance of the PEANUTS commemorative postage stamp. The first day of issue ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. (PT) on May 17 at Snoopy's Home Ice (the Redwood Empire Ice Arena), 1665 W. Steele Ln., Santa Rosa, Calif. The stamp will be available at the ceremony and at Santa Rosa post offices on May 17, and available nationwide starting May 18. The event is free and open to the public, and attendees are invited to enjoy a free skate after the ceremony until 2:00 p.m. Snoopy is central to the comic strip and extremely popular for his imaginative adventures from atop his doghouse. An ensemble cast of children, however, makes the strip complete. Among them are the lovable Charlie Brown, who never gives up despite unending failure; the philosophical, blanket-carrying Linus; the fussbudget Lucy, who dispenses psychological advice for a nickel from behind a concession stand; and toy-piano virtuoso Schroeder. Charles M. Schulz began his fascination with comic strips early, reading the Sunday comics from four different newspapers with his father each week. With encouragement from his parents, Schulz enrolled in a correspondence course in cartooning. PEANUTS debuted in syndication on Oct. 2, 1950. On Feb. 12, 2000, only hours before his last original PEANUTS strip appeared in Sunday papers, Schulz died of complications from colon cancer in Santa Rosa. Illustrated by Schulz, and designed by Paige Braddock under the art direction of Carl Herrman of Carlsbad, Calif., the PEANUTS stamp depicts Snoopy in his role as the World War I Flying Ace. The name of the comic strip, PEANUTS, appears in the upper left-hand corner of the stamp. PEANUTS is licensed and syndicated by United Media (UM) — a worldwide licensing and syndication company that focuses on building brand equity around a wide range of creative content. To see the PEANUTS stamp, and preliminary images of forthcoming 2001 stamps and stationery, visit the Postal Store at www.usps.com and select "Stamp Release Schedule." To see previous releases, select "Index of Stamp Issues." All current stamps and other philatelic products, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling toll free 1 800 STAMP-24. A selection of current stamps and gift items are available online at the Postal Store. # # # 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 Office, by telephone at 1 800 STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site, www.usps.com. 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: peanuts Commemorative STAMp, postmaster, 730 Second st, santa rosa ca 95402-9991. 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 June 16, 2001. Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and postal 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 telephoning 1 800 STAMP-24 or writing to: INFORMATION FULFILLMENT, DEPT 6270, US POSTAL SERVICE, PO BOX 219014, KANSAS CITY, MO 64121-9014 First day covers remain on sale for at least 1 year after the stamp's issuance. TECHNICAL DETAILS: Issue: Peanuts Item Number: 450600 Denomination & Type of Issue: 34-cent Commemorative Format: Pane of 20 (1 design) Series: N/A Issue Date & City: May 17, 2001 Santa Rosa, CA 95402 Artist: Charles M. Schulz Designer: Paige Braddock, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates Engraver: N/A Art Director: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA Typographer: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA Modeler: Joseph Sheeran Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprinting, "USPS" Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU) Printed at: Williamsville, NY Press Type: Stevens, Vari-size Security Press Stamps per Coil/Pane: 20 Print Quantity: 125 million stamps Paper Type: Nonphosphored, Type III, block tagging Gum Type: Self-adhesive Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Blue (PMS 542) Stamp Orientation: Horizontal Image Area (w x h): 1.40 x 0.84 in./35.56 x 21.336 mm Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.99 in./39.624 x 25.146 mm Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.135 x 6.292 in./181.229 x 159.816 mm Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution Plate Numbers: "P" followed by five (5) single digits Marginal Markings: " 2000 USPS" Plate block (9 positions) Price Plate numbers Barcodes "PEANUTS by SCHULZ" header with illustration Catalog Item Number(s): 450640 Full Pane of 20 - $6.80 450630 Strip of 10 - $3.40 450620 Block of 4 - $1.36 450661 First Day Cover - $0.55 Sale Date: May 17, 2001 Nationwide Sale Date: May 18, 2001 ###