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USPS News: Philatelic Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2001
Stamp Release No. 01-050
POSTAL SERVICE AMISH QUILT STAMPS HONOR AMERICAN TRADITION
New American Treasures Series begins with American Folk Art
New American Treasures Series begins with American Folk Art
WASHINGTON - Four Amish quilts reproduced in a repeating, rhythmic, quilt-like pattern will be commemorated next month by the U.S. Postal Service with the issuance of the first stamps in the new American Treasures series. The quilts are featured on a pane of twenty 34-cent stamps that will be available in Nappanee, Indiana on Aug. 9 and at post offices nationwide beginning the following day.The First Day of Issue ceremony will take place in the Round Barn Theatre located at the Amish Acresr Historic Farm, 1600 W. Mark St., Nappanee, Indiana, on opening day of the 39th Annual Amish Acresr Arts and Crafts Festival. More than 360 vendors from across the nation are participating. 70,000 visitors are expected to attend the four-day Festival that Sunshine Artist magazine has ranked one of the "Best Traditional Craft Shows" in the nation.
The Amish quilt is a uniquely American folk art form. Distinctive in its simplicity, symmetry, deft needlework, and broad fields of deep color, the Amish quilt is one of the most expressive in American design. Amish quilting traditions vary from region to region, yet all are influenced by the religious and social values of Amish daily life: humility, simplicity, modesty, and serviceability.
The four quilts repeated on this pane of stamps display the saturated colors, bold geometric patterns, and central design motifs characteristic of quilts made in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in the first half of the 20th century. The quilts belong to the Foundation for Deep Ecology in San Francisco, and are curated by The Quilt Complex, located in Albion, California.
Unknown Amish quilt makers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania created each quilt in pieced wools. From left to right in the top row, the four quilts are: Diamond in the Square, c.1920, 78" x 78"; Lone Star, c.1920, 88" x 89"; Sunshine and Shadow, c.1910, 80" x 80"; and Double Ninepatch (variation), 79" x 79".
The 34-cent American Treasures Amish Quilt stamps were designed by stamp art director Derry Noyes, Washington, D.C., and a special pictorial cancellation (postmark) was designed by local Nappanee artist Jeff Stillson.
To see the American Treasures stamps and other upcoming 2001 stamps and stationery, choose "Shop" at www.usps.com and visit the Postal Store. The Collector's Corner contains the "Stamp Release Schedule" for unreleased 2001 stamps and "Index of Stamp Issues" for previous releases.
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.
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TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Amish Quilts
Item Number: 451400
Denomination & Type of Issue: 34-cent Commemorative
Format: Pane of 20 (4 designs)
Series: American Treasures
Issue Date & City: August 9, 2001, Nappanee, IN 46550
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC 20008
Engraver: N/A
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC 20008
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC 20008
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter USA Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Stevens, Security Press
Stamps per Coil/Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 96 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored, Type III
Gum Type: Self-adhesive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 187 (Red)
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 1.105 in./36.068 x 28.067 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 1.225 in./39.624 x 31.115 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.063 x 7.75 x in./179.40 x 196.85 mm
Plate Size: 120 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: 2000 USPS Plate Block (6 positions) Price Plate Numbers Barcodes “AMERICAN TREASURES” Header
Catalog Item Number(s): 451440 Pane of 20 w/plate no and header — $6.80
451430 Block of 10 — $3.40
451420 Block of 4 — $1.36
451463 First Day Cover (Set of 4) — $2.20
Postal Retail Store
Item Number(s): 451415 Full Pane — $6.80
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: AMISH QUILTS COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS, POSTMASTER, 202 E MARKET ST, NAPPANEE IN 46550-9998.
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 September 8, 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.
