USPS News: Philatelic Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 9, 2001
Stamp Release No. 01-058
CARNIVOROUS PLANTS CELEBRATED ON U.S. POSTAGE STAMPS
Four species offer a tasty philatelic and botanical delight!
WASHINGTON - Four of the most unique plant species will be commemorated by the U.S. Postal Service with the issuance of the Carnivorous Plants stamps. The Venus flytrap, Yellow trumpet, Cobra lilly, and English sundew are featured on a pane of twenty 34-cent stamps that will be available in Des Plaines, Ill, on Aug. 23 and at post offices nationwide beginning the following day. All plants on the pane are native to-but not necessarily restricted to-North America.
The Carnivorous Plants stamps will be dedicated on the first day of the four-day American Philatelic Society STAMPSHOW 2001. The first day of issue ceremony will take place at 12 Noon in Room D of the Donald E. Stephens (Rosemont) Convention Center, 5555 North River Road Hall G, Rosemont, Ill.
STAMPSHOW 2001 runs August 23 through August 26 and the show hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free and the public is welcome.
STAMPSHOW 2001 will host postal administrations from around the world, fifty national societies, and more than a hundred twenty-five meetings and seminars. The show features 150 philatelic dealers and more than 12,000 pages of competitive exhibits showcasing many rare stamps and stamp stationery. Several auctions can be expected at the STAMPSHOW.
The 34-cent Carnivorous Plants stamps feature four original illustrations by Steve Buchanan, Winstead, Ct. and the art director was Phil Jordan, Falls Church, Va.
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is shown with a little metalmark-a kind of butterfly-caught in one of its leaves. These small plants have traps ranging from one to two inches long. From Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to central North Carolina, the Venus flytrap is found in moist, sandy areas near the coast.
A fly perches on the lip of the yellow trumpet (Sarracenia flava), also known as the trumpet or yellow pitcherplant. If the fly enters the tube of the plant, the yellow trumpet's stiff, downward-pointing hairs help prevent the insect from escaping. Once caught in the trap, the insect drowns in, and is digested by, a pool of water and enzymes in the bottom of the plant. Found in the southeastern United States, mature yellow trumpets grow to be 30-35 inches-and occasionally up to 48 inches-tall.
An unwary wasp is drawn toward the mouth of the Cobra lily (Darlingtonia californica), a plant native to the West Coast. Sometimes called California pitcher plant or Cobra plant, the Cobra lily's colorations and fragrant nectar lure insects into its tubular leaves. Once inside, insects are prevented from escaping by a collar around the entrance.
The English sundew (Drosera anglica) is a small plant that uses its sticky leaves to trap insects. Here an unlucky syrphid fly has been caught by the plant. English sundews are found in mossy bogs across the northern latitudes of the United States and along the West Coast as far south as California.
To see the Carnivorous Plants stamps, and other 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: Carnivorous Plants
Item Number: 451000
Denomination & Type of Issue: 34-cent commemorative
Format: Pane of 20 (4 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: August 23, 2001, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Illustrator: Steve Buchanan, Winsted, CT
Designer: Steve Buchanan, Winsted, CT
Engraver: Armotek Industries
Art Director: Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Typographer: Steve Buchanan, Winsted, CT
Modeler: Avery Dennison, SPD
Manufacturing Process: Gravure
Printer: Avery Dennison (AVR)
Printed at: AVR, Clinton, SC
Press Type: Dia Nippon Kiko (DNK)
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 100 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored, Type III, Block tagging
Gum Type: Self-adhesive
Processed at: AVR, Clinton, SC
Colors: Yellow, Cyan, Magenta, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.840 x 1.410 in./21.336 x 35.814 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.990 x 1.560 in./25.146 x 39.624 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.85 x 7.75 in./148.59 x 196.85 mm
Plate Size: 160 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "V" followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: "Ó 2000 USPS" · Price · Plate position diagram ·
Plate numbers · Header "Carnivorurs Plants"
Catalog Item Number(s): 451040 Full Pane - $6.80
451030 Block of 10 - $3.40
451020 Block of 4 - $1.36
451063 First Day Cancellation - $2.20
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 Website at www.shop.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: CARNIVOROUS PLANTS COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS, POSTMASTER, 1000 WEST OAKTON ST., DES PLAINES IL 60018-9998.
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 Sept. 22, 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. A catalog can also be obtained by sending an email request to sfs@email.usps.gov. First day covers remain on sale for at least one year after the stamp's issuance.
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Every year the Postal Service delivers more than 40% of the world's mail - more than 210 billion pieces - and adds the equivalent of a city the size of Chicago to its delivery network, expanding to accommodate an ever-growing nation. To maintain affordable universal service, the need for regulatory reform grows stronger with each passing day. The Postal Service will continue its efforts to achieve a new regulatory model that, in helping the Postal Service to succeed helps its customers as well.
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