USPS News: Philatelic Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2001
Stamp Release No. 01-065
Message Of Thanks Adorns Thanksgiving Postage Stamp Coming October 19
WASHINGTON - Since 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln issued a Proclamation of Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday of every November has been set aside as a special day for families in the United States to give thanks.
The U.S. Postal Service will honor this tradition by issuing the Thanksgiving stamp as part of its Holiday Celebrations series on Oct. 19 at a ceremony in Dallas, Texas.
The stamp, depicting a cornucopia overflowing with fruits and vegetables, will be issued at 10 a.m. (CT) in Thanks-Giving Square, located at the corner of Pacific and Ervay Streets. The stamp will be available at post offices beginning the following day.
"The Thanksgiving stamp provides a meaningful way for Americans to honor the tradition of being thankful for the many blessings we have as American citizens," said Einar Dyhrkopp, a member of the presidentially appointed Postal Service Board of Governors, who will dedicate the stamp.
The U.S. Thanksgiving holiday stems from a rich history of celebrations. The best known of these is the first harvest festival at Plymouth, Mass., where in autumn 1621 some 50 colonists and 90 Native Americans gathered for a three-day feast to offer thanks for a bountiful harvest.
The Center for World Thanksgiving at Thanks-Giving Square is an international resource devoted to gathering and sharing the thanksgivings of the United States and the world. The Square serves as the sponsor or site for a variety of ongoing activities dedicated to revitalizing the spirit of thanksgiving. Thanks-Giving Square was formally established in 1981.
Artist Margaret Cusack designed and created the machine-appliqued needlework—a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, inscribed above with the words "We Give Thanks"—that is featured on the Thanksgiving stamp. The needlework, which is partially quilted and made of old and new fabrics, is reminiscent of American folk art stitchery.
Cusack has been honored for her art by the Society of Illustrators, "Print" magazine and the Art Directors Club. She also designed and created needlework art that appeared on a December 1997 "Time" magazine cover.
This is Cusack's first project for the Postal Service. Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Ariz. is the art director.
On Oct. 21, the Postal Service will also issue 34-cent versions of the previously released Hanukkah stamp and Kwanzaa stamp. Both stamps are also part of the Holiday Celebrations series.
To see an image of the "Thanksgiving" stamp, visit the Collector's Corner in the Postal Store at www.usps.com and click on "Stamp Release Schedule." To see previous releases, select "Index of Stamp Issues."
All current stamps and other philatelic products, as well as a free philatelic catalog, are available by calling toll free 1 800 STAMP-24. A selection of current stamps and gift items are also available online at the Postal Store.
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TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Thanksgiving
Item Number: 551000
Denomination & Type of Issue: 34-cent Special
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Holiday Celebrations
Issue Date & City: October 19, 2001, Dallas, TX 75260
Illustrator: Margaret Cusack, Brooklyn, NY
Designer: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Engraver: N/A
Art Director: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Typographer: Margaret Cusack, Brooklyn, NY
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 Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 69 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored, Type III
Gum Type: Self-adhesive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 453 (Tan)
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.05 x 0.77 in./26.67 x 19.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.19 x 0.91 in./30.23 x 23./11 mm
Pane Size (w x h): 5.95 x 5.46 in./151.13 x 138.68 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "P" followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: © 1999 USPS - Plate Block (9 positions) - Price - Plate Numbers - Barcodes
Catalog Item Number(s): 551020 Block of 4 — $1.36
551030 Block of 10 — $3.40
551040 Full Pane of 20 — $6.80
551061 First Day Cover — $0.55
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 the stamps at their local post, affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them into a larger envelope addressed to: THANKSGIVING STAMP POSTMASTER 401 DFW Turnpike DALLAS, TX 75260-9991.
After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service returns the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by November 19, 2001. Stamp Fulfillment Services also offers the 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 writing to: INFORMATION FULFILLMENT, US POSTAL SERVICE, DEPT 6270, PO BOX 219014, KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014, or by calling 1 800 STAMP-24.
First day covers remain on sale for at least one year after the stamp's issuance.
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For 226 years, the United States Postal Service has been the gateway to the household, binding friends, families and neighbors together. It is an independent federal agency that handles 46 percent of the world's mail volume, with annual revenues of $65 billion. The Postal Service is not funded with taxpayer dollars, but derives its revenues solely from the sale of postage and other products and services it provides. Through its unrivaled service network, the Postal Service delivers money, messages and merchandise daily to 135 million addresses, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world.
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