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Philatelic News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2002
Stamp Release #02-011
POSTAL SERVICE SENDS BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO MILLIONS
Vibrant and festive Happy Birthday stamp dedicated at AmeriStamp Expo
Vibrant and festive Happy Birthday stamp dedicated at AmeriStamp Expo
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Happy Birthday! Joyeux Anniversaire! Hau'oli la hanau! Buon Compleanno! Feliz Cumpleaños! In any language, the words "Happy Birthday" bring a grin of delight to the faces of everyone, everywhere.
In tribute to the exceptional, outstanding, incomparably special occasion of birthdays, the U.S. Postal Service today issued the vibrant and festive Happy Birthday commemorative stamp at the American Philatelic Society's AmeriStamp Expo. The expo, held in the Riverside Convention Center, runs through February 10.
The Happy Birthday stamp is available today at Riverside Post Offices and will be available starting tomorrow at post offices across the country.
"We're extremely proud of the Happy Birthday stamp," said Robert F. Rider, chairman of the presidentially appointed Postal Service Board of Governors, who dedicated the stamp. "The Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee has received many requests over the years to create a Happy Birthday stamp that is available apart from other greeting designs, and we were all pleased that those requests could be accommodated this year."
Joining Rider at the ceremony were Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge; Peter P. McCann, president of the American Philatelic Society (APS); John E. Platt, Postal Service District Manager, San Diego District; Riverside Postmaster Jim E. Owens; Moreno Valley High School Airforce Junior ROTC; and Darnell Lawrence, Riverside City Letter Carrier.
Riverside postal employees concluded the ceremony with a very spirited rendition of the happy birthday song we all know and love that was written in 1893 by two teachers, Mildred J. Hill and Dr. Patty Smith.
Like the two previous Happy Birthday stamps issued in Special Occasions booklets in 1987 and 1988, the 2002 stamp recognizes the tradition of sending special birthday greetings to family and friends, and adds a festive touch to cards and packages.
"U.S. postage stamps have traditionally honored countless numbers of remarkable people, events and places that make our nation great," said APS President McCann. "The APS is delighted to host this ceremony to dedicate the new Happy Birthday stamp that honors us all!"
The 34-cent self-adhesive stamp presents a charming design by Harry Zelenko of New York, N.Y., featuring the words "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" sprinkled over, under, and all around with multi-colored confetti. Terry McCaffrey of Washington, D.C., was the art director.
To see the Happy Birthday stamp, visit the Postal Service Web site at www.usps.com and locate the online version of this press release by clicking on "News and Events" then "Philatelic News."
Current U.S. stamps, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling 1 800 STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of stamps and other philatelic items are available in the Postal Store at http://shop.usps.com.
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TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Happy Birthday
Item Number: 453600
Denomination & Type of Issue: 34-cent Commemorative
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: February 8, Riverside, CA 92507
Designer: Harry Zelenko, New York, NY
Engraver: Southern Graphics System
Art Director: Terrence W. McCaffrey, USPS
Typographer: John Boyd, New York, NY
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: 75 million stamps
Paper Type: Prephosphored, Type I
Gum Type: Self-adhesive
Processed at: AVR, Clinton, SC
Colors: Yellow, Cyan, Magenta, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.410 x 0.840 in./35.814 x 21.336 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.560 x 0.990 in./39.624 x 25.146 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.50 x 5.875 in./165.10 x 149.225 mm
Plate Size: 200 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "V" followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: "© 2001 USPS" · Price · Plate Position Diagram
Plate Numbers · Barcode 453600
Catalog Item Number(s): 453640 Pane of 20 w/plate no. ¾ $6.80
453630 Block of 10 ¾ $3.40
453620 Block of 4 ¾ $1.36
453661 First Day Cover ¾ $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 in a larger envelope addressed to: HAPPY BIRTHDAY STAMP, POSTMASTER, 4150 CHICAGO AVE, RIVERSIDE CA 91507-9991.
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 March 7, 2002. 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, DEPT 6270, US POSTAL SERVICE, 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 has been issued.
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For more than 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 more than $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 137 million addresses, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world.