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Philatelic News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2002
Stamp Release #02-014
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT TO BE HONORED WITH POSTAGE STAMP
USMA Bicentennial Stamp to be Issued on Founder's Day
USMA Bicentennial Stamp to be Issued on Founder's Day
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Postal Service will issue a new commemorative postage stamp saluting the establishment of the U.S. Military Academy. The stamp will be dedicated March 16 during the Academy's Founder's Day celebration at a first day of issue ceremony at West Point, NY.The dedication ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. (ET) in the Academy's, Eisenhower Hall. It is free and open to the public. The 34-cent self-adhesive stamp will be available at post offices nationwide beginning March 17.
"It is an honor to serve as the dedicating official for the U.S. Military Academy stamp," said Thomas G. Day, Postal Service Vice President, Engineering and the dedicating official. "Other than my parents, nothing has had a greater influence on my life than my time as a cadet at West Point. Returning to the academy on the 200th anniversary of its founding will be a distinct pleasure."
Joining Day at the ceremony will be Colonel Pat Kane, Director of the U.S. Military Academy bicentennial office. "This stamp is a wonderful tribute to our bicentennial. It gives all Americans the opportunity to share in our celebration and to have their own place of history that commemorates West Point and its 200 years of timeless leadership," said Colonel Pane, who will be the master of ceremonies. Immediately following the stamp dedication, the U.S. Mint will unveil a bicentennial coin.
This stamp and coin dedication is just one of many activities planned during this special day of observance. The non-inclusive invitation list includes former superintendents, commandants and deans, Thayer Award recipients and distinguished graduates. The academy leadership expects thousands to answer the call, making this celebration one of the largest in the history of the institution.
Thomas Jefferson signed legislation establishing a military academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1802. It was located at the site of a critical defensive position during the Revolutionary War. Holding West Point prevented the British from gaining control of the vital Hudson River Valley and dividing the colonies in two. Because of the importance of this location, George Washington declared West Point to be the key to the continent.
Soon after its establishment, an academic program based on mathematics, science and engineering was begun and the academy became the first engineering school in the nation. In the 20th century, graduates such as John J. Pershing in World War I and Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar N. Bradley, George S. Patton and Douglas MacArthur in World War II and Korea, have been followed by H. Norman Schwarzkopf in Desert Storm and Wesley K. Clark in the Balkans.
After several decades Congress passed legislation giving the academy a national representation, enabling individuals from all walks of life and all parts of the country to come to the academy. In the 20th century, the geographical diversity was expanded by a social diversity with the admission of African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics and women to the Corps of Cadets. The academy is proud of the record of its past graduates and the young men and women who comprise the 4,000-strong Corps of Cadets today.
After two centuries of service, the academy's objective is largely unchanged. It remains to prepare each graduate through academic, military and physical education and development, for a career as an officer in the United States Army and a lifetime of selfless service to the nation.
Designed by Derry Noyes of Washington, D.C., the stamp features a color photograph of the West Point coat of arms. The coat of arms features the American bald eagle atop the United States shield. In its talons the eagle holds gold arrows and branches of laurel leaves. On the shield is a helmet of Pallas Athenao, the Greek goddess of wisdom, learning and warfare, as well as a Greek sword, a classical symbol of military power. A scroll above the shield contains on one side the West Point motto: Duty, Honor, Country and on the other side the name West Point, the founding year 1802 in roman numerals (MDCCC II) and the abbreviation U.S.M.A.
To see the U.S. Military Academy stamp, and other 2002 issues, go to the Stamp Release Schedule located in the Collector's Corner of the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop.
Images of many past and future stamp issues can be found in the Stamp Issues section of the Collector's Corner.
All current stamps and other philatelic products, as well as a free comprehensive catalog, are available by calling toll free 1 800 STAMP-24. In addition, a selection of stamps and other philatelic items are available online at the Postal Store.
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TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: United States Military Academy
Item Number: 452700
Denomination & Type of Issue: 34-cent Commemorative
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: March 16, 2002, West Point, NY 10996
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Photographer: Ted Spiegel, Kingston, NY
Modeler: Donald H. Woo
Manufacturing Process: Gravure
Engraver: Armotek Industries
Printer: Sennett Security Products (SSP)
Printed at: American Packaging Corporation, Columbus, WI
Press Type: Rotomec, 3000
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 55 million stamps
Paper Type: Pre-phosphored, Type II
Gum Type: Self-adhesive
Processed at: Unique Binders, Fredericksburg, VA
Colors: Grey, Magenta, Yellow, Cyan, Metallic Gold, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.075 x 1.41 in./27.30 x 35.81 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.56 in./ x 31.11 x 39.62 mm
Pane Size (w x h): 7.26 x 7.125 in./184.40 x 180.97 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "S" followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings: "© 2001 USPS" · Price · Plate Numbers in four corners · Plate Position Diagram · UPC code on back
Catalog Item Number(s): 452720 Block of 4 - $1.36
452730 Block of 10 - $3.40
452740 Full Pane of 20 - $6.80
452761 First Day Cancellation - $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 new stamps at their local Post Office, by telephone at 1 800 STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at 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: UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY COMMEMORATIVE STAMP, POSTMASTER, 634 SWIFT RD, WEST POINT NY 10996-9991.
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 April 15, 2002.
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 a least one year after the stamp has been issued.
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For more than 225 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 42 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.