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Philatelic News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2002
Stamp Release #02-016
POSTAL SERVICE ANNOUNCES HISTORIC 50-STATE LAUNCH OF 'GREETINGS FROM AMERICA' POSTAGE STAMPS
Stamps Kick Off See America Sweepstakes at www.SeeAmerica.org
Stamps Kick Off See America Sweepstakes at www.SeeAmerica.org
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Official first day of issue ceremonies for the Greetings from America stamps will be held April 4 in every state capital city and at noon at the Postage Stamp Mega-Event stamp show, which runs April 4-7 at Show Pier 88, W. 50th St. at 12th Ave., New York, N.Y. The stamps will be available that day at post offices nationwide.
"With these colorful, educational stamps, we're recalling the warm and friendly tradition of postcard and letter greetings exchanged through the mail between friends and family across the miles," said Cathy Caggiano, executive director of Stamp Services for the Postal Service.
"These stamps will also serve as a lasting reminder of the Postal Service's commitment to its role in binding the nation together through universal service at affordable rates, as we initiate plans to transform our business for success both now and in the future," said Caggiano.
The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) is partnering with the Postal Service on the issuance of the Greetings from America stamps by sponsoring a national See America Sweepstakes to "Win Your American Dream Vacation." All 50 states are participating in the program, and 50 one-week vacations-one for each state-will be awarded to 50 lucky winners. Entries will be taken starting March 23 at the TIA Web site at www.SeeAmerica.org.
"We believe the Greetings from America stamps and the See America Sweepstakes will generate tremendous pride in each state. Both programs will help raise awareness of our efforts to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States," said William S. Norman, TIA president and CEO.
The 34-cent, self-adhesive Greetings from America stamps combine flora and fauna with local points of interest into collages that celebrate the unique character of each of the 50 states. The designs are reminiscent of the retro "large letter" postcards popular with tourists in the 1930s and 1940s.
The bright colors and creative designs of the Greetings from America stamps hint at the romance of travel and discovery and convey a nostalgia for all aspects of popular American culture. Text on the backing paper of the 50-stamp pane will list each state's bird, flower, tree and capital city, as well as the date it entered the Union.
The April 4 release of the Greetings from America stamps is the first issuance of a pane of 50 stamps in 10 years. The Wildflowers pane of 50 stamps issued in 1992 continue to hold its place as the second most popular commemorative stamps of all time, behind the Elvis stamp.
The stamps were illustrated by Lonnie Busch of Franklin, N.C., and Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Ariz., was the art director. Busch's art was inspired by the retro "large letter" postcards that were used to advertise cities, states or tourist attractions. Bearing the legend "Greetings from," these retro postcards featured depictions of local scenes inside big letters that spelled out the name of the place or attraction. Some cities are now reproducing large letter postcards.
To see the Greetings from America stamps, visit the Collector's Corner of the Postal Store at www.usps.com/shop and open the Stamp Release Schedule. To check out official licensed products, go to www.greetingsfromamerica.com.
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 current stamps and gift items are available online at the Postal Store.
For more information on the April 4-7 Postage Stamp Mega-Event show, visit the Web sites of the American Stamp Dealers Association at www.asdaonline.com or the American Philatelic Society at www.stamps.org.
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Since 1775, the U.S. Postal Service has connected friends, families, neighbors and businesses by mail. It is an independent federal agency that visits 137 million homes and businesses every day and is the only service provider to deliver to every address in the nation. The Postal Service receives no taxpayer dollars for routine operations, but derives its operating revenues solely from the sale of postage, products and services. With annual revenues of more than $65 billion, it is the world's leading provider of postal services, offering some of the most affordable postage rates in the world. The Postal Service delivers more than 46 percent of the world's mail volume-some 207 billion letters, advertisements, periodicals and packages a year-and serves 7 million customers each day at its 40,000 retail locations nationwide.
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STATE BIRDS, FLOWERS, TREES, CAPITALS AND STATEHOODS
Following state-specific facts are on the back of the Greetings from America stamp pane:
Following state-specific facts are on the back of the Greetings from America stamp pane:
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Alabama Bird: Yellowhammer Flower: Camellia Tree: Southern Longleaf Pine Capital: Montgomery Statehood: Dec. 14, 1819 Alaska Bird: Willow Ptarmigan Flower: Forget-me-not Tree: Sitka Spruce Capital: Juneau Statehood: Jan. 3, 1959 Arizona Bird: Cactus Wren Flower: Saguaro blossom Tree: Paloverde Capital: Phoenix Statehood: Feb. 14, 1912 Arkansas Bird: Mockingbird Flower: Apple blossom Tree: Pine Capital: Little Rock Statehood: June 15, 1836 California Bird: California Quail Flower: California Poppy Tree: California Redwood Capital: Sacramento Statehood: Sept. 9, 1850 Colorado Bird: Lark Bunting Flower: White/Lav. Columbine Tree: Blue Spruce Capital: Denver Statehood: Aug. 1, 1876 Connecticut Bird: Robin Flower: Mountain Laurel Tree: White Oak Capital: Hartford Statehood: Jan. 9, 1788 Delaware Bird: Blue Hen Chicken Flower: Peach blossom Tree: American Holly Capital: Dover Statehood: Dec. 7, 1787 Florida Bird: Mockingbird Flower: Orange blossom Tree: Sabal Palm Capital: Tallahassee Statehood: March 3, 1845 Georgia Bird: Brown Thrasher Flower: Cherokee Rose Tree: Live Oak Capital: Atlanta Statehood: Jan. 2, 1788 Hawaii Bird: Nene Flower: Yellow Hibiscus Tree: Kukui (Candlenut) Capital: Honolulu Statehood: Aug. 21, 1959 Idaho Bird: Mountain Bluebird Flower: Syringa Tree: Western White Pine Capital: Boise Statehood: July 3, 1890 Illinois Bird: Cardinal Flower: Violet Tree: White Oak Capital: Springfield Statehood: Dec. 3, 1818 Indiana Bird: Cardinal Flower: Peony Tree: Tulip Poplar Capital: Indianapolis Statehood: Dec. 11, 1816 Iowa Bird: American Goldfinch Flower: Wild Rose Tree: Oak Capital: Des Moines Statehood: Dec. 28, 1846 Kansas Bird: Western Meadowlark Flower: Wild Native Sunflower Tree: Cottonwood Capital: Topeka Statehood: Jan. 29, 1861 Kentucky Bird: Cardinal Flower: Goldenrod Tree: Tulip Poplar Capital: Frankfort Statehood: June 1, 1792 Louisiana Bird: Brown Pelican Flower: Magnolia Tree: Bald Cypress Capital: Baton Rouge Statehood: April 30, 1812 Maine Bird: Chickadee Flower: White Pine cone/tassel Tree: White Pine Capital: Augusta Statehood: March 15, 1820 Maryland Bird: Baltimore Oriole Flower: Black-eyed Susan Tree: White Oak Capital: Annapolis Statehood: April 28, 1788 Massachusetts Bird: Black-capped Chickadee Flower: Mayflower Tree: American Elm Capital: Boston Statehood: Feb. 6, 1788 Michigan Bird: Robin Flower: Apple Blossom Tree: White Pine Capital: Lansing Statehood: Jan. 26, 1837 Minnesota Bird: Common Loon Flower: Pink/White Lady Slipper Tree: Norway Pine Capital: St. Paul Statehood: May 11, 1858 Mississippi Bird: Mockingbird Flower: Magnolia Tree: Magnolia Capital: Jackson Statehood: Dec. 10, 1817 Missouri Bird: Eastern Bluebird Flower: White Hawthorn Blossom Tree: Flowering Dogwood Capital: Jefferson City Statehood: Aug. 10, 1821 |
Montana Bird: Western Meadowlark Flower: Bitterroot Tree: Ponderosa Pine Capital: Helena Statehood: Nov. 8, 1889 Nebraska Bird: Meadowlark Flower: Goldenrod Tree: Cottonwood Capital: Lincoln Statehood: March 1, 1867 Nevada Bird: Mountain Bluebird Flower: Sagebrush Tree: Single-leaf Piñon and Bristlecone Pine Capital: Carson City Statehood: Oct. 31, 1864 New Hampshire Bird: Purple Finch Flower: Purple Lilac Tree: White Birch Capital: Concord Statehood: June 21, 1788 New Jersey Bird: American Goldfinch Flower: Violet Tree: Red Oak Capital: Trenton Statehood: Dec. 18, 1787 New Mexico Bird: Roadrunner Flower: Yucca Tree: Piñon Pine Capital: Santa Fe Statehood: Jan. 6, 1912 New York Bird: Eastern Bluebird Flower: Rose Tree: Sugar Maple Capital: Albany Statehood: July 26, 1788 North Carolina Bird: Cardinal Flower: Flowering Dogwood Tree: Pine Capital: Raleigh Statehood: Nov. 21, 1789 North Dakota Bird: Western Meadowlark Flower: Wild Prairie Rose Tree: American Elm Capital: Bismarck Statehood: Nov. 2, 1889 Ohio Bird: Cardinal Flower: Red Carnation Tree: Ohio Buckeye Capital: Columbus Statehood: March 1, 1803 Oklahoma Bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Flower: Mistletoe Tree: Redbud Capital: Oklahoma City Statehood: Nov. 16, 1907 Oregon Bird: Western Meadowlark Flower: Oregon Grape Tree: Douglas Fir Capital: Salem Statehood: Feb. 14, 1859 Pennsylvania Bird: Ruffed Grouse Flower: Mountain Laurel Tree: Hemlock Capital: Harrisburg Statehood: Dec. 12, 1787 Rhode Island Bird: Rhode Island Red Flower: Violet Tree: Red Maple Capital: Providence Statehood: May 29, 1790 South Carolina Bird: Carolina Wren Flower: Carolina Jessamine Tree: Palmetto Capital: Columbia Statehood: May 23, 1788 South Dakota Bird: Ring-necked Pheasant Flower: Pasqueflower Tree: Black Hills Spruce Capital: Pierre Statehood: Nov. 2, 1889 Tennessee Bird: Mockingbird Flower: Iris Tree: Tulip Poplar Capital: Nashville Statehood: June 1, 1796 Texas Bird: Mockingbird Flower: Bluebonnet Tree: Pecan Capital: Austin Statehood: Dec. 29, 1845 Utah Bird: California Gull Flower: Sego Lily Tree: Blue Spruce Capital: Salt Lake City Statehood: Jan. 4, 1896 Vermont Bird: Hermit Thrush Flower: Red Clover Tree: Sugar Maple Capital: Montpelier Statehood: March 4, 1791 Virginia Bird: Cardinal Flower: Flowering Dogwood Tree: Flowering Dogwood Capital: Richmond Statehood: June 25, 1788 Washington Bird: American Goldfinch Flower: Coast Rhododendron Tree: Western Hemlock Capital: Olympia Statehood: Nov. 11, 1889 West Virginia Bird: Cardinal Flower: Big Laurel Tree: Sugar Maple Capital: Charleston Statehood: June 20, 1863 Wisconsin Bird: Robin Flower: Wood Violet Tree: Sugar Maple Capital: Madison Statehood: May 29, 1848 Wyoming Bird: Western Meadowlark Flower: Indian Paintbrush Tree: Plains Cottonwood Capital: Cheyenne Statehood: July 10, 1890 |
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Greetings from America
Item Number: 562300
Denomination & Type of Issue: 34-cent Special
Format: Pane of 50 (50 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & Cities: April 4, 2002, the 50 state capitals and New York, NY 10199
Designer: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Art Director: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Typographer: Lonnie Busch, Franklin, NC
Artist: Lonnie Busch, Franklin, NC
Modeler: Donald H. Woo
Manufacturing Process: Gravure
Printer: Sennett Security Products (SSP)
Printed at: American Packaging Corporation, Columbus, WI
Press Type: Rotomec, 3000
Engraver: Southern Graphics
Stamps per Pane: 50
Print Quantity: 200 million stamps
Paper Type: Pre-phosphored, Type II
Gum Type: Self-adhesive
Processed at: Unique Binders, Fredericksburg, VA
Colors: Magenta, Cyan, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.41 x 0.84 in./35.81 x 21.33 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.99 in./39.62 x 25.14 mm
Pane Size (w x h): 8.93 x 11.0 in /226.82 x 279.4 mm
Plate Size: 100 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "S" followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: "© 2001 USPS" - Price - Plate Numbers in all four corners - Plate Position Diagram - Text on reverse side on each stamp with information on state bird, flower, tree, capital, statehood.
Catalog Item Number(s): 562340 Full Pane of 50 w/plate no. - $17.00
562362 First Day Cancellation Full Pane - $19.00
562384 Uncut Press Sheet - $34.00
How to Order First Day Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first day of issue cancels by mail. Customers requesting the New York, N.Y., cancel, may purchase the 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:
GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP
POSTMASTER
421 8TH AVE RM 2029B
NEW YORK NY 10199-9991
Customers requesting capital city first day of issue cancels from a particular state should mail their covers to the Postmaster designated for that state (see list below).
Customers requesting multiple cancellations (two or more of the 51 different first day of issue cancels) should send their request to the New York, N.Y., address above with specific instructions as to how they wish their stamps canceled. Without specific instructions, the New York NY cancellation will be applied.
After applying the first day of issue cancel, the Postal Service returns the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for this service. All orders must be postmarked by June 4, 2002.
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GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 6701 WINTON BLOUNT BLVD MONTGOMERY AL 36119-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 9491 VINTAGE BLVD JUNEAU AK 99501-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 4949 E VAN BUREN ST PHOENIX AZ 85026-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 600 E CAPITOL AVE LITTLE ROCK AR 72202-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 2000 ROYAL OAKS DRIVE SACRAMENTO CA 95813-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 951 20TH ST DENVER CO 80202-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 141 WESTON ST HARTFORD CT 06101-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 55 THE PLAZA DOVER DE 19901-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 2800 S ADAMS ST TALLAHASSEE FL 32301-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 3900 CROWN ROAD ATLANTA GA 30304-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 3600 AOLELE ST HONOLULU HI 96820-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 770 S 13TH ST BOISE ID 83708-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 2105 E COOK ST SPRINGFIELD IL 62703-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 125 W SOUTH ST INDIANAPOLIS IN 46206-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1165 2ND AVE DES MOINES IA 50318-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 424 SOUTH KANSAS AVE TOPEKA KS 66603-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1210 WILKINSON BLVD FRANKFORT KY 40601-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER PO BOX 262100 BATON ROUGE LA 70826-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 40 WESTERN AVE AUGUSTA ME 04330-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1 CHURCH CIRCLE ANNAPOLIS MD 21401-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 25 DORCHESTER AVE RM 4009 BOSTON MA 02205-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP USPS MARKETING (for Lansing MI) PO BOX 999631 GRAND RAPIDS MI 49599-9631 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER PO BOX 645001 ST PAUL MN 55164-5001 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER MISSISSIPPI STATION PO BOX 332 JACKSON MS 39205-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 131 W HIGH ST JEFFERSON CITY MO 65101-9991 |
GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 2300 N HARRIS ST HELENA MT 59601-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 700 R ST LINCOLN NE 68501-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1111 S ROOP ST CARSON CITY NV 89701-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 12 LAUDON ROAD CONCORD NH 02301-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 20 S MONTGOMERY ST TRENTON NJ 08608-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1135 BROADWAY BLVD NE ALBUQUERQUE NM 87101-9610 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER PO BOX 739 ALBANY, NY 12201-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 311 NEW BURN AVE RALEIGH NC 27611-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 220 E ROSSER AVE BISMARCK ND 58501-3867 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 850 TWIN RIVERS DRIVE COLUMBUS OH 43216-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 320 SW 5th Street OKLAHOMA CITY OK 73125-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1050 25TH ST SALEM OR 97301-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1425 CROOKED HILL ROAD HARRISBURG PA 17106-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 24 CORLISS ST PROVIDENCE RI 02904-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1601 ASSEMBLY ST COLUMBIA SC 29201-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 225 S PIERRE ST PIERRE SD 57105-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 525 ROYAL PARKWAY NASHVILLE TN 37230-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 510 GUADALUPE STRET AUSTIN TX 78701-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1760 W 2100 S SALT LAKE CITY UT 84199-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 87 STATE ST MONTPELIER VT 05602-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1801 BROOK ROAD RICHMOND VA 23232-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 900 JEFFERSON ST SE OLYMPIA WA 98501-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 1002 LEE ST E CHARLESTON WV 25301-9991 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER PO BOX 7990 MADISON WI 53707-7990 GREETINGS FROM AMERICA STAMP POSTMASTER 4800 CONVERSE AVE. CHEYENNE WY 82009-9991 |
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