USPS - March 8, 2002 - POSTAL SERVICE ANNOUNCES HISTORIC 50-STATE LAUNCH OF 'GREETINGS FROM AMERICA' POSTAGE STAMPS

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

The 34-Cent 'Greetings From America' Stamps - Click To Enlarge

[ Click to Enlarge (High-Res 893KB) ]

WASHINGTON - For the first time in history, a new commemorative postage stamp will be issued on the same day in every state. April 4, 2002, will mark the U.S. Postal Service's release of the Greetings from America stamps.

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:

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.

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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