Philatelic News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2002
Stamp Release #02-018
U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT HONORED WITH NEW POSTAGE STAMP
USMA Bicentennial Stamp Issued on Founder's Day
WEST POINT, N.Y. - The U.S. Postal Service today issued a new commemorative postage stamp saluting the establishment of the U.S. Military Academy and commemorating West Point's bicentennial.
The first day of issue ceremony for the U. S. Military Academy Stamp was held in the Academy's Eisenhower Hall. The 34-cent self-adhesive postage stamp is available today at West Point New York Post Offices and will be available starting tomorrow at post offices nationwide.
"As a veteran and a proud citizen of this great nation, I am honored to represent the United States Postal Service as we celebrate the bicentennial anniversary of the founding of the Untied States Military Academy," said John F. Walsh, presidentially appointed member of the Postal Service Board of Governors, who dedicated the stamp."
"As the second oldest federal agency, we are proud to pay tribute to West Point with the issuance of a commemorative stamp. The stamp is a way for Americans to share in the rich history of West Point and its 200 years of courageous and dedicated leadership," he said.
Among those joining Walsh at the ceremony were Thomas G. Day, Postal Service Vice President of Engineering, and also a West Point graduate, and Representative Susan Kelly (R-NY).
"Like all cadets of West Point, I was trained in the art of war to preserve peace. And, that training has served me well. It has helped me in my unexpected defense role with the United States Postal Service in our war against bioterrorism," said Day.
"We created here at West Point the leaders of the nation. Ordinary people who are fighting the war now-ordinary people who send their sons and daughters here to learn the qualities of leadership to keep our nation safe," said Kelly.
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 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: Unites 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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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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