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Philatelic News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2002
Stamp Release #02-033
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Honored On Stamped Postal Card
CARLSBAD, N.M. - The U.S. Postal Service today honored Carlsbad Caverns National Park with the issuance of a 23-cent stamped postal card. The Carlsbad Caverns stamped postal card was dedicated at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park Visitors Center today at 10 a.m., at a first day of issue ceremony. The 23-cent stamped postal card is available at all post offices nationwide.
"The Postal Service is very pleased to recognize this historic park on a stamped card," said Eric Martinez, U.S. Postal Service District Manager, Albuquerque District, who dedicated the stamped card.
Joining Martinez was Carlsbad's postmaster, Michael Veilleux who served as master of ceremonies for the event. Other participants were Michael O. Holm, superintendent, Carlsbad Caverns National Park; Joy Jenkins, assistant vice president, Carlsbad National Bank; and Gale A. Norton, secretary, United States Department of the Interior.
The Carlsbad Caverns National Park was created to preserve Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within the Guadalupe Mountains. Carlsbad Cave National Monument was established on Oct. 25, 1923, and became a National Park on May 14, 1930. On Dec. 6, 1995, the cavern was designated a World Heritage Site.
It is a natural scenic wonder which has awed visitors for more than 1,000 years. The fascination of the cave began with early Native Americans who ventured into the cavern seeking shelter. The enchantment continues today, as nearly 500,000 visitors enjoy the park each year. Carlsbad Caverns National Park has more than 100 known caves and covers 46,766 acres, with 33,125 acres designated as wilderness.
The park's most prominent feature is Carlsbad Cavern, which contains one of the world's largest underground chambers and countless magnificent geological formations, some of which are easily accessible along a three-mile paved underground trail. Lechuguilla Cave, which is not only the deepest limestone cave in the United States but also the third longest, is also located within the park.
Another major attraction at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is the colony of migratory Mexican free-tailed bats that make their summer home in a passageway near the natural entrance to Carlsbad Cavern. From spring until autumn, hundreds of thousands of bats swarm out of the cave at nightfall to feed on insects. Visitors gather to marvel at the dramatic exodus which can last from 20 minutes to two hours.
The computer-generated illustration of Carlsbad Caverns featured on the stamped card was by Tom Engeman of Brunswick, Md. Carl Herrman, of Carlsbad, Calif., was the designer and art director.
To see the stamped card, go to www.usps.com/shop. Under Collector's Corner, click on Release Schedule, or click on Stamp Issues to see images of many past and future stamps and stationery.
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.
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TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Carlsbad Caverns
Item Number: 221100
Denomination & Type of Issue: 23-cent Stamped Card
Format: Single Cut Cards
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 7, 2002, Carlsbad, NM 88220
Illustrator: Tom Engeman, Brunswick, MD
Designer: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Art Director: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Typographer: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Modeler: N/A
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Government Printing Office (GPO)
Printed at: GPO, Washington, DC
Press Type: Offset
Print Quantity: 70 million stamped cards
Paper Type: 22-lb. bright white
Adhesive Type: N/A
Processed at: GPO, Washington, DC
Colors: Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Black
Image Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.25 x 1.40 in./31.78 x 35.56 mm
Card Size (w x h): 5.5 x 3.5 in./139.50 x 88.83 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): N/A
Plate Size: N/A
Plate Numbers: N/A
Marginal Markings: "© USPS 2002 " Recycled logo followed by "recycled"
Catalog Item Number(s): 221140 Single Stamped Card - $0.25
221161 First Day Cover -$0.35
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Carlsbad Caverns
Item Number: 221200
Denomination & Type of Issue: 23-cent Stamped Card
Format: Double Cut Reply Cards
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 7, 2002, Carlsbad, NM 88220
Illustrator: Tom Engeman, Brunswick, MD
Designer: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Art Director: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Typographer: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Modeler: N/A
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Government Printing Office (GPO)
Printed at: GPO, Washington, DC
Press Type: Offset
Print Quantity: 4 million stamped cards
Paper Type: 22-lb. bright white
Adhesive Type: N/A
Processed at: GPO, Washington, DC
Colors: Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Black
Image Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.25 x 1.40 in./31.78 x 35.56 mm
Card Size (w x h): 5.5 x 3.5 in./139.70 x 88.90 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): N/A
Plate Size: N/A
Plate Numbers: N/A
Marginal Markings: "© USPS 2002 " Recycled logo followed by "recycled"
Catalog Item Number(s): 221240 Single Stamped Reply Card - $0.50
221261 First Day Cover - $0.60
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Carlsbad Caverns
Item Number: 221300
Denomination & Type of Issue: 23-cent Stamped Card
Format: Sheet of 40 Cards
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 7, 2002, Carlsbad, NM 88220
Illustrator: Tom Engeman, Brunswick, MD
Designer: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Art Director: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Typographer: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Modeler: N/A
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Government Printing Office (GPO)
Printed at: GPO, Washington, DC
Press Type: Offset
Print Quantity: 20 million stamped cards
Paper Type: 22-lb. bright white
Adhesive Type: N/A
Processed at: GPO, Washington, DC
Colors: Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Black
Image Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.25x 1.40 in./31.78 x 35.56 mm
Card Size (w x h): 5.5 x 3.5 in./139.70 x 88.90 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): N/A
Plate Size: N/A
Plate Numbers: N/A
Marginal Markings: "© USPS 2002 " Recycled logo followed by "recycled"
Catalog Item Number(s): N/A
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Issue: Carlsbad Caverns
Item Number: 222000
Denomination & Type of Issue: 23-cent Stamped Card
Format: Banded Cards
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 7, 2002, Carlsbad, NM 88220
Illustrator: Tom Engeman, Brunswick, MD
Designer: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Art Director: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Typographer: Carl Herrman, Carlsbad, CA
Modeler: N/A
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Government Printing Office (GPO)
Printed at: GPO, Washington, DC
Press Type: Offset
Print Quantity: 4 million stamped cards
Paper Type: 22-lb. bright white
Adhesive Type: N/A
Processed at: GPO, Washington, DC
Colors: Yellow, Magenta, Cyan, Black
Image Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.25 x 1.40 in./31.78 x 3.56 mm
Card Size (w x h): 5.5 x 3.5 in./139.70 x 88.90 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): N/A
Plate Size: N/A
Plate Numbers: N/A
Marginal Markings: "© USPS 2002 " Recycled logo followed by "recycled"
Catalog Item Number(s): N/A
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 cards 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 address the cards (to themselves or others) and place them in a large envelope addressed to: CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK STAMPED CARD, POSTMASTER, 301 N. CANYON STREET, CARLSBAD, NM 88220-9998. After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the cards through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by July 8, 2002. Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service 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 at least 1 year after the stamped card's issuance.
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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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