Stamp Announcement 15-23: Penguins Stamp

USPS supplied artwork

 
<22¢> Penguins
(Sennett Security Products)
Self Adhesive Coils of 100
Scott # 4990 Plate # S1111
Series USPS - N/A ~ PNC3 - Flora and Fauna
Issue Date & City June 1, 2015, Kansas City, MO 64108
Nationwide Sale June 1, 2015
Artist Nancy Stahl, New York, NY
Designer Carl T. Herman, Carlsbad, CA
Typographer Carl T. Herman, Carlsbad, CA
Art Director Carl T. Herman, Carlsbad, CA
Modeler Donald Woo
To Press / Initial Quantity Spring 2015 / 200 Million stamps
Coil Size 100
Printer Banknote Corporation of America / SSP
Press Type Alprinta 74
Process Offset with "USPS" Microprinting
Where Printed Browns Summit, SC
Where Processed Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit, NC
Plate Size & Interval 775 stamps per revolution / plate # every 31 stamps.
Paper Type Phosphor Tagged
Adhesive Type Self Adhesive
Tagging Type Overall
Die Cut Gauge 10.9 Vertically ???
Colors Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Image Size (w x h) 0.73 x 0.84 in. / 18.54 x 21.33 mm
Overall Size (w x h) 0.87 x 0.98 in. / 22.09 x 24.89 mm
Back Numbers None
Earliest Known Use June 1, 2015
USPS Order Numbers 786204 Full Coil of 100 - $22.00
786216 First Day Cover - Penguin plus a random Winter Fun stamp - $1.15
Availability  
Official Announcement

On June 1, 2015, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Penguins additional ounce rate stamp, (Non-denominated priced at 22 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 100 stamps (Item 786200) and also a pane of 20 stamps (Item 117700).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide June 1, 2015.

This stamp from the U.S. Postal Service pays tribute to the majestic emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri). Largest of the penguin species, the emperor stands over three feet tall and can weigh more than 80 pounds. Emperor penguins dive beyond 1,500 feet — deeper than any other bird. The stamp art is a stylized drawing of a pair of emperor penguins on a cool green background. The pop of orange and yellow on the birds’ beaks and ear patches lends a regal look to the aptly named emperors. Art director Carl Herrman designed the stamp, which was illustrated by Nancy Stahl. The words “ADDITIONAL OUNCE” on this stamp indicate its usage value. Like a Forever® stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the rate printed on it. The initial price and value for this stamp is 22 cents.

To learn more about the stories behind the stamps, visit http://uspsstamps.com. To learn more about the stories behind the stamps, visit http://uspsstamps.com.

Note The date, 2015, is in the upper right hand corner of the stamp.
Microprinting "USPS" is microprinted in ????.
Other  

Distribution: Item 786200, Penguins Additional Ounce Rate (Non-denominated priced at 22 cents) PSA Coil of 100 Stamps

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™. Post Offices may begin ordering stamps on May 25, 2015, through SFS Web.

Distribution: Item 117700, Penguins Additional Ounce Rate (Non-denominated priced at 22 cents) PSA Pane of 20 Stamps

Stamp Fulfillment Services will make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately 30 days of sales. Distribution quantities for the automatic push distribution are available by logging on to SFS Web at https://sfsweb.usps.gov. Post Offices may begin ordering stamps on May 25, 2015, through SFS Web. However, offices should check the website noted above to determine the amount they will receive on their automatic push distribution.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at http://www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. 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:

22¢ Penguins Stamp
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-0001

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 up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers have to pay five cents each. All orders must be postmarked by July 31, 2015.

How to Order First-Day Covers

The Postal Service 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, online at http://www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:

U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products

There are two philatelic products for the Penguins PSA coil of 100 stamps issue:

786216*, First-Day Cover, (plus 1 Winter Fun Random), $1.15.
786221*, Digital Color Postmark (plus 1 Winter Fun Random), $1.86.

There are seven philatelic products for the Penguins pane of 20 stamps issue:

117706, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $44.00 (print quantity 250).
117708, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $44.00 (print quantity 500).
117710*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $6.95.
117716*, First-Day Cover, (plus 1 Winter Fun random), $1.15.
117721*, Digital Color Postmark, (plus 1 Winter Fun random), $1.86.
117731*, Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
117732*, Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark, (plus 1 Winter Fun random), $2.21.

Items with an asterisk (*) will use the 128 barcode from Stamp Fulfillment Services. All other philatelic products will continue to use barcode series A, with the exception of the Yearbook and the Guide Book.