Stamp Announcement 16-09: The Moon Stamp

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On February 22, 2016, in Washington, DC, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue The Moon Forever® International rate stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 10 stamps (Item 589200).

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The stamp will go on sale nationwide February 22, 2016.

In 2016, the U.S. Postal Service introduces The Moon, a new Forever international rate stamp. Issued at the $1.20 price, this Global Forever stamp can be used to mail a one-ounce letter to any country to which First-Class Mail International® service is available. As with all Global Forever stamps, this stamp will have a postage value equivalent to the price of a single-piece First-Class Mail International one-ounce machinable letter in effect at the time of use. To distinguish this stamp from other Forever stamps, the shape of the international stamp is round and bears the words “Global Forever.” The Moon features a detailed photograph of the full moon. The image captures the brilliant surface of Earth’s only natural satellite. The selvage features a tree line silhouetted against the night sky. The new Global Forever stamps are being issued in self-adhesive panes of 10. William J. Gicker was the art director. Greg Breeding illustrated the selvage and he designed the stamp with an existing photograph by Beth Swanson.

Initial Supply to Post Offices: Item 589200, The Moon, $1.20 Global Forever International Rate, PSA Pane of 10 Stamps

Stamp Fulfillment Services will not make an automatic push distribution to Post Offices™. Post Offices may begin ordering stamps prior to the FDOI through SFS Web.

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 800-782-6724. 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:

The Moon StampSpecial EventsPO Box 92282Washington, DC 20090-2282

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. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by April 22, 2016.

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 ServiceCatalog RequestPO Box 219014Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products

There are four philatelic products for this stamp issue:

n 589206, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $120.00 (print quantity 1,000).

n 589210*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $14.95.

n 589216*, First-Day Cover, $1.64.

n 589221*, Digital Color Postmark, $2.35.

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.

Issue:

The Moon

Item Number:

589200

Denomination & Type of Issue:

Forever International Rate

Format:

Pane of 10 (1 design)

Series:

N⁄A

Issue Date & City:

February 22, 2016, Washington, DC 20066

Designer:

Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA

Art Director:

William J. Gicker, Washington, DC

Existing Photo:

Beth Swanson

Modeler:

Sandra Lane⁄Michelle Finn

Manufacturing Process:

Offset, Microprint

Printer:

Banknote Corporation of America

Printed at:

Browns Summit, NC

Press Type:

Alprinta 74

Stamps per Pane:

Print Quantity:

75 million stamps

Paper Type:

Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block