2013 Emancipation Proclamation Stamp

So as not to group all of the new 2013 stamp issues together into one thread, I decided to create this separate thread on the Emancipation Proclamation Issue.

Here's the stamp image:



The USPS list of philatelic products connected with the issue:

There are 10 philatelic products available for this stamp issue:

470361 First-Day Cover 89 cents
470365 Digital Color Postmark $1.60
470367 Letterpress poster numbered $29.95
470377 Letterpress poster autographed $49.95
470384 Press Sheet with die cut $90
470386 Press Sheet without die cut $90
470391 Ceremony Program $6.95
470392 Stamp Deck Card 95 cents
470394 Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark $1.95
470399 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake will full pane $10.95

The official news release from the USPS:

http://about.usps.com/news/national...pr12_137.htm

And the method in which the new philatelic "posters" were created, noting that they are limited to a production run of 5000, with the first 1000 being available autographed by the graphic designer, with the lowest numbers being offered to the earliest orders placed:

http://about.usps.com/news/EP_STEPS_7_20.pdf

Finally, ordering information for all of these items are listed at this USPS Store link, including the B&W and Digital Color Postmarks to be used for the issue (noting that date and location of issue are subject to change):

https://store.usps.com/store/browse...&categoryId=

Here are the details of the Emancipation Proclamation Stamp, as carried in the December 13, 2012 issue of the Postal Bulletin.

Note that it has also been confirmed the stamp will be issued on January 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. Although this may agree with the historical date of commemoration, the date of issue on the first day of 2013 effectively means that no collectors can purchase the stamp (unless they happen to be in Washington, DC on 1/1/13) nor will it be possible to seek any "unofficial" first day of issue postmarks since virtually all post offices are closed on that day for the New Year's Holiday.



Also note the stamp is being issued by Avery Dennison (AVR) and that a modest 45 million stamps are set to be printed.

I enjoyed the film Lincoln...i don't have a college degree but I am well read in history..my daughter who does have a college degree would not know Petersburg from Virginia Beach. Thought I would show this Emancipation cover .

5000/10000 respectively on the posters is a good low number to create an interest. Canada Post release of the 2013 year of the snake press sheet is limited to 15000 which I though was low for Canada but this issue being so Low for the US should create a quick second/third market.

I don't think it's a very good design for such great
historical event.
The only thing that stands out are the colours.

The 100th Anniversary version had a much more powerful design but was
actually criticized back then for being too crude or something
to that effect.

I remember at the time lots of comments in Linns saying it's
the worst looking stamp ever.

Here's a photo of the upcoming Emancipation Proclamation Stamp as posted on the outdoor PR Newswire Board in Times Square:



I wonder if the US Postal Service pays out big money for this sort of publicity?

Anyway, for those interested in the First Day of Issue Ceremony on New Year's Day, it's limited seating of only 100, with another 200 able to watch the program in an adjacent theater:

I actually like this stamp even though it's a new issue. I'll have to get me a few. Thank you for the information wt1 it will be very helpful for me.

On June 26, a signed copy of the Emancipation Proclamation was sold by Siegel for nearly $2.1 million. Great info in their special catalog
http://www.siegelauctions.com/2012/1025/1025A.pdf

The USPS Store has now posted yet another philatelic related item for the Emancipation Proclamation Issue, that of a framed art print of Abraham Lincoln matted with a pane of the Emancipation Proclamation Stamps ... and (here's the kicker) ... limited to a print run of just 100 at $52.99 ... and currently on backorder at this link:

https://store.usps.com/store/browse...5&categoryId

I wonder how fast that one will sell out ... only two per US State. Now that's really a limited print run!

Today at one of the PO's I frequent, the clerk told me that a woman from the local stamp club hinted that there is something about this issue that will make it special. He said I should buy a whole sheet, but since I am on a tight budget, I only got a half sheet for a plate block, then some to use. (I told him I am saving up for the muscle car issue!)

Anyhoo, does anyone know what this woman was hinting at? Is it the low print run mentioned above?

I doubt the low print run has much to do with it, as the USPS can always print more stamps if they choose to do so. I have a full sheet in front of me and see nothing that would suggest that a full pane of stamps shows anything different than the half pane would. I even spell checked the printed text on the back of the pane and it all looks just fine to me.

I guess we just wait and see what Linn's Stamp News might report if indeed some variety is reported to exist.

Can't seem to locate the microprinting on this issue. Seems like there are a great number of places where it could be hidden. Checked both the black and red portions with no luck. Anyone else found it yet?

The reason you can't find microprinting, is that there is none!

These stamps were all printed by Avery Dennison (AVR) noted by the "V" prefix in the plate numbers. Avery seldom uses microprinting on their stamps.

For those stamps that do use microprinting, it is almost always noted in the Stamp Specifications as published in the Postal Bulletin (excerpted earlier in this thread) and as you can see, no reference to microprinting is included.

wt1, thanks for the info. Should come in handy in the future.

WT1 - something tells me you are correct. There's probably nothing about these that will allow them to be "must buys".

The clerk said to me "well, it is the first issue of the year before the rate change". Well, I said to him, "... they are all Forever stamps, right? SO it really doesn't matter".