Breast Cancer Research Semipostal Stamp Reprint For 2014

Linn's Stamp News is reporting some details for a late-September 2014 reprint of the Breast Cancer Research Seimpostal Stamp. Of particular interest is that the printer is changed, the printing method is changed and the date will be changed to 2014. Also, Press Sheets (with and without die cuts) will be available for the reprint as well.

http://linns.com/news/us-stamps/787...th-2014-date

Great. A new major catalog number.

The newly issued 2014 Breast Cancer Semi-Postal Stamp colors are not as bright, deep & intense as the original 1998 & 2000 reprint. The colors are sort of washed out; like a slight Monet effect. The changes in ink colors, paper & printing presses really sets this stamp apart from the original.



Issue: Breast Cancer Research Stamp

Issue Date: 2014, ABOVE LEFT IMAGE
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist: Whitney Sherman, Baltimore, MD
Engraver: N/A
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20 million stamps
Paper Type: Raflatac, USPS-P-1238
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: PMS1365 Yellow, PMS322 Light Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 7.24 in./150.36 x 183.90 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.72 x 23.68 in./ 551.69 x 601.47 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "S" followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back: © 1998 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (553000) Breast Cancer proceeds explanation • Promotional text
*********************************************
Issue Date: 1998 ABOVE RIGHT IMAGE
Illustrator: Whitney Sherman, Baltimore, MD
Designer: Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Engraver: North American Roto
Modeler: Avery Dennison SPD
Manufacturing Process: Gravure
Printer: Avery Dennison (AVR)
Printed at: AVR, Clinton, SC
Press Type: Dia Nippon Kiko
Print Quantity: 200 million stamps
Paper Type: Pre-phosphored Type II
Gum Type: Self-adhesive
Processed at: AVR, Clinton, SC
Colors (PMS Colors): Green, copper, yellow, magenta, cyan, black
Image Area: 0.840 x 1.410 in./21.336 x 35814mm
Overall Size: 0.990 x 1.560 in./25.146 x 39.624mm
Full Pane Size: 5.900 x 7.250 in./149.86 x 184.15mm
Plate Size: 160 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "V" followed by six single digits
Marginal Markings: "#63193; USPS 1998"

Thus the reason why the 2014 reprint warranted a new Scott number (B5).

Also note that in addition to CYMB, the 1998 variety of the stamp includes colors "green" and "copper"; whereas the 2014 variety does not mention those colors, but includes the color "light blue".

Correct me if I am wrong but wouldn't this then be the only semi-postal issued as a Press Sheet? Interesting. Wonder what the run quantity will be?

Doug

You are correct that the Breast Cancer Research Stamp Reprint represents the first semipostal stamp issued in Press Sheet format.

According to the Postal Bulletin, the Press Sheets (with die cuts) are limited to a print quantity of 1000 Press Sheets; the Press Sheets (without die cuts) are limited to a print quantity of 1500 Press Sheets.

Thought that was the case. Thanks wt1.

Doug

Since October 23 is Wear It Pink Day and October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month I bought five sheets of B1 today at my post office. They are the 1998 printing in blue USPS packaging as pictured but interesting the back label says 20 stamps for $9 which based on Scott footnotes suggests they were barcoded sometime between 3/23/2002 and 3/14/2007 which is when the rate increased to $11 per sheet.

Today's sheets rang up at $12 so the current surcharge is 11 cents. Looking at the Scott catalog the surcharge since 1998 has been anywhere from 6 cents to 14 cents. I wonder how the surcharge varies and even though 11 cents is stronger than 6 cents it is not as strong as the 14 cents in effect from 2007 to some more current date. Sorry I am referencing the 2012 Scott issue.

Hope everyone gets out there and buys and uses some of these stamps!

I never did understand how this all works. (To me, it's not really a semi-postal unless marked as such.) What value does this stamp above hold if used postally today?

Technically, the postage value of the stamp is the value it had on the date of purchase, i.e. the first class rate in effect on that date. So stamps bought back in 1998 are only worth 32c in postage.

Practically speaking, there's no way for the USPS to know when a stamp was bought, so you're on the honor system.