2017 USPS Issues... News? Thoughts? Opinions?

I use new USPS stamps for all my mailings (I'm an ebay seller).

Overall I've been pleased with the quality of the new issues except that issues like the recent JFK issue that has die cut strips separating the stamps so that when you peel them off, sometimes the dividing piece pulls off as well and sticks to an adjacent stamp and can cause damage removing it.

I prefer the stamps with the die cut perforations next to each other for use but understand that it is easier for collectors to divide the stamps into individuals for mounting when there is a strip beteen the stamps (hopefully I've described this well enough).

I hsve learned to separate individual mint stamps from the diecut types perforated adjacent to each other without taking them off the backing or cutting the perforations. If you fold the sheet at the die cut and use a sharp knife on the backside, cutting it like you would open a letter, the stamps separate nicely and cleanly if you are careful.

Yes, you just need to be careful when separating some self-adhesives. I had the most problem recently with some sheets like the Medals of Honor and the Soda Fountain favorites. One key is folding it properly to create the crease for the knife to follow.

Just noticed something... the Strawberry FDC is postmarked ACTON MA, but the ceremony was in BOXBOROUGH MA!!

Does anyone have any news about the thermo-solar eclipse stamps?

This was in the 5/11 Postal Bulletin.

Stamp Announcement 17-27: Total Eclipse of the Sun Stamp



©2017 USPS
On June 20, 2017, in Laramie, WY, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 16 stamps (Item 475300). The $7.84 Total Eclipse of the Sun pane of 16 stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually.

The stamps will go on sale nationwide June 20, 2017.

On August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible to millions of Americans as it sweeps a narrow path across parts of the entire country. The U.S. Postal Service anticipates this rare event with a stamp celebrating the majesty of total solar eclipses. A total eclipse of the Sun occurs when the Moon completely blocks the visible solar disk from view, casting a shadow on the Earth. The image on the Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp shows a total solar eclipse that was seen over Jalu, Libya, in 2006.

The Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp is the first U.S. stamp to use thermochromic ink, which reacts to the heat of your touch. Placing your finger over the black disc on the stamp causes the ink to change from black to clear to reveal an underlying image of the moon. The image reverts back to the black disc once it cools. The back of the stamp pane shows a map of the eclipse path. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with existing photographs taken by astrophysicist Fred Espenak.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 475300, $7.84 Total Eclipse of the Sun (Forever priced at 49 cents) Commemorative PSA Pane of 16 Stamps

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:
475306, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $62.72.
475310*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $9.95.
475316*, First-Day Cover, $0.93.
475321*, Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
475329, Protective Sleeve, $0.25.
475330*, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
475333*, American Commemorative Collectible Panel, $10.95.

I have been to a couple of FDOI at the Boxborough Show and they have had the Acton Postmark as well. Curious. (Boxborough 01719 - Acton 10720) Also curious that the ceremony program did not have a First Day Cancel, & that you needed to purchase the stamp (with an additional Forever Stamp to make up the correct postage), apply them to the Program, & the USPS would then apply the First Day Cancel. This was the first such event I attended where the Ceremony Program did not have the cancelled FDOI item franking.

Stamp Announcement 17-26: Have a Ball! Stamps



©2016 USPS

On June 14, 2017, in Hartford, WI, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Have a Ball! stamps (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in eight designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 16 stamps (Item 474900). The Have a Ball! $7.84 pane of 16 stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually.

The stamps will go on sale nationwide June 14, 2017.

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates our nation's passion for athletics with the Have a Ball! stamps. The issuance features colorful illustrations of eight different sports balls:
A baseball,
A basketball,
A football,
A golf ball,
A kickball,
A soccer ball,
A tennis ball, and
A volleyball.

The round Have a Ball! stamps feature a special coating applied to selected areas of the stamps during the printing process to give them a textured feel. Mike Ryan designed the stamps and Greg Breeding served as the art director of the project. Daniel Nyari created the colorful, stylized stamp art.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 474900, $7.84 Have a Ball! (Forever priced at 49 cents) Commemorative PSA Pane of 16 Stamps

Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:
474906, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $62.72.
474910*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (set of 8), $21.95.
474916*, First-Day Cover (set of 8), $7.44.
474921*, Digital Color Postmark (set of 8), $13.12.
474924*, Framed Art, $39.95.
474930*, Ceremony Envelope**, $4.95.
474933*, Panel, $10.95.

Issue: Have a Ball! Stamp
Item Number: 474900
Denomination & Type of Issue: Forever, First-Class Mail®
Format: Pane of 16 (8 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 14, 2017, Hartford, WI 53027
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Designer: Mike Ryan, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Artist: Daniel Nyari, Long Island City, NY
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 80,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Spot Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS Cool Gray #7
Stamp Orientation: Round
Image Area (w x h): 1.08 x 1.08 in/27.43 x 27.43 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.27 x 1.27 in/32.26 x 32.26 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.25 x 6.25 in/158.75 x 158.75 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 25.25 x 12.50 in/641.35 x 317.50 mm
Plate Size: 56 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "P" followed by five (5) digits
Marginal Markings: Back:
©2016 USPS • USPS Logo • two barcodes (474900) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

Recent Scott Catalog Numbers for new issues
5191 F(70¢) Robert Panara, Deaf Studies
5192-5197 F(49¢) Delicioso (Latin American Dishes) #5197a
5192 F(49¢) Delicioso: Tamales
5193 F(49¢) Delicioso: Flan
5194 F(49¢) Delicioso: Sancocho
5195 F(49¢) Delicioso: Empanadas
5196 F(49¢) Delicioso: Chile Relleno
5197 F(49¢) Delicioso: Ceviche
5197a F(49¢) Delicioso block of 6 #5192-5197
5197b F(49¢) Delicioso booklet of 20 5192-5197
5198 F($1.00) Green Succulent
5199 F(49¢) Celebration Boutonniere
5200 F(70¢) Celebration Corsage

Eclipse details

The technical details table for the Total Eclipse of the Sun stamp is shown here.

Issue: Total Eclipse of the Sun Stamp
Item Number: 475300
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 16 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 20, 2017, Laramie, WY 82072
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Existing Photos: Fred Espenak
Modeler: Sandra Lane/Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74, ABG Digicon Series 2
Stamps per Pane: 16
Print Quantity: 60 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Overall
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Thermochromic/Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.085 x 1.085 in./27.56 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.225 x 1.225 in./31.12 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.00 x 6.00 in./152.40 x 152.40 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 12.00 x 24.50 in./304.8 x 622.30 mm
Plate Size: 128 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "B" followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: Front:
Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: © 2017 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (475300) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • 1 map, "Track of the Total Solar Eclipse Across the United States, August 21, 2017" • Promotional text

Stamp Announcement 17-29: Andrew Wyeth Stamps



© 2016 USPS

On July 12, 2017, in Chadds Ford, PA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Andrew Wyeth stamps (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in twelve designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 12 stamps (Item 475000).

The stamps will go on sale nationwide July 12, 2017.

This pane of stamps celebrates the centennial of the birth of Andrew Wyeth (1917–2009), one of the most prominent American artists of the 20th century. Working in a realistic style that defied artistic trends, Wyeth created haunting and enigmatic paintings based largely on people and places in his life, a body of work that continues to resist easy or comfortable interpretation. This issuance includes 12 stamps that feature a detail of a different Andrew Wyeth painting. The paintings are: "Wind from the Sea" (1947), "Big Room" (1988), "Christina's World" (1948), "Alvaro and Christina" (1968), "Frostbitten" (1962), "Sailor's Valentine" (1985), "Soaring" (1942–1950), "North Light" (1984), "Spring Fed" (1967), "The Carry" (2003), "Young Bull" (1960), and "My Studio" (1974). The selvage shows a photograph of Wyeth from the 1930s. Art director Derry Noyes designed the pane.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 475000, $5.88 Andrew Wyeth (Forever priced at 49 cents) Commemorative PSA Pane of 12 Stamps


Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:
475006, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $52.92.
475010*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (2 panes), $13.95.
475016*, First-Day Cover (set of 12), $11.16.
475021*, Digital Color Postmark (set of 12), $19.68.
475024*, Framed Art, $39.95.
475030*, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
475033*, Panel, $17.95.

Issue: Andrew Wyeth Stamps
Item Number: 475000
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail, Forever
Format: Pane of 12 (12 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 12, 2017, Chadds Ford, PA 19317
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 12
Print Quantity: 25,200,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 1.085 in/36.07 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 1.225 in/39.62 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.12 x 6.72 in/206.25 x 170.69 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 20.41 x 25.24 in/518.41 x 640.97 mm
Plate Size: 108 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "P" followed by four (4) digits
Marginal Markings: Front:
Plate number in two locations • Header: ANDREW WYETH – artist 1917-2009
Back: ©2016 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (475000) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

I picked up a sheet of those "Have a ball" stamps this afternoon - pretty cool!

Love the textures on them.

You can feel the dimples of the golf ball and the laces of the baseball

Stamp Announcement 17-30: Sharks Stamps



© 2016 USPS

On July 26, 2017, in Newport, KY, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Sharks stamps (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in five designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 474500). The Sharks $9.80 pane of 20 stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually. The stamps will go on sale nationwide July 26, 2017.

This issuance celebrates the wonder of sharks with a pane of 20 stamps featuring realistic images of five species that inhabit American waters:
* The mako shark, represented here by a shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus);
* The whale shark (Rhincodon typus);
* The thresher shark, here a pelagic thresher (Alopias pelagicus);
* The hammerhead shark, this one a scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini); and
* The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias).

On the selvage, the stamp image of the great white shark is repeated at the top of the pane. The background blue color deepens in shade as one looks down the pane, evoking inky ocean waters barely penetrated by sunlight. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp pane with original artwork by Sam Weber.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 474500, $9.80 Sharks (Forever priced at 49 cents) Commemorative PSA Pane of 20 Stamps


Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:
474506, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $88.20.
474510*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (set of 5), $18.95.
474516*, First-Day Cover (set of 5), $4.65.
474521*, Digital Color Postmark (set of 5), $8.20.
474524*, Framed Art, $29.95.
474527*, Folio, $18.95.
474530*, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
474533*, Panel, $10.95.
474534*, Stamp Ceremony Memento, $21.95.

Issue: Sharks Stamps
Item Number: 474500
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail® Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (5 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: July 26, 2017, Newport, KY 41071
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Artist: Sam Weber, Brooklyn, NY
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: 20
Print Quantity: 40,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit NC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 0.84 in/36.07 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.98 in/39.62 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.24 x 8.00 in/183.90 x 203.20 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 21.97 x 24.25 in/558.04 x 615.95 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "B" followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: Front:
Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back:
© 2016 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (474500) in lower right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text

Stamp Announcement 17-31: Protect Pollinators Stamps



© 2016

On August 3, 2017, in Richmond, VA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Protect Pollinators stamps (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in five designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 475200). The Protect Pollinators $9.80 pane of 20 stamps may not be split, and the stamps may not be sold individually. The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 3, 2017.

The U.S. Postal Service pays tribute to the beauty and importance of pollinators with stamps depicting two of our continent's most iconic: the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), each shown industriously pollinating a variety of plants native to North America.
The stamps feature:
* A monarch and a coneflower (photo by Karen Mayford);
* A western honeybee and a golden ragwort (photo by George D. Lepp);
* A monarch and a zinnia (photo by Bonnie Sue Rauch);
* A western honeybee and a New England aster (photo by Michael Durham); and
* A monarch and goldenrod (photo by Justin Fowler).

The remainder of the stamps in this pane recur in a scattered arrangement reminiscent of a field of wildflowers. The selvage photograph features a monarch and a goldenrod — a different view of the same two species depicted on one of the stamps (photo by Justin Fowler). These particular species exemplify the ecological service provided by all pollinators, which include other insects, birds, and bats. Trending declines in their populations alert us that pollinators now need mindful human intervention in order to thrive. Individuals can help butterflies, bees, and other pollinators by planting pollinator gardens that include native flowers or heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables. Art director Derry Noyes designed this stamp pane with existing photographs.

Availability to Post Offices: Item 475200, $9.80 Protect Pollinators (Forever priced at 49 cents) Commemorative PSA Pane of 20 Stamps


Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows:
475206, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $88.20.
475210*, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (set of 5), $18.95.
475216*, First-Day Cover (set of 5), $4.65.
475221*, Digital Color Postmark (set of 5), $8.20.
475224*, Framed Art, $29.95.
475230*, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
475233*, Panel, $10.95.

Issue: Protect Pollinators Stamps
Item Number: 475200
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail® Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (5 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: August 3, 2017, Richmond, VA 23232
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Existing Photos: Michael Durham, George D. Lepp, Karen Mayford, Bonnie Sue Rauch, Justin Fowler
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 60,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.42 x 0.84 in/36.07 x 21.34 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.56 x 0.98 in/39.62 x 24.89 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 7.24 x 7.83 in/183.90 x 198.88 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 21.97 x 24.365 in/558.04 x 618.87 mm
Plate Size: 180 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "P" followed by four (4) digits
Marginal Markings:
Front:
Plate Numbers in two corners of pane • Header "Protect Pollinators"
Back:
©2016 USPS • USPS Logo • Two barcodes (475200) • Plate Position Diagram • Promotional Text

Latest Scott Number assignments

5201 3¢ Strawberries
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