USPS issues new stamp featuring bottlenose dolphin
The U.S. Postal Service has issued a 64-cent Dolphin definitive stamp in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive pane of 20 stamps.
The stamp, designed by Carl T. Herrman, North Las Vegas, Nevada, is currently on sale nationwide. The stamp will be used on oversize first-class letters. Some 40 million stamps have been printed.
This 2009 stamp, with an illustration by Nancy Stahl, New York, N.Y., features a bottlenose dolphin leaping from the water. Stahl has created illustrations for several stamps, including the Dragonfly (2008) and Florida Panther (2007), designed in a similar style. She used several photographs of bottlenose dolphins, marine mammals, noted for their high intelligence and playful behavior, as reference for the art.
Customers have 90 days from the official first day of issuance date to obtain first day of sale postmarks on new stamps and stationery items. Collectors may request a local first day of sale postmark by mail only. There is no charge for servicing of first day of sale postmarks up to 50 covers. Mail-in customers must supply a self-addressed envelope with sufficient return postage applied to return the serviced covers.
To obtain the first day of sale postmark, mail stationery items bearing Dolphin stamps to: Customer Relations USPS, 79 Mid Cape Terrace Suite 8, Cape Coral, FL 33991. Please specify which city you are requesting a postmark for Fort Myers, Cape Coral or Naples, Florida; if not specified, the postmark applied will be for the return address city. All orders must be postmarked by Sept. 14, 2009.
For more information about purchasing stamps, stamps by mail, postal regulations, a free subscription to USA Philatelic magazine, Post Office events, the location of the nearest postal store or contract unit, or for answers to your specific Postal Service questions, contact USPS at 1-800-275-8777 or visit www.usps.com.
To schedule a presentation for your community, club or group on how the Postal Service brings the Post Office to your home or office computer, call 239-573-9638.