Postal Bulletin 22328, January 12, 2012 - Our Business Is Delivering

92 postal bulletin 22328 (1-12-12) Organization Information
Stamp Announcement 12-14: Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon
© 2011 USPS
On January 23, 2012, in San Francisco, California, the
Postal Service will issue a Lunar New Year: Year of the
Dragon stamp (Forever ® priced at 45 cents) in one design
in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 12 stamps
(Item 576900).
The Year of the Dragon stamp is the fifth of 12 stamps in
the Celebrating Lunar New Year Series. The Year of the
Dragon begins on January 23, 2012, and ends on February
9, 2013. The stamp art depicts part of a colorful dragon figure
of the sort manipulated by dancers welcoming the New
Year. Artist Kam Mak created the eye-popping illustration.
Art Director Ethel Kessler incorporated elements from the
previous series of Lunar New Year stamps to create continuity
between the series.
The stamp will go on sale nationwide January 23, 2012.
Distribution: Item 576900, Lunar New Year: Year of
the Dragon (Forever priced at 45 cents) PSA Pane
of 12 Stamps
Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) and stamp distribution
centers (SDCs) will receive their standard automatic
distribution quantity for a PSA pane stamp. Distributions
are rounded up to the nearest master carton size of 2,000
panes. The Lunar New Year stamp is issued and sold as a
pane of 12 ($5.40).
Initial Supply to Post Offices
SDOs/SDCs will make subsequent automatic distribution
to Post Offices of a quantity to cover approximately
45 days of sales. Distribution quantities for the automatic
distribution will be posted, by finance number and unit ID,
on the Asset Management SDC webpage at http://
blue.usps.gov/purchase/assetmgnt/am_sdchome.htm. For
Post Offices that have placed orders, initial supplies to the
Post Offices will be shipped as stamps are received at the
Stamp Distribution Centers from the stamp printers.
The $5.40 Celebrating Lunar New Year: Year of the
Dragon souvenir sheet may not be split, and the stamps
may not be sold individually.
Additional Supply
Post Offices requiring additional quantities of Item
576900 must requisition them from their designated SDO/
SDC after the first day of issue using PS Form 17, Stamp
Requisition/Stamp Return.
Sales Policy
All Post Offices should maintain a sufficient inventory
level of this item until the stamp is officially withdrawn from
sale. If supplies run low, Post Offices must reorder additional
quantities using their normal ordering procedures.
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
www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. 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:
Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon Stamp
Postmaster
180 Steuart Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-9992
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. All orders must be postmarked
by March 23, 2012.
How to Order First Day Covers
Stamp Fulfillment Services 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. Customers may request a
free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:
Information Fulfillment
Dept. 6270
U.S. Postal Service
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014