{"id":22303,"date":"2018-01-21T09:17:12","date_gmt":"2018-01-21T14:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/?p=22303"},"modified":"2018-01-21T09:17:27","modified_gmt":"2018-01-21T14:17:27","slug":"postal-service-to-issue-priority-mail-express-and-priority-mail-stamps-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/2018\/01\/21\/postal-service-to-issue-priority-mail-express-and-priority-mail-stamps-today\/","title":{"rendered":"Postal Service to Issue Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail Stamps Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Sleeping\u00a0\"Byodo-In<\/p>\n

KANSAS CITY, MO \u2014 1\/21\/18 – The U.S. Postal Service will issue the new $24.70 Priority Mail Express Sleeping Bear Dunes stamp and the $6.70 Byodo-In Temple Priority Mail stamp Sunday, Jan. 21.<\/p>\n

A special dedication ceremony will take place at Michigan\u2019s Sleeping Bears Dunes National Lakeshore later in the year. A special dedication ceremony will take place at the Byodo-In Temple Jan. 23 on the island of O\u2019ahu Hawaii.<\/p>\n

Priority Mail<\/em><\/a>\u00a0is a fast domestic service that includes flat-rate shipping in one, two or three business days based on where your package starts and where it\u2019s being sent.\u00a0Priority Mail Express<\/em><\/a>\u00a0is the fastest domestic service, with limited exceptions, available 365 days a year, with a money-back guarantee\u00a0and delivery shipping to most U.S. addresses, including PO Boxes.<\/p>\n

The Priority Mail Express stamp highlights the Sleeping Bear Dunes, which name is from a Native American legend. Rising 450 feet above Lake Michigan, the dunes are the highest perched dunes in the Great Lakes region and are protected within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The stamp art celebrates the grandeur and serene natural beauty of the dunes and surrounding park. Dune grasses mark the beach in the foreground, as gulls dive and soar in the breeze. Art director Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA, designed the stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove of Chicago.<\/p>\n

The Priority Mail stamp features a colorful illustration of the Byodo-In Temple, a popular tourist attraction in Hawaii. A smaller-scale concrete replica of a wooden Buddhist temple in Japan, the Byodo-In Temple is located in a private cemetery on the island of O\u2019ahu. Built in 1968 to commemorate the centennial of the first Japanese immigration to Hawaii, the temple is available for use for ceremonies, services, and events such as classes and concerts. Greg Breeding also designed this stamp with original art by Dan Cosgrove.<\/p>\n

Stamp ideas welcome<\/strong>
\nThe public is encouraged to submit stamp suggestions. Details on the stamp selection process and instructions for submitting suggestions in writing are available on\u00a0about.usps.com<\/em><\/a>. Due to the time required for research and approval, ideas for stamp subjects should be received at least three years prior to proposed release. Each submission should include pertinent historical information and important dates associated with the subject.<\/p>\n

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks<\/strong>
\nCustomers have 60 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at Post Office locations, at the Postal Store online at\u00a0usps.com\/shop<\/em><\/a>\u00a0or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:<\/p>\n

FDOI \u2013 Sleeping Bear Dunes and\/or Byodo-In Temple Stamps
\nUSPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
\n8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
\nKansas City, MO, 64144-9900<\/p>\n

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged
\n5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by March 21.<\/p>\n

Ordering First-Day Covers<\/strong>
\nThe Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the\u00a0USA Philatelic Publication\u00a0<\/em>and online\u00a0at\u00a0<\/em>usps.com\/shop<\/em><\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>Customers may register to receive a free\u00a0USA Philatelic Publication<\/em>\u00a0online at\u00a0usps.com\/philatelic<\/em><\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n

Philatelic Products<\/strong>
\nThe following Philatelic products are available at\u00a0usps.com\/shop<\/em><\/a>:<\/p>\n

Priority Mail Express Sleeping Bear Dunes<\/p>\n