Say Yes to the Postal Service's Where Dreams Blossom and Yes, I Do Stamps

NEW YORK, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Postal Service released two new stamps, Where Dreams Blossom and Yes, I Do, just in time for the spring wedding season. These beautiful stamps depict floral bouquets and were dedicated at the American Stamp Dealers Association's Spring Postage Stamp Show.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130411/DC93446)

"Flowers are the universal symbol of love and happiness," said dedicating official and Postal Service New York District Finance Manager Carrie Damon. "These beautiful works of living art are often the centerpiece of our most cherished ceremonies. The stylized bouquet and elegant writing featured on the Where Dreams Blossom and Yes, I Do stamps will add a fun and contemporary flair to any correspondence while delivering a bright pop of color."

Joining Damon at the ceremony were American Philatelic Society President Wade Sadi and American Stamp Dealers Association President and Executive Director Jim Lee and Amy Nicklaus.

Where Dreams Blossom is perfect to use for Mother's Day, graduation, save the date notices and thank you cards. They also can be used to celebrate other joyous moments or deliver comfort and encouragement.

Yes, I Do is the latest stamp in the Postal Service's wedding series, which began in 2004. The 2-ounce mailing rate can accommodate the heavier weight of an invitation, as well as oversized cards or small gifts that require extra postage.

To help customers ensure their special occasion mailings arrive safely, the Postal Service offers the following tips:

• Weigh a sample mail piece to confirm the required postage before completing the mailing
• Request hand cancellation of invitations and oversized letters (where available)
• Postmark invitations and correspondence from love-themed cities (mail envelopes to the Postmaster with a note requesting a cancellation on each item)
  • Bliss, ID 83314-9998
  • Bliss, NY 14024-9998
  • Blissfield, MI 49228-9998
  • McBrides, MI 48852-9800
  • Groom, TX 79039-9802

The Where Dreams Blossom First-Class Mail Forever stamps are 46 cents each and offered as a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps, priced at $9.20 per booklet. The Yes, I Do First-Class Mail stamps are 66 cents each and offered as a PSA pane of 20 stamps, priced at $13.20 per booklet.

Customers may purchase the Where Dreams Blossom and Yes, I Do stamps online at The Postal Store at 800-STAMP-24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide. Many of this year's other stamps may be viewed on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps, via Twitter @USPSstamps or at beyondtheperf.com/2013-preview.

First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks 

Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase stamps at a local Post Office, online at The Postal Store, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. Customers should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others) and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:

Where Dreams Blossom or Yes, I Do Stamp
Postmaster
421 Eighth Ave., Rm. 2029B
New York, NY 10199-9998                                               

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the first 50 postmarks. For more than 50, customers must pay 5 cents each postmark. All orders must be postmarked by June 11, 2013.

First-Day Covers

The Postal Service 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, online at The Postal Store or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:

United States Postal Service Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014

Philatelic Products

Seven philatelic products are available for the Where Dreams Blossom stamp issue:

• 579906 Where Dreams Blossom Press Sheet (with die-cuts) — Adorn your walls with beautiful bouquets, perfect for framing. This colorful 10.85 x 22.54-inch press sheet with die-cuts contains eight sheets of Where Dreams Blossom Forever stamps positioned two across by four down. Each stamp sheet includes selvage markings denoting the printer and the ink colors used to print the stamps. $73.60.
• 579908 Where Dreams Blossom Press Sheet (without die-cuts) — This colorful 10.85 x 22.54-inch press sheet without die-cuts, contains eight sheets of Where Dreams Blossom Forever stamps positioned two across by four down. Each stamp sheet includes selvage markings denoting the printer and the ink colors used to print the stamps.   Maximum order per customer: 5, $73.60.
• 579910 Where Dreams Blossom Digital Color Postmark Keepsake — This colorful collectible package includes a sheet of 20 Where Dreams Blossom Forever stamps and a #6 ¾ envelope with an affixed Where Dreams Blossom stamp and a First-Day-of-Issue color postmark. $10.95.
• 579916 Where Dreams Blossom First-Day Cover — A fresh take on flowers brings lighthearted cheer to this vibrant First-Day Cover. The #6 ¾ envelope includes an affixed Where Dreams Blossom Forever stamp and an official First-Day-of-Issue black postmark. $0.90.
• 579921 Where Dreams Blossom Digital Color Postmark — Abundant with colorful blooms, this lively First-Day Cover bears an affixed, Where Dreams Blossom Forever stamp and an official First-Day-of-Issue color postmark. $1.61
• 579931 Where Dreams Blossom Stamp Deck Card $0.95.
• 579932 Where Dreams Blossom Stamp Deck Card (with Digital Color Postmark) $1.96.

Seven philatelic products are available for the Yes, I Do stamp issue:

• 579806 Yes, I Do Press Sheet (with die-cuts) — Grace your walls with this perfect for framing, colorful 21.45 x 17.76-inch press sheet with die-cuts. It contains nine sheets of Yes, I Do 2-ounce 66-cent stamps positioned three across by three down. Each stamp sheet includes selvage markings denoting the printer and the ink colors used to print the stamps. $118.80.
• 579808 Yes, I Do Press Sheet (without die-cuts) — This colorful 21.45 x 17.76-inch press sheet without die-cuts contains nine sheets of Yes, I Do 2-ounce 66-cent stamps positioned three across by three down. Each stamp sheet includes selvage markings denoting the printer and the ink colors used to print the stamps. $118.80.
• 579810 Yes, I Do Digital Color Postmark Keepsake — Romantic and sophisticated, this refreshing collectible package includes a sheet of 20 Yes, I Do 2-ounce 66-cent stamps and a #6 ¾ envelope with an affixed Yes, I Do stamp and a First-Day-of-Issue color postmark. $15.95.
• 579816 Yes, I Do First-Day Cover — Capture the romance of wedding celebrations with this charming First-Day Cover. The #6 ¾ envelope carries an affixed Yes, I Do 2-ounce 66-cent stamp and an official First-Day-of-Issue black postmark. $1.10.
• 579821 Yes, I Do Digital Color Postmark — Romantic with a contemporary spin, this First-Day Cover (#6 ¾ envelope) carries an affixed Yes, I Do 2-ounce 66-cent stamp and an official First-Day-of-Issue color postmark. $1.81.
• 579831 Yes, I Do Stamp Deck Card $0.95.
• 579832 Yes, I Do Stamp Deck Card (with Digital Color Postmark) $2.16.

A self-supporting government enterprise, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation: 152 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes. The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. With more than 31,000 retail locations and the most frequently visited website in the federal government, usps.com, the Postal Service has annual revenue of more than $65 billion and delivers nearly 40 percent of the world's mail. If it were a private-sector company, the U.S. Postal Service would rank 42nd in the 2012 Fortune 500. The Postal Service has been named the Most Trusted Government Agency for seven years and the fourth Most Trusted Business in the nation by the Ponemon Institute.

Follow the Postal Service on twitter.com/USPSStamps and at facebook.com/USPSStamps.

SOURCE U.S. Postal Service