Name: Breast Cancer Research - Sheet of 20
SKU: 555304
Price: 17.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Breast Cancer Research Stamp

First Class Semipostal 85¢
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SKU:

Issue Date: 9/30/2014

Purchase of this stamp supports the Breast Cancer Research work of the National Institutes of Health and the Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense. Each Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp is valid for postage at the First-Class Mail®, single-piece, first-ounce rate in effect at the time of purchase.

1. Format:

Sheet of 20 $17.00

More Information

The Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp, originally issued in 1998, was reissued in 2014. Mandated by Congress in 1997 and signed into law by President Bill Clinton, the 1998 Breast Cancer Research stamp was the first semipostal issued by the U.S. Postal Service®. Semipostals are stamps sold at a surcharge to raise money for a particular cause. Purchase of this stamp supports the Breast Cancer Research work of the National Institutes of Health and the Medical Research Program of the Department of Defense.
The stamp art depicts a woman standing with her right arm raised, reaching behind her head in the position recommended for breast self-examination. The drawing of the woman’s body is set against a background of pastel colors ranging from yellow to violet that cover the entire face of the stamp. Across the top of the stamp are the words “Breast Cancer.” Circling the figure’s right breast are the phrases, in all caps, “FUND THE FIGHT.” and “FIND A CURE.”
Art director Ethel Kessler, herself a breast cancer survivor, faced a challenge in designing the stamp. She wanted a design that brought awareness to the importance of Breast Cancer Research while offering a positive and uplifting image. After working with variations on the theme of pink ribbons-the symbol of breast cancer awareness-and photographs that struck her as too melancholy, Kessler turned to artist Whitney Sherman for other ideas.
Sherman produced many sketches, but one stood out from the others. A woman stands with her right arm raised, reaching behind her head in the position recommended for breast self-examination. The pose reminded the artist of depictions of the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt, Artemis (Diana to the Romans), reaching back to pull an arrow from the quiver hanging from her shoulder. The archetype represented by Artemis signifies strength, courage, survival, and hope, all the emotions that the art director and artist hoped to capture in the stamp art.
Each Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp is valid for postage at the First-Class Mail®, single-piece, first-ounce rate in effect at the time of purchase. To date, the stamp has raised more than $95 million for Breast Cancer Research.
Made in the USA.

Issue:	Breast Cancer Research Stamp
Item Number:	553000
Denomination & Type of Issue:	Nondenominated First-Class Mail Semipostal
Format:	Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series:	N/A
Issue Date & City:	September 30, 2014, Sacramento, CA 95813
Designer:	Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Art Director:	Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Typographer:	Ethel Kessler, Bethesda, MD
Artist:	Whitney Sherman, Baltimore, MD
Engraver:	N/A
Modeler:	Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process:	Offset, Microprint
Printer:	Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at:	Browns Summit, NC
Press Type:	Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane:	20
Print Quantity:	20 million stamps
Paper Type:	Raflatac, USPS-P-1238
Adhesive Type:	Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at:	Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors:	PMS1365 Yellow, PMS322 Light Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation:	Vertical
Image Area (w x h):	0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h):	0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h):	5.92 x 7.24 in./150.36 x 183.90 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h):	21.72 x 23.68 in./ 551.69 x 601.47 mm
Plate Size:	240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers:	“S” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front:	Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back:	© 1998 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (553000) Breast Cancer proceeds explanation • Promotional text

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