{"product_id":"100-2021-colorado-hairstreak-stamps-5-sheets-20-stamps","title":"(100) 2021 Colorado Hairstreak Stamps-  5 Sheets 20 Stamps","description":"\u003ch3\u003eUS #5568\u003cbr\u003e2021 Colorado Hairstreak – Non-Machinable Butterfly Series\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• The 8th stamp in the Non-Machinable Butterfly series\u003cbr\u003e• Pictures the colorful Colorado Hairstreak butterfly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eStamp Category:  Definitive\u003cbr\u003eSeries:  Non-Machinable Butterfly\u003cbr\u003eValue:  75¢ Non-Machinable Surcharge Rate\u003cbr\u003eFirst Day of Issue:  March 9, 2021\u003cbr\u003eFirst Day City:  Estes Park, Colorado\u003cbr\u003eQuantity Issued:  75,000,000\u003cbr\u003ePrinted by:  Banknote Corporation of America\u003cbr\u003ePrinting Method:  Offset, Microprint\u003cbr\u003eFormat:  Panes of 20\u003cbr\u003eTagging:  Phosphor, Block Tag\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhy the stamp was issued:  To cover the non-machinable surcharge rate and continue the Non-Machinable Butterfly stamp series.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout the stamp design:  Pictures a digital image of a Colorado hairstreak butterfly created using references of preserved butterflies. Original artwork by Tom Engeman.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFirst Day City:  The First Day of Issue Ceremony was held virtually due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The First Day of Issue Cancellation was from Estes Park, Colorado, the town known as a base for Rocky Mountain National Park. The Colorado hairstreak can be found within the park and is also the state butterfly of Colorado.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAbout the Non-Machinable Butterfly series:  The Non-Machinable Butterfly stamp series began on May 17, 2010, with the issue of the 64¢ Monarch Butterfly design. The series was created to be used on greeting cards or other envelopes that required additional postage and\/or could not be sorted on the USPS’s automated equipment (known as “non-machinable”). This may include oddly-shaped, vertical, lumpy, or rigid envelopes. Even if an envelope weighs less than one ounce but is unmachinable, it would need a non-machinable surcharge rate stamp.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe USPS worked closely with the greeting card industry on the new Butterfly series. Reflecting this close working relationship, the 64¢ Monarch Butterfly stamp was issued at the National Stationery Show in New York City. The first stamp remained in use for two years before being replaced by the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly design in 2012 when the non-machinable rate increased to 65¢. New stamps followed every year through 2016, with the 2015 and 2016 being the first two without the actual denominations printed on the stamps.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe California Dogface Butterfly stamp was announced in 2016 and was expected to be issued in 2017. However, the USPS held off on printing the new design until supplies of existing butterfly stamps were nearly depleted. The California Dogface Butterfly stamp was finally issued in 2019 and remained in use until March 2021, when it was replaced by the Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly stamp.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHistory the stamp represents:  The Colorado hairstreak is a vibrant purple butterfly native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It was officially declared the state insect of Colorado in 1996.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eColorado hairstreak butterflies live in mountainous shrubland and are highly dependent on the Gambel oak for survival. This tree is an important food source for Colorado hairstreak caterpillars and the adults are also often found resting among its branches. The Colorado hairstreak lays its eggs in late summer with caterpillars hatching the following spring.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdult Colorado hairstreaks have a wingspan of one to one and a half inches with a thin tail on each back wing. This tail is what gives the species its name. Its wings are dark purple with a wide black border and orange spots on the outer edges. The underside of this butterfly’s wings are gray with white and black marks and an orange patch or small spot.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile butterfly species are often threatened by habitat loss, the Colorado hairstreak is lucky enough to still be in good standing. This is because Gambel oaks are plentiful in the regions where the butterfly is found. With continued luck, the beautiful Colorado hairstreak should be around for us to enjoy for many years to come.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AiroDecor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43235789766774,"sku":null,"price":32.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2301\/4774\/files\/64c6e8ca35b51.jpg?v=1774488820","url":"https:\/\/airodecor.com\/products\/100-2021-colorado-hairstreak-stamps-5-sheets-20-stamps","provider":"AiroDecor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}