Sunrise (Dawn) Noon (Midday) Sunset (Dusk) Night
This strip of nine, with the plate number centered,
is the format that many collectors will save.
 
42¢  24/7 American Flags
(Sennett Security Products)
Water-Activated Coils of 3,000
Scott # 4231a Strip of 4, Plate # S1111111, on the 'Sunrise' flag stamp.
Scott # 4228
Scott # 4229
Scott # 4230
Scott # 4231
Flag at Dusk (Sunset)
Flag at Night
Flag at Dawn (Sunrise) - Plate number on this stamp
Flag at Midday (Noon)
Series USPS - NA ~ PNC3 - Flag / Patriotic
Issue Date & City April 18, 2008, Washington, DC 20066 (No First Day of Issue Ceremony)
Nationwide Sale April 18, 2008
Designer Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Art Director Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Typographer Phil Jordan, Falls Church, VA
Artist Laura Stutzman, Mountain Lake Park, MD
Modeler Donald Woo
Engraver Southern Graphics System
To Press / Initial Quantity Spring 2008 / Coil of 3,000 - 200 Million stamps
Coil Size 3,000
Printer Sennett Security Products (SSP)

Press Rotomec
Process Gravure
Where Printed American Packaging Corporation, Columbus, WI
Where Processed Unique Binders, Fredericksburg, VA
Plate Size & Interval Coil of 3,000 - 616 stamps per revolution / plate # every 12 and 16 stamps, alternating throughout the coil.  (USPS language said the 4th and 16th stamps)
Paper Type Prephosphored, type II, Surface Coated
Adhesive Type Water-Activated
Tagging Type Prephosphored, Smooth Tagging
Perf Gauge 9.9 Vertically
Colors Magenta, Yellow, Cyan, Black, PMS2738 (Blue), PMS 2945 (Blue), PMS 647 (Blue)
Image Size (w x h) 0.72 x 0.81 in. / 18.28 x 20.57 mm
Overall Size (w x h) 0.87 x 0.96 in. / 22.09 x 24.38 mm
Back Numbers Reported so far:  4 digit pink top and bottom back numbers every 10 stamps in positions 2 (1L) and 4 (1 R).
Earliest Known Use April 18, 2008
USPS Order Numbers 786840 Full Coil of 3,000 - $1260.00
786863 First Day Cover - Set of 4 stamps, $3.20
Availability Stamp Fulfillment Services, Kansas City / Providence / Tucso
Official Announcement On April 18, 2008, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service™ will issue 42-cent, definitive stamps, Flags 24/7, in four designs. These stamps will be available in the following formats:
  • Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 100 (Item 785900).
  • PSA coil of 3,000 (Item 786000).
  • PSA coil of 10,000 (Item 786100).
  • Water-activated gum (WAG) coil of 3,000 (Item 786800).

The stamps, designed by Phil Jordan of Falls Church, Virginia, go on sale nationwide April 18, 2008.

Each of the four First-Class® stamps features a paint­ing by Laura Stutzman of Mountain Lake Park, Maryland, of an American flag flying at a different time of day: sunrise, noon, sunset, and night.

In 1942, Congress passed a resolution establishing a code of flag etiquette. The code states in part that the American flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset every day, weather permitting, but especially on days of national importance like Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Veterans Day. Congress also decided that “when a patriotic effect is desired,” the flag can be flown through the night if properly lit. Although compliance is vol­untary, public observation of the code’s measures is wide­spread throughout the nation.

Die Cut Varieties  
Note  
How to Order 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™, or at The Postal Store® Web site 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:
FLAGS 24/7 STAMPS
POSTMASTER
SPECIAL CANCELLATIONS
PO BOX 92282
WASHINGTON DC 20090-9998
After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by June 19, 2008.
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
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
There are four philatelic products available for this stamp issue:
  • 785963, first day cover (set of 4), $3.20.
  • 786063, first day cover (set of 4), $3.20.
  • 786163, first day cover (set of 4), $3.20.
  • 786863, first day cover (set of 4), $3.20
Distribution: Not Yet Available