# 2603-04 FDC - 1993 10c Eagle and Shield Combination FDC
US 2603-04
1993 Eagle and Shield
- Combination First Day Cover
- Non-Denominated Bulk Rate stamp
- Same design produced by three different printers
Category of Stamp: Definitive
Value: Non-Denominated, Bulk Rate
First Day of Issue: May 29, 1993
First Day City: Secaucus, New Jersey
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing and Stamp Venturers
Printing Method/Format: Photogravure, Coils of 3,000 (BEP) and 10,000 (Stamp Venturers
Perforations: 10
Reason the stamp was issued: The Eagle and Shield stamp was produced in 1993 because the US Postal Service’s supply of stamps with the same design printed in 1991 were running low. Its use was for bulk mailers, who paid 10¢ for each stamp. When the stamp was used, the mailer would make up the difference between the cost of the stamp and the cost of the mailing.
About the stamp design: The artwork for this stamp was produced by Christopher Calle, who has designed more than 30 US stamps.
Special design details: The 1993 design is slightly different from the original 1991 stamp. The new stamp’s wording is “USA Bulk Rate,” while the older stamp read “Bulk Rate USA.” The colors of the “USA” and “Bulk Rate” are reversed from the previous stamp.
The gold on the eagle’s feathers were printed with metallic ink on the Stamp Venturers stamps and with regular gold ink on those produced by BEP. In addition, the stars on the shield are slightly smaller on this stamp than the Stamp Venturers stamp.
First Day City: The stamp was issued on the opening day of Nojex 93, a stamp show sponsored by the North Jersey Federated Stamp Clubs. Though the USPS didn’t have an official ceremony, the show held a ceremony of its own.
History the stamp represents: The American eagle holding a shield and olive branch is similar to the image on the Great Seal of the US. It first appeared on a postage stamp in the 1869 series (#121).
US 2603-04
1993 Eagle and Shield
- Combination First Day Cover
- Non-Denominated Bulk Rate stamp
- Same design produced by three different printers
Category of Stamp: Definitive
Value: Non-Denominated, Bulk Rate
First Day of Issue: May 29, 1993
First Day City: Secaucus, New Jersey
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing and Stamp Venturers
Printing Method/Format: Photogravure, Coils of 3,000 (BEP) and 10,000 (Stamp Venturers
Perforations: 10
Reason the stamp was issued: The Eagle and Shield stamp was produced in 1993 because the US Postal Service’s supply of stamps with the same design printed in 1991 were running low. Its use was for bulk mailers, who paid 10¢ for each stamp. When the stamp was used, the mailer would make up the difference between the cost of the stamp and the cost of the mailing.
About the stamp design: The artwork for this stamp was produced by Christopher Calle, who has designed more than 30 US stamps.
Special design details: The 1993 design is slightly different from the original 1991 stamp. The new stamp’s wording is “USA Bulk Rate,” while the older stamp read “Bulk Rate USA.” The colors of the “USA” and “Bulk Rate” are reversed from the previous stamp.
The gold on the eagle’s feathers were printed with metallic ink on the Stamp Venturers stamps and with regular gold ink on those produced by BEP. In addition, the stars on the shield are slightly smaller on this stamp than the Stamp Venturers stamp.
First Day City: The stamp was issued on the opening day of Nojex 93, a stamp show sponsored by the North Jersey Federated Stamp Clubs. Though the USPS didn’t have an official ceremony, the show held a ceremony of its own.
History the stamp represents: The American eagle holding a shield and olive branch is similar to the image on the Great Seal of the US. It first appeared on a postage stamp in the 1869 series (#121).