# B5a - 2014 Non-Denominated, 49c & 11c Surtax Semipostal Imperforate - Breast Cancer Research

U.S. #B5a

2014 49¢ & 11¢ Breast Cancer Research Imperforate

A woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every two minutes in the United States.  Research indicates that twelve percent of American women will develop invasive breast cancer.  But there are nearly three million survivors of the disease in the United States alone.    

Research into the biology of breast cancer is vital to prevent and treat the disease.  Several organizations are committed to funding such research.  Since 1993, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has invested over half a billion dollars, funding more than seven million hours of research.  Susan G. Komen has raised over $2.5 billion since 1982.  And the Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp raised over $73 million between 1998 and 2014.  The federal government first authorized the stamp in 1998 with an 8-cent surcharge.  Proceeds from the surcharge, now at 11 cents, are donated to research efforts.     

Each group strives to fight breast cancer from the start, slow its progress, and ultimately stop it completely.  The five-year survival rate as of 2014 is 99 percent, compared to 74 percent in 1980.  With these organizations working toward a common goal, there is hope for the eventual eradication of this terrible disease that affects so many.   

The 2014 Breast Cancer stamp features the same artwork as the 1998 stamp (America’s first semipostal), created by artist Whitney Sherman.  It pictures the Greek goddess Artemis (or the Roman goddess Diana) symbolizing strength and hope.

49¢ & 11¢ Breast Cancer, issued to satisfy the first-class mail rate and raise funds for research

Issue Date: September 30, 2014

City: Sacramento, CA

Category: Semipostal

Printed By: Banknote Corporation of America for Sennett Security Products

Printing Method: Offset in sheets of 240, with 12 panes of 20 per sheet

Perforations: Imperforate

Self-adhesive

Semipostal stamps are also known as fundraising stamps. The price of the stamp pays the first-class postage rate plus an additional amount to fund a specific cause.

Scarce Modern Imperforates

The modern imperforate stamps are one of the hottest stories around.  In 2012, the U.S. Postal Service released some issues as press sheets.  The sheets with die cut perforations were issued in limited quantities. 

To the surprise of many collectors, officials then issued a small number of press sheets without perforations.  The uncut sheets were only available in Kansas City, Missouri, yet most sold out immediately.  In an instant, the imperforate stamp sheets became modern rarities.  For example, only 75,000 Baseball All-Star se-tenant sheets were issued compared to 118,000 Bugs Bunny sheets with the 10th stamp imperforate.

In a controversial move, the editors of Scott Catalogue announced they would not list or give numbers to these stamps because they did not fit Scott guidelines.  This decision was strongly debated since the imperforate stamps are valid for postage.  They eventually decided to give the stamps minor numbers and have continued issuing imperforates in the years since.

Because they were issued in such limited quantities, these scarce modern imperforates can be difficult to find.  Luckily Mystic purchased a small number of each imperforate stamp issued so you can add these modern rarities to your collection.  Be one of the lucky few – order today.