.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
May 30th 2012. U.S.S. Arizona Memorial - 50th Anniversary.
Two stamps and a minisheet were issued on May 30th 2012 honoring the 50th anniversary of the dedication and opening of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.
The U.S.S. Arizona (BB-39) was launched in 1915 and was used as a training ship after World War I (see $6 stamp above left). It was transferred to Hawai’i in April 1940. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941, a torpedo fired from a Japanese Zero aircraft (see $9 stamp above right) hit the forward magazine hold, resulting in a massive explosion which claimed so many lives and sunk the ship, all within nine minutes.
Fundraising for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial was started in the 1950’s and then finally completed in the year 1961. Construction began soon afterwards. It was dedicated and opened to the public on Memorial Day, May 30 1962. The Memorial is in remembrance of the 1,117 officers and crewmen that were killed on board the ship. The Memorial is built directly over the ship where it sank. Tours are provided by the National Park Service and it is the site most visited by tourists in Hawai’i.
The Memorial symbolizes the entry of the U.S.A into World War II. Close by is the U.S.S. Missouri which represents the end of World War II (see $9 minisheet below). The Japanese surrendered to the U.S.A and their allies on its deck in 1945.
The $6 stamp (above left) prepays the Overnight rate. It shows the U.S.S. Arizona at sea in 1938.
The $9 stamp (above right) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M, type 0 fighter aircraft, commonly called the "Zero".
The $9 minisheet (above) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows a photo of Pearl Harbor with the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in the forground and the U.S.S. Missouri in the background. The Pacific Ocean is in the distant background. On the right hand side of the photo is Ford Island.
The booklet cover for this issue (above) depicts another view of the U.S.S. Missouri with the U.S. flag at full staff.
The special postmark for this issue (above) depicts a drawing of the U.S.S. Missouri with the U.S. flag at half staff.
WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS ON ALL ORDERS
Technical details of the stamps and mini-sheet:
Colors: $6 & $9 stampa and minisheet - Multicolored.
Size: 48mm x 32mm ($6 & $9 stamp)
Stamps sheet size:30 - $6 & $9 stamps (6 across, 5 down).
Minisheet size - 63mm by 76mm.
Stamps perforated 12, minisheet - imperforate
Minisheet booklet pane - imperforate on 3 sides, rouletted on top side.
Stamps design: Enelani.
Layout & Pre-press: Enelani.
Printer: Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Printing Method: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) printing process.
Sheet margin markings: HAWAI'I POST (top middle), "Traffic Light" showing 4 colors used in printing (lower left side), © 2012 Hawai'i Post (lower right side) & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. (bottom middle)
Paper: GPA coated white stock with water-activated gum on the back.
Return to list of stamp issues
For details on upcoming stamp issues click here