First Class Two Ounce or Non-Machineable Envelope Forever
Sheet of twenty, one stamp design
The Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly graces the fifth non-machineable butterfly stamp for use on irregularly sized envelopes, such as square greeting cards, invitations, or announcements. The stamp art for the Eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly stamp was created on a computer, using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point. The result is a highly stylized, simplified image of an Eastern tiger swallowtail rather than an exact replica.
The square format of the stamp was developed in partnership with the greeting card industry specifically for over-sized or square envelopes. These envelopes cannot pass through the automated Postal processing system and have to be hand-cancelled. They are charged a non-machineable surcharge even if they weigh less than 1 ounce.
Greeting card envelopes printed with the silhouette of a butterfly in the upper right corner need additional postage–or the use of this butterfly stamp. Any non-machineable envelope like oddly-shaped or vertical envelopes, as well as lumpy envelopes, rigid envelopes, or mail with clasps, ribbons, or buttons, may use this stamp.
The Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is named for the black “tiger” stripes along the upper surfaces of its wings. Like others in the swallowtail family, Papilionidae, these butterflies have long tails on the tips of their hind wings. Males and some females are yellow with black stripes, with females having much more blue on the upper surface of the hind wings than the males. There is also a dark female morph or form. In the dark morph, the areas of the wing that are normally yellow are dark gray or black. This 2015 stamp illustrates a yellow morph female.
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Non-Machineable Surcharge stamp is issued in sheets of twenty. The words “NON-MACHINEABLE SURCHARGE” at the bottom of the stamp show its usage value. Like a Forever® stamp, this stamp will always be equal in value to the current non-machineable stamp. The price and value for this stamp is 68¢.
Nationally known artist Tom Engeman created the stamp art. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.
Made in the USA.
Issue Date: June 1, 2015
Art Director/Designer: Derry Noyes, Tom Engeman
SKU: 117804
USPS® Philatelic Archive 