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~ January 23, 2012 ~ Marshall Islands, Press Release ~
On January 23, 2012, the Marshall Islands Postal Service issued four new stamps celebrating the Year of the Dragon
During the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.—A.D. 220), the Chinese calendar was organized into repeating 12-year cycles, each year designated by one of twelve animals. The Chinese commonly refer to the year by its animal name: 2012 is the Year of the Dragon. Those born in a given year are said to share that animal’s character traits. Legend has it that when Lord Buddha departed from Earth, all the animals were summoned to bid him farewell. Twelve animals showed up, and the dragon was fifth in line. Thus, people born during the Year of the Dragon—1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
and 2012—are not only intelligent, they’re also gifted, popular, enthusiastic, perfectionist and full of vitality. A Souvenir Sheet of 4 is available for $5.88 (stock number 466-9851). A First Day Cover is available at the Official Price of $7.28 (stock number 466-9916). A shipping and handling charge is added to all orders.
For information about this issue, or other stamps of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, contact the Stamps and Philatelic Center of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, One Unicover Center, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82008-0001. Information may also be obtained by calling 1-800-443-4225 or ordering on-line at www.unicover.com/hprlrms.htm.
TECHNICAL DATA
Issue: Year of the Dragon
Face Value: 4 x $1.05
Issue Date: January 23, 2012
Issue Place: Majuro
Stamp Artist: D. Zoe Seemel
First Day Cover Design: Herb Kawainui Kane
Printing Process: Cyan, black, magenta, yellow by offset lithography on unwatermarked gummed paper
Printer: Pioneer Printing, Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S.A.
Stamp Format: Horizontal
Stamps Per Sheet: 4
Designs per Sheet: 4
Overall Sheet Size: 126mm x 108mm
Size of Stamps: 43mm x 34mm
Issue Number: C344
Stamp Number: (4-1) Blue Dragon
(4-2) Pink Dragon
(4-3) Yellow Dragon
(4-4) Green Dragon
Withdrawal Date: While supplies last
