Detailed Description

Ring in the Lunar New Year with treats, noise, and celebration! A wooden candy tray, known as the chuen-hop or Tray of Togetherness, highlights the 2015 Year of the Ram stamp from the U.S. Postal Service, eighth in the Celebrating Lunar New Year series. The Year of the Ram begins on February 19, 2015, and ends on February 7, 2016.

In the United States and elsewhere, the occasion is marked in various ways across many cultures; parades featuring enormous and vibrantly painted papier-mache dragons, parties, and other special events are common. Many families set out a candy tray, like the one depicted in the stamp art, to provide guests with an assortment of dried fruits and candies for a sweet beginning to the new year. Drums are played to celebrate this time of renewed hope for the future, with drumsticks sometimes painted red for luck. Firecrackers are set off to ward off evil spirits. Red envelopes (hong bao) containing money are given as gifts to children and loved ones.

Combining original artwork by Kam Mak with two elements from the previous series of Lunar New Year stamps Clarence Lees intricate cut-paper design of a ram and the Chinese character for "ram," drawn in grass-style calligraphy by Lau Bun art director Ethel Kessler has created a culturally rich stamp design that celebrates the diversity of the American experience.

The Year of the Ram stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp in self-adhesive souvenir sheets of 12. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.

Multiple Variations

If you see a OR sign in the picture, this means there are multiple variations available for this item.  The item consists of ONLY ONE of the variations as shown in the picture, not all variations.  I will send out any one based on availability.  If you want to specify any particular variation, please check with me before you bid the item or place the order.

Pre-order item

For any pre-order item, I will always ship it out together with everything on the same invoice once it is available.  If you want other items arrive earlier, please let me know and I will split the invoice before you pay.

Large/Special Order

If you have any special order (large quantities, special stamps), please check with me directly.  I have not posted everything due to the limited eBay store space.

Shipping & Handling Time

Most of the items (except Pre-order items and FDC) will be sent out within 1 business day after you pay the invoice.  Please review the positive feedback from the buyers.  The actual delivery time varies due to the destination.

Shipping & Handling Fee

I am trying to offer the lowest shipping fee if possible.  The item will be sent out via USPS standard mail (or first class mail) with no tracking number.  I will take a picture of the package as proof of delivery.  The shipping fee is listed as below -

Combined Shipping Discount

The combined shipping discount can be applied only on the items showing up in the same invoice.  Each eligible additional item will be charged an additional of USD $0.10 as the shipping fee.  If you have any question, please check with me before you pay. I will always get back to you within 12 hours.

Important tips to save shipping fee -

If you are purchasing multiple stamps through "Buy it now" option, please make sure all the items are in the basket before any payment.  Please review the invoice carefully to ensure all the items are listed there so that eBay System can apply the combined shipping discount properly.

Otherwise, eBay / PayPal will charge the FULL shipping fee for each item and they withhold the transaction fee & commission based on FULL shipping payment.  There is no easy way to refund the difference unless we cancel all the transactions one by one.

If you have any question, please check with me before any payment.


Package Loss Responsibilities

In order to provide the lowest shipping fee, I am sending all items by USPS standard mail without tracking number.  I cannot hold responsible if the packet is lost due to postage.  If you need extra shipping protection, please consider the following options and let me know before you pay -

US Stamps Plate Number

The actual plate number of the US Stamps may vary unless it is specified in the Item description / title. If you need the exact plate number shown in the picture, please check with me before you place the order.

US Stamp Sheets Plate Position

The actual plate position of the US Stamp Sheets may vary unless it is specified in the Item description / title. If you need the exact plate position shown in the picture, please check with me before you place the order.