This $10.75 stamp was issued April 29, 1985, in San Francisco, California, in a booklet containing one pane of three stamps. The stamp was intended primarily for use on items weighing up to two pounds that were sent via Express Mail Next Day Service, but the stamps also could be used as postage for other mail.
The first stamp for Express Mail Next Day Service was introduced in 1983 to accommodate the increased use of this service. In the fiscal year 1984, 45.7 million pieces were mailed, increasing overall volume by 19 percent. Customers and businesses had expressed a need for a convenient means of paying postage, especially those using collection boxes for deposit of Express Mail.
The service afforded the highest priority in handling and provided highly reliable service. Delivery was promised on time or postage was refunded upon application by the mailer. Insurance coverage was included.
There were four types of Express Mail Service: Same Day Airport Service between major airport mail facilities, Custom Designed Service, which was available on a scheduled basis, Next Day Service to destinations which could be reached over night, and International Service, which was available to forty countries.
The stamp was designed by Young & Rubicam of New York City; typographer was Bradbury Thompson; art director was Jack Williams; modeler was Peter Cocci. The Andreotti Gravure process was used.
