Union post office set up to sell championship stamp

Tucson Postmaster Arnold Elias, who is serving as manager of special projects for the Postal Service, will present the Wildcat men's basketball head coach Lute Olson with a limited-edition, framed National Championship envelope at a public ceremony at noon on the Mall stage, said Cathy Neuman, customer relations coordinator for the Tucson post office.

The envelope features the official Arizona Wildcats National Championship logo in full-color foil, a $2 Wildcat postage stamp and the National Championship postmark, Neuman said. She said it also includes the University of Arizona logo, the score of the final game and the words "National Champions."

"It is a pretty unique event. It is really a rather striking envelope," Neuman said.

Each envelope, protected inside a clear plastic sleeve, sells for $5 and will be available today and tomorrow at a temporary post office located in the Memorial Student Union's main lobby. The commemorative envelope will also be at all Tucson-area post offices beginning May 7.

The temporary post office will be open today from noon to 5 p.m., and tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Tucson post office also plans to sell 5,000 limited-edition framed envelopes for $75.

"The post office issues special postmarks and commemorative envelopes for special occasions which hold significant meaning in the community," said Felix Guerra, acting Tucson postmaster. "Certainly, the Arizona Wildcats winning the National Championship is such an event. We are proud to provide an official postmark and envelope that will be prized by stamp collectors and Wildcat fans across the country."

For fans just interested in the National Championship postmark, it is available for the price of a first-class postage stamp, 32 cents. The postmark will be applied free of charge to any item with first-class postage affixed at the temporary post office and for 30 days thereafter at the Tucson main post office and by mail.

The commemorative envelopes will be available as supplies last, Neuman said. She said the post office will consider printing more envelopes if area residents show a great interest in them.

All of the post office products are also available by mail for a few extra dollars. The envelope is $7 and the framed envelope is $80 by mail, including shipping and handling.

People interested can write to: National Championship Products, Tucson Post Office, 1501 S. Cherrybell Stravenue, Tucson, Ariz., 85726-9991.