Classic United States Stamps - the 1901 Pan-American Exposition Stamp Set
The beautiful Pan-American Exposition stamps were the first United States postage stamps to be issued in the 20th Century. There are six stamps in the set, and all are quite collectible. They are commemorative stamps, but they were printed in a smaller size than the commemoratives that we're used to today.
These stamps were intended to promote the faulous 1901 World's Fair, also called the Pan-American Exposition, that was held in Buffalo, New York. The Fair itself featured technical achievements and their benefits, and each of the six stamps featured what was at the time a modern form of transportation. The 1 cent stamp features the City of Alpena steamship and is known as the Fast Lake Navigation stamp. The 2 cent stamp depicted the Empire State Express train of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroads and is called the Fast Express stamp. An electric automobile is featured on the 4 cent stamp (the Automobile), and the 5 cent stamp features the Bridge at Niagara Falls. The 8 cent stamp features the Canal Locks at Sault Ste. Marie. The final stamp of the set, with a 10 cent denomination, features an American Liner steamship called the St. Paul. It's also known as the Fast Ocean Navigation stamp.
Rach of the stamps in this classic US stamp set is a beautiful work of art and is printed in two colors. They were available for sale while the Fair was open, from May through October, 1901. They are true American classics and a valuable addition to any US stamp collection.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Great Reason To Collect Stamps - Investing in our Children for the Future
Stamp collecting has been one of the most popular hobbies in the world for many, many years. We've discussed some of the benefits of stamp collecting in other articles so we'll just briefly mention that stamp collecting as a hobby is fun, has potential for increasing in value, and is an intellectual challenge. But there's another benefit to be gained through stamp collecting.
A study by Royal Mail (the United Kingdom's postal administration) indicates that children who collect stamps grow up to be more successful, more intelligent, and have a better quality of life than those who do not. Stamp collecting teaches important skills and knowledge that transfers into everyday adult life.
The study's results indicated that 74% of stamp collectors have a college or university degree, in contrast to only 20% of the general population. The study also revealed that stamp collectors, in general, make more money per year than non-stamp collectors, typically have larger homes, and often have a second home for vacation purposes. According to the study, stamp collectors also take more vacations per year than do non-stamp collectors.
The study was conducted in England and so the results only apply to the people of that country, but there's no real reason to suspect similar results would be obtained if the same type of research was conducted elsewhere. So the bottom line is, stamp collectors tend to be more intelligent, better educated and more successful. What a great reason to begin a stamp collection, either as a child or as an adult!
Stamp collecting has been one of the most popular hobbies in the world for many, many years. We've discussed some of the benefits of stamp collecting in other articles so we'll just briefly mention that stamp collecting as a hobby is fun, has potential for increasing in value, and is an intellectual challenge. But there's another benefit to be gained through stamp collecting.
A study by Royal Mail (the United Kingdom's postal administration) indicates that children who collect stamps grow up to be more successful, more intelligent, and have a better quality of life than those who do not. Stamp collecting teaches important skills and knowledge that transfers into everyday adult life.
The study's results indicated that 74% of stamp collectors have a college or university degree, in contrast to only 20% of the general population. The study also revealed that stamp collectors, in general, make more money per year than non-stamp collectors, typically have larger homes, and often have a second home for vacation purposes. According to the study, stamp collectors also take more vacations per year than do non-stamp collectors.
The study was conducted in England and so the results only apply to the people of that country, but there's no real reason to suspect similar results would be obtained if the same type of research was conducted elsewhere. So the bottom line is, stamp collectors tend to be more intelligent, better educated and more successful. What a great reason to begin a stamp collection, either as a child or as an adult!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
American Motorcycles - A 2006 US Commemorative Stamp Set
Motorcycles are an important part of American culture, so it's not surprising that the USPS issued a set of four 39-cent American Motorcycle commemorative stamps in 2006. Each of the stamps features a classic American motorcycle, and they make a great addition to a topical stamp collection.
The Cleveland was a single-cylinder motorcycle built by the Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing Company of Cleveland, Ohio. Sold for $175, it was the most popular motorcycle in 1918 and could travel for 75 miles on a single gallon of gas,
The 1940 Indian was manufactured by the Indian Motorcycle Company. It was also called the “Four" because it used a four-cylinder engine, which at the time was a new technology. Its skirted fenders, partially covering the wheels, became a trademark of the company.
The Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide, first manufactured in 1965, is perhaps the most American of all motorcycles and an icon of American culture. It featured whitewall tires, loads of chrome, large fenders and a new electric starter.
The 1970 Chopper is another iconic motorbike, born out of the idea of chopping unnecessary parts from a motorcycle. Most choppers featured a stretched frame and raised handlebars.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Famous Stamps: The US Graf Zeppelin Stamp Set
This famous United States stamp set honors the Graf Zeppelin, a huge German airship that carried passengers and mail over the Atlantic Ocean from Europe to the Americas. Capable of flying completely around the world, the Graf Zeppelin was taken out of service after the fiery crash of the Hindenburg, another German airship of the same era.
All mail carried by the Graf Zeppelin bore one or more of the three stamps in this very collectible set. Each of the stamps show the giant lighter-than-air airship in flight over the Atlantic Ocean. The stamps were only available for sale to the public for about five weeks, and stamp collectors have been fascinated by them ever since. A complete set of these classic stamps is worth several thousand dollars in mint never hinged condition.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Stamps for Any Budget
Stamp collecting has many benefits for people of all ages. But one of the best things about collecting stamps is that it's very inexpensive to get started. The Stamp People features stamps for any budget - they sell stamps for as cheaply as a dime or fifteen cents, but they also have stamps as expensive as several hundred dollars.
The goal of The Stamp People is to sell a wide enough range of stamps that just about any stamp collector will be able to find something of interest. And they add new stamps and other philatelic items all the time. They try to make it easy for you to find stamps on their website, and all their items are listed in categories: by country, by topic, by type (covers and postal history, souvenir sheets, etc.) and other categories, and they also let you know what's new and what's on special sale at a reduced price. If you know what you're looking for you can use the search box and if you don't, you can browse the various categories. But if there's something you don't see, just send them an email: they'll quickly respond and they're worthy of your trust.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Not All Stamp Catalogs Are Created Equal
If you're at all serious about your stamp collection you'll need to use a stamp catalog, at least every once in a while. But there are so many of them out there, which one would be best?
Well, it all depends on what stamps you collect.
Scott's catalogs are the favorite catalogs in the US. Scott catalogs cover the entire world, but the US volume is specialized and includes many varieties of US stamps, making Scott the authority on US stamps.
Stanley Gibbons catalogs also cover the world, but they are particularly strong on Great Britain and British Commonwealth stamps.
Likewise, the Michel catalog is best for Germany stamps even though the entire world is included in its listings.
The Sakura or the Japanese Stamp Dealers Association catalogs do a nice job with Japan stamps, and Yvert et Tellier (often just called Yvert for short) is an excellent source of information about stamps from France, Andorra, Monaco and the French colonies. The Facit catalog is great for Scandinavian stamps.
The list of single-country country catalogs also includes Unitrade for Canada stamps, Sassone for Italy stamps, Zumstein for Switzerland stamps, etc.
Topical stamp catalogs also exist for several different themes of stamps.
If you're at all serious about your stamp collection you'll need to use a stamp catalog, at least every once in a while. But there are so many of them out there, which one would be best?
Well, it all depends on what stamps you collect.
Scott's catalogs are the favorite catalogs in the US. Scott catalogs cover the entire world, but the US volume is specialized and includes many varieties of US stamps, making Scott the authority on US stamps.
Stanley Gibbons catalogs also cover the world, but they are particularly strong on Great Britain and British Commonwealth stamps.
Likewise, the Michel catalog is best for Germany stamps even though the entire world is included in its listings.
The Sakura or the Japanese Stamp Dealers Association catalogs do a nice job with Japan stamps, and Yvert et Tellier (often just called Yvert for short) is an excellent source of information about stamps from France, Andorra, Monaco and the French colonies. The Facit catalog is great for Scandinavian stamps.
The list of single-country country catalogs also includes Unitrade for Canada stamps, Sassone for Italy stamps, Zumstein for Switzerland stamps, etc.
Topical stamp catalogs also exist for several different themes of stamps.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Stamp Superstars: Some of the Rarest and Most Costly Stamps in the World
Like professional athletes or movie stars, the stamp world has several superstars: the most famous of the famous classic stamps. Except for the Penny Black these stamps are super rare and except for it you're not likely to ever see any of them, but they're all interesting to read about. Some have interesting stories behind them, and many of these classic stamps are likely to fetch extremely high prices when they go up for sale - if they ever do.
Great Britain's 1840 One Penny Black, the first adhesive stamp ever issued. Although they're not considered rare, they're not a dime a dozen either, and they hold an important place in philatelic history. Used examples usually command prices in the hundred-dollar range, while fifteen years ago an unused example sold for $2.4 million dollars.
The 1847 Mauritius Post Office stamp, the legendary rare stamp (only a few hundred were printed and far fewer still exist) from the British Colony of Mauritius. In addition to being very old, it is actually a stamp with a printing error: instead of being imprinted with the words "post paid," the words "post office" are incorrectly on the stamp. A cover mailed with two of the stamps on it sold for about $4 million around 15 years ago.
The 1851 Hawaiian Missionaries stamps, used by missionaries on Hawaii to send their mail. The two cent stamps (only 16 known to exist) are the most valuable, ranging in cost from around $200,000 to $800,000. The five cent and 13 cent stamps are also quite pricey.
The Swedish 1855 Treskilling Banco Yellow stamp is perhaps the most famous of all stamps. It's an error of color that was supposed to be printed in blue-green, but somehow ended up being yellow. Only one is known to exist, and it's the rarest stamp in the world. It has fetched world-record prices whenever it has been sold, and without doubt it will continue to do so.
The 1856 British Guiana One Cent Black on Magenta stamp, also extremely rare. It's a rectangular stamp with black ink printed on magenta paper, but the corners are snipped off, making it an octagonal shape. Originally discovered by a young boy, it sold for almost $1 million about 30 years ago.
The 1868 US 1 cent Z Grill, the rarest and most valuable United States stamp. The front features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin and the back has a Z variety grill, intended to stop people from re-using the stamps by causing the postmark ink to settle more deeply into the stamp. Only two of these stamps are known; one is owned by the New York Public Library while the other is in a private collection. That stamp was "sold" a few years ago in exchange for a block of four Inverted Jenny stamps (themselves worthy of stamp superstar status) worth almost $3 million.
Like professional athletes or movie stars, the stamp world has several superstars: the most famous of the famous classic stamps. Except for the Penny Black these stamps are super rare and except for it you're not likely to ever see any of them, but they're all interesting to read about. Some have interesting stories behind them, and many of these classic stamps are likely to fetch extremely high prices when they go up for sale - if they ever do.
Great Britain's 1840 One Penny Black, the first adhesive stamp ever issued. Although they're not considered rare, they're not a dime a dozen either, and they hold an important place in philatelic history. Used examples usually command prices in the hundred-dollar range, while fifteen years ago an unused example sold for $2.4 million dollars.
The 1847 Mauritius Post Office stamp, the legendary rare stamp (only a few hundred were printed and far fewer still exist) from the British Colony of Mauritius. In addition to being very old, it is actually a stamp with a printing error: instead of being imprinted with the words "post paid," the words "post office" are incorrectly on the stamp. A cover mailed with two of the stamps on it sold for about $4 million around 15 years ago.
The 1851 Hawaiian Missionaries stamps, used by missionaries on Hawaii to send their mail. The two cent stamps (only 16 known to exist) are the most valuable, ranging in cost from around $200,000 to $800,000. The five cent and 13 cent stamps are also quite pricey.
The Swedish 1855 Treskilling Banco Yellow stamp is perhaps the most famous of all stamps. It's an error of color that was supposed to be printed in blue-green, but somehow ended up being yellow. Only one is known to exist, and it's the rarest stamp in the world. It has fetched world-record prices whenever it has been sold, and without doubt it will continue to do so.
The 1856 British Guiana One Cent Black on Magenta stamp, also extremely rare. It's a rectangular stamp with black ink printed on magenta paper, but the corners are snipped off, making it an octagonal shape. Originally discovered by a young boy, it sold for almost $1 million about 30 years ago.
The 1868 US 1 cent Z Grill, the rarest and most valuable United States stamp. The front features a portrait of Benjamin Franklin and the back has a Z variety grill, intended to stop people from re-using the stamps by causing the postmark ink to settle more deeply into the stamp. Only two of these stamps are known; one is owned by the New York Public Library while the other is in a private collection. That stamp was "sold" a few years ago in exchange for a block of four Inverted Jenny stamps (themselves worthy of stamp superstar status) worth almost $3 million.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Stamp Condition: Another Attribute Important to the Value of Stamps
Just like a stamp’s grade, the condition of a stamp can vastly affect its value. Although different than the stamp's grade, once again a stamp's condition does not refer to its subject matter, rarity or age: it refers to the physical characteristics of the paper the stamp was printed on.
Stamps in great condition are crisply printed with vibrant colors that appear to be just off the presses. Condition faults detract from the value of a stamp and include any type of alteration, damage or change since the stamp was printed, other than cancellations or other postal marks. Common faults include creases, tears, folds, holes, stains, missing corners or perforations, thins, and dirt or fingerprints on the gum, if the stamp is mint.
When looking at stamp condition, keep in mind that between two otherwise-identical stamps, the stamp in better condition will always be worth more. But also keep in mind that even stamps that are not in perfect condition can be worth a lot of money if they're scarce or if perfect-condition examples are extremely expensive. That's why some stamp dealers, like The Stamp People, offer severely marked-down vintage stamps for sale in addition to their perfect-condition stamps - to let stamp collectors buy stamps that they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.
Just like a stamp’s grade, the condition of a stamp can vastly affect its value. Although different than the stamp's grade, once again a stamp's condition does not refer to its subject matter, rarity or age: it refers to the physical characteristics of the paper the stamp was printed on.
Stamps in great condition are crisply printed with vibrant colors that appear to be just off the presses. Condition faults detract from the value of a stamp and include any type of alteration, damage or change since the stamp was printed, other than cancellations or other postal marks. Common faults include creases, tears, folds, holes, stains, missing corners or perforations, thins, and dirt or fingerprints on the gum, if the stamp is mint.
When looking at stamp condition, keep in mind that between two otherwise-identical stamps, the stamp in better condition will always be worth more. But also keep in mind that even stamps that are not in perfect condition can be worth a lot of money if they're scarce or if perfect-condition examples are extremely expensive. That's why some stamp dealers, like The Stamp People, offer severely marked-down vintage stamps for sale in addition to their perfect-condition stamps - to let stamp collectors buy stamps that they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford.
Stamp Grades and Their Importance to Stamp Values
If you're serious about stamp collecting and want to have the best stamp collection that you can, be aware that the most important factor in any stamp's value is its grade.
Stamp grading is determined by a variety of factors, but those factors do not include a stamp's subject matter, rarity or age. To the contrary, a stamp's grade is determined by how its design is centered between its perforations or, if it's an imperforate stamp, its margins. Both horizontal centering and vertical centering are taken into account. Grade also refers to the condition of the stamp's gum (if it's a mint stamp) or how the cancellation of a used stamp affects its design.
Grading stamps takes some experience - looking at a lot of stamps in a variety of different grades. After you've looked at just a few stamps you may be able to distinguish between stamps with a high grade and those with a low grade. Given enough time and experience, you'll begin to be able to tell differences in grading in most stamps.
Stamp grades are somewhat standardized, ranging from superb at the high end, to poor at the low. If you are going to become a serious stamp collector and invest some serious money, it's crucial when buying a stamp to know what grade of a stamp you are getting. The better the grade of stamps in your collection, the better and more valuable your collection will be.
If you're serious about stamp collecting and want to have the best stamp collection that you can, be aware that the most important factor in any stamp's value is its grade.
Stamp grading is determined by a variety of factors, but those factors do not include a stamp's subject matter, rarity or age. To the contrary, a stamp's grade is determined by how its design is centered between its perforations or, if it's an imperforate stamp, its margins. Both horizontal centering and vertical centering are taken into account. Grade also refers to the condition of the stamp's gum (if it's a mint stamp) or how the cancellation of a used stamp affects its design.
Grading stamps takes some experience - looking at a lot of stamps in a variety of different grades. After you've looked at just a few stamps you may be able to distinguish between stamps with a high grade and those with a low grade. Given enough time and experience, you'll begin to be able to tell differences in grading in most stamps.
Stamp grades are somewhat standardized, ranging from superb at the high end, to poor at the low. If you are going to become a serious stamp collector and invest some serious money, it's crucial when buying a stamp to know what grade of a stamp you are getting. The better the grade of stamps in your collection, the better and more valuable your collection will be.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Start Your Kids Collecting Stamps
Just about every child loves to collect things. Boys often collect matchbox cars, action figures or rocks, while girls often collect dolls, teaspoons or thimbles - but there are thousands of different things that kids love to collect. So why not help a child collect something that's fun, educational and may increase in value over time? Stamp collecting can grow into a lifetime hobby and it's easy and inexpensive to get them started.
Here are a few ideas to help you get your kids interested in stamp collecting:
Decide together what your children want to collect. Are they more interested in collecting stamps from a certain country or stamps with a particular topic like Boy Scout stamps? Do they like stamps that feature one of the Disney cartoon characters, or maybe stamps that show Princess Diana? Make the decision jointly, with everyone having a say: choose stamps that they will like and will hold their interest.
Help your beginning stamp collectors with the stamp collecting supplies that they'll need. The proper tools will help their stamp collection grow and be something to be proud of. At a minimum, the kids will need at least a few stamps, a pair of stamp tongs, a catalog that pictures stamps so they can be identified, some type of stamp album and/or a stock book, and some glassine envelopes.
Keep their stamp collections going by giving them stamps to add to their collection on a regular basis (or you could let them buy some very inexpensive stamps.) Collect stamps that you receive in the mail and set them aside for the kids. And keep the kids excited about their stamp collections by asking them questions about it, such as did you see the new Boy Scout stamp that just came out? Are you planning on adding it to your collection? Do you need any help organizing your stamps?
Work on the children's stamp collections with them. It's quality time you can spend together and it's an investment for the future - it's not just a financial investment, it's an investment in your childrens' futures.
Just about every child loves to collect things. Boys often collect matchbox cars, action figures or rocks, while girls often collect dolls, teaspoons or thimbles - but there are thousands of different things that kids love to collect. So why not help a child collect something that's fun, educational and may increase in value over time? Stamp collecting can grow into a lifetime hobby and it's easy and inexpensive to get them started.
Here are a few ideas to help you get your kids interested in stamp collecting:
Decide together what your children want to collect. Are they more interested in collecting stamps from a certain country or stamps with a particular topic like Boy Scout stamps? Do they like stamps that feature one of the Disney cartoon characters, or maybe stamps that show Princess Diana? Make the decision jointly, with everyone having a say: choose stamps that they will like and will hold their interest.
Help your beginning stamp collectors with the stamp collecting supplies that they'll need. The proper tools will help their stamp collection grow and be something to be proud of. At a minimum, the kids will need at least a few stamps, a pair of stamp tongs, a catalog that pictures stamps so they can be identified, some type of stamp album and/or a stock book, and some glassine envelopes.
Keep their stamp collections going by giving them stamps to add to their collection on a regular basis (or you could let them buy some very inexpensive stamps.) Collect stamps that you receive in the mail and set them aside for the kids. And keep the kids excited about their stamp collections by asking them questions about it, such as did you see the new Boy Scout stamp that just came out? Are you planning on adding it to your collection? Do you need any help organizing your stamps?
Work on the children's stamp collections with them. It's quality time you can spend together and it's an investment for the future - it's not just a financial investment, it's an investment in your childrens' futures.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Want to Sell a Postcard Collection or a Stamp Collection?
What do you do when you're cleaning out the attic and find your old Uncle Jim's stamp collection in an old suitcase or trunk? Or maybe you're moving and you find your mother's old postcard collection. They look nice, but you're just not interested in carrying the collection on.
But one man's trash truly is another man's treasure, and you may be able to sell the collection that you found for some nice change. The Stamp People is always buying stamps and Bygone Postcards is always looking for vintage postcards to buy. They'll consider all sizes of collections, large and small. Just visit their websites at www.thestamppeople.com or www.bygonepostcards.com to learn more about how to sell your treasures.
What do you do when you're cleaning out the attic and find your old Uncle Jim's stamp collection in an old suitcase or trunk? Or maybe you're moving and you find your mother's old postcard collection. They look nice, but you're just not interested in carrying the collection on.
But one man's trash truly is another man's treasure, and you may be able to sell the collection that you found for some nice change. The Stamp People is always buying stamps and Bygone Postcards is always looking for vintage postcards to buy. They'll consider all sizes of collections, large and small. Just visit their websites at www.thestamppeople.com or www.bygonepostcards.com to learn more about how to sell your treasures.
Stamp Collecting Can Yield High Gains As A Long-Term Investment
Stamp collecting, especially vintage stamps, can be an investment that steadily grows in value over the years. Stanley Gibbons, the large London stamp dealer, reported that postage stamp prices roughly doubled between 2000 and 2006. Not bad when you consider that's only 7 years. And Stanley Gibbons believes that over the last 50 years the average gain in value of postage stamps has been about 9.5% per year.
It's crucial to do business with reputable stamp dealers, especially when investment gains are one of the goals of a stamp collector. The Stamp People, an established online stamp dealer, take great pride in their integrity and provide superior customer service, thorough descriptions and accurate pictures. Visit The Stamp People today and see what they have to offer - you'll find everything from classic vintage stamps worth hundreds of dollars to inexpensive stamps priced below 20 cents each, to bulk stamp lots and wholesale priced stamp mixtures.
Stamp collecting, especially vintage stamps, can be an investment that steadily grows in value over the years. Stanley Gibbons, the large London stamp dealer, reported that postage stamp prices roughly doubled between 2000 and 2006. Not bad when you consider that's only 7 years. And Stanley Gibbons believes that over the last 50 years the average gain in value of postage stamps has been about 9.5% per year.
It's crucial to do business with reputable stamp dealers, especially when investment gains are one of the goals of a stamp collector. The Stamp People, an established online stamp dealer, take great pride in their integrity and provide superior customer service, thorough descriptions and accurate pictures. Visit The Stamp People today and see what they have to offer - you'll find everything from classic vintage stamps worth hundreds of dollars to inexpensive stamps priced below 20 cents each, to bulk stamp lots and wholesale priced stamp mixtures.
1893 Columbian Exposition Commemorative Postage Stamps
The first ever US commemorative postage stamps were issued in 1893 in honor of the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair. Quite controversial at the time they were issued, the stamps also commemorated the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World. They were intended to be moneymakers for the U.S. Post Office but were initially unpopular with Congress, which passed a resolution protesting these new types of stamps as being unnecessary. But despite their high cost (the face value of the entire set was $16.34, about the average weekly wage at the time and a lot of money in those days) these classic stamps were a huge hit with the stamp collecting public.
Sixteen stamps are in this beautiful vintage commemorative stamp set, and each one features a different scene from the travels of Christopher Columbus in Spain and in the New World. As mentioned earlier, the denominations of the stamps were a point of contention: the first class postage rate was two cents per ounce and people could only mail up to four pounds, so the high face value stamps (the $2, $3, $4 and $5 Columbians) were basically unable to be used on mailings unless one wanted to severely overpay the applicable postage charge. But in the end, over $40 million was made on the Columbian stamps.
A used complete set of Columbian Exposition stamps would typically cost more than $2,000 if bought today, while a mint set would cost more than four times as much.
The first ever US commemorative postage stamps were issued in 1893 in honor of the World's Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair. Quite controversial at the time they were issued, the stamps also commemorated the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World. They were intended to be moneymakers for the U.S. Post Office but were initially unpopular with Congress, which passed a resolution protesting these new types of stamps as being unnecessary. But despite their high cost (the face value of the entire set was $16.34, about the average weekly wage at the time and a lot of money in those days) these classic stamps were a huge hit with the stamp collecting public.
Sixteen stamps are in this beautiful vintage commemorative stamp set, and each one features a different scene from the travels of Christopher Columbus in Spain and in the New World. As mentioned earlier, the denominations of the stamps were a point of contention: the first class postage rate was two cents per ounce and people could only mail up to four pounds, so the high face value stamps (the $2, $3, $4 and $5 Columbians) were basically unable to be used on mailings unless one wanted to severely overpay the applicable postage charge. But in the end, over $40 million was made on the Columbian stamps.
A used complete set of Columbian Exposition stamps would typically cost more than $2,000 if bought today, while a mint set would cost more than four times as much.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
What are Classic Stamps?
Classic stamps are postage stamps that are considered distinctive by philatelists. The term is often reserved for stamps that were printed during the early years of stamp production, before about 1870. But the definition of "classic stamps" has never truly been established, and it can mean different things to different people. Some people include stamps issued before 1900 or so, although not all stamps issued before then can be considered "classic." Other people expand the definition even more and include at least some stamps that were printed up to 1910 or so.
What constitutes a classic stamp can also vary by country. For example, Canada produced some truly beautiful stamps in the 1930s, with stellar designs and exquisite engraving. Many stamp collectors would consider those stamps to be classic stamps even though they were printed after the period that's typically included in the definition. By contrast, stamps of the United States from the same period are only rarely considered to be classic stamps.
So to sum up, the definition of "classic stamps" is fluid and depends upon the eye of the beholder.
Classic stamps are postage stamps that are considered distinctive by philatelists. The term is often reserved for stamps that were printed during the early years of stamp production, before about 1870. But the definition of "classic stamps" has never truly been established, and it can mean different things to different people. Some people include stamps issued before 1900 or so, although not all stamps issued before then can be considered "classic." Other people expand the definition even more and include at least some stamps that were printed up to 1910 or so.
What constitutes a classic stamp can also vary by country. For example, Canada produced some truly beautiful stamps in the 1930s, with stellar designs and exquisite engraving. Many stamp collectors would consider those stamps to be classic stamps even though they were printed after the period that's typically included in the definition. By contrast, stamps of the United States from the same period are only rarely considered to be classic stamps.
So to sum up, the definition of "classic stamps" is fluid and depends upon the eye of the beholder.
EUROPA 2009 Stamp Program and Denmark's 2009 Astronomy stamps
2009 is the International Year of Astronomy, designated in honor of the 400th anniversary of Galileo and the telescope he used to discover the mountains on Earth's moon and four of the moons of Jupiter. Appropriately, the two EUROPA stamps for 2009 will have astronomy themes. Denmark has always had a strong tradition of astronomy and astronomical observation: Tycho Brahe was one of the premier astronomers of the 1600s.
The two beautiful astronomy-themed stamps pictured above are Denmark's 2009 EUROPA stamps.
Insuring Your Stamp Collection
Your stamp collection may be valuable, but will your insurance provide coverage if your collection is damaged or destroyed by a fire, flood, theft or other loss?
Some basic homeowner's insurance policies cover some types of collectibles, but it's always smart to find out what your coverage is before you really need it. As the old saying goes, "it's better to be safe than sorry." Don't just assume your homeowner's insurance will help out if you have a problem.
Everyone should inventory all their valuables - not just stamp collections but any art, jewelry and other valuables you might have. After the inventory is completed, get your valuables - including your stamp collection - appraised by someone competent. When you have your appraisals, contact your insurance company or agent to find out what your coverage really is. If your stamp collection and other valuables aren't already covered to their full value - and chances are, they won't be - consider adding a rider, umbrella policy or specialized policy that will cover them. Your valuables will then be covered up to an agreed-upon dollar amount as specified in the policy.
Several companies offer insurance coverage for stamp collections. One well-known company is Collectibles Insurance Services (this is not an endorsement of that company, we mention them just for your information, but there are others).
Your stamp collection may be valuable, but will your insurance provide coverage if your collection is damaged or destroyed by a fire, flood, theft or other loss?
Some basic homeowner's insurance policies cover some types of collectibles, but it's always smart to find out what your coverage is before you really need it. As the old saying goes, "it's better to be safe than sorry." Don't just assume your homeowner's insurance will help out if you have a problem.
Everyone should inventory all their valuables - not just stamp collections but any art, jewelry and other valuables you might have. After the inventory is completed, get your valuables - including your stamp collection - appraised by someone competent. When you have your appraisals, contact your insurance company or agent to find out what your coverage really is. If your stamp collection and other valuables aren't already covered to their full value - and chances are, they won't be - consider adding a rider, umbrella policy or specialized policy that will cover them. Your valuables will then be covered up to an agreed-upon dollar amount as specified in the policy.
Several companies offer insurance coverage for stamp collections. One well-known company is Collectibles Insurance Services (this is not an endorsement of that company, we mention them just for your information, but there are others).
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Stamp Catalogues
Stamp collectors need to organize and identify the stamps they own, and stamp catalogues are an indispensable tool in stamp identification. Catalogues tell collectors what stamps have been printed, when they were printed, their retail value and how to identify them and distinguish them from similar stamps.
Four comprehensive worldwide stamp catalogues are currently published on an annual or less frequent regular basis. They are all multi-volume publications. Unfortunately, the information on any one can completely contradict the information on the others, and often does. All of these catalogues have been produced in many editions, and the correction and updating of information is common. Anyone using a stamp catalogue should use the most recent editions if possible.
The four world-wide catalogues are:
* Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue. Produced in English by the Stanley Gibbons Company of London, England. It tends to be the standard reference in most Commonwealth countries except Canada.
* Michel Katalog. Produced in German by the Michel Company of Munich.
* Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalog. Produced in English by the Scott Publishing Co. of Sidney, Ohio, USA. It tends to be the standard reference in North America.
* Yvert et Tellier catalogue de timbres-poste. Produced in French by Éditions Yvert & Tellier of Amiens, France.
Other world-wide stamp catalogues which are no longer in production include those by Minkus and Senf.
Stamp collectors need to organize and identify the stamps they own, and stamp catalogues are an indispensable tool in stamp identification. Catalogues tell collectors what stamps have been printed, when they were printed, their retail value and how to identify them and distinguish them from similar stamps.
Four comprehensive worldwide stamp catalogues are currently published on an annual or less frequent regular basis. They are all multi-volume publications. Unfortunately, the information on any one can completely contradict the information on the others, and often does. All of these catalogues have been produced in many editions, and the correction and updating of information is common. Anyone using a stamp catalogue should use the most recent editions if possible.
The four world-wide catalogues are:
* Stanley Gibbons Stamp Catalogue. Produced in English by the Stanley Gibbons Company of London, England. It tends to be the standard reference in most Commonwealth countries except Canada.
* Michel Katalog. Produced in German by the Michel Company of Munich.
* Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalog. Produced in English by the Scott Publishing Co. of Sidney, Ohio, USA. It tends to be the standard reference in North America.
* Yvert et Tellier catalogue de timbres-poste. Produced in French by Éditions Yvert & Tellier of Amiens, France.
Other world-wide stamp catalogues which are no longer in production include those by Minkus and Senf.
Stamp Collecting Specialties
A complete worldwide stamp collection would be absolutely enormous, with thousands of volumes. It would also be incredibly expensive to acquire. Many collectors begin as worldwide stamp collectors, but after a while they they tend to get a bit overwhelmed by it all. Many eventually limit the scope of their collections, but their collections may be "deeper" (more in-depth, including varieties, errors and other interesting items). Some collectors limit themselves to the stamps of particular countries, time periods or topics. Other collectors limit
themselves to collecting specific types of stamps.
Some of the more popular stamp collecting specialties include:
A complete worldwide stamp collection would be absolutely enormous, with thousands of volumes. It would also be incredibly expensive to acquire. Many collectors begin as worldwide stamp collectors, but after a while they they tend to get a bit overwhelmed by it all. Many eventually limit the scope of their collections, but their collections may be "deeper" (more in-depth, including varieties, errors and other interesting items). Some collectors limit themselves to the stamps of particular countries, time periods or topics. Other collectors limit
themselves to collecting specific types of stamps.
Some of the more popular stamp collecting specialties include:
- Particular countries and/or time periods
- Definitive stamps - the most frequently used stamps
- Commemorative stamps - issued to commemorate events, anniversaries etc., on sale for a limited time
- Pictorial stamps - often featuring images of a country's scenery, animals, plants or lifestyle (some pictorials are definitives, others are commemoratives)
- Revenue stamps - issued to pay tax in small amounts. Some early stamps had Postage and Revenue printed on them, to indicate that they were acceptable for both uses
- Postal stationery - government-issued postal cards, aerograms, air letter sheets, etc.
- Sheetlets - a format now issued regularly by postal administrations. Instead of issuing stamps in large sheets of 40 or more stamps, smaller sheetlets with 16 or 20 stamps are issued with a large selvage area which may incorporate part of the stamp design or theme
- Miniature sheets - very similar to Souvenir sheets, minisheets are a form of sheetlet with a single stamp or a few stamps embedded
- Souvenir sheets - stamps printed in a format that look like a sheet with a large picture. Various parts of the picture are actually stamps can be removed and used as postage
- Corner blocks or plate blocks - a block of stamps from one of the four corners of a stamp sheet. Collectors usually collect blocks of four stamps, complete with the selvage area which sometimes bears printing details or plate number(s)
- Postage due stamps
- Federal Duck Stamps (stamps for duck hunting licenses, mainly U.S., but Canada and New Zealand also have duck stamps
- First day covers (FDCs) - envelopes with stamps attached and canceled on the first day that the stamp was issued. Most modern FDCs bear designs, called "cachets," related to the theme of the stamp issued
- PHQ Cards - pictorial postcards issued by the British Post Office (Royal Mail). Each PHQ card shows an enlarged color reproduction of a commemorative stamp
- First Day Ceremony Programs - folders or brochures given out to attendees of the First Day Ceremonies of postage stamps, with historical information on the stamp, a list of speakers, and an attached stamp, canceled on the First Day of Issue
- Souvenir pages - first day cancelled stamps on a page describing all design, printing and issuing details
- Topical stamps (thematic stamps) - many collectors choose to organize their stamp collection on the theme of the stamps, covers, or postmarks. Popular topical themes are animals, dogs, cats, butterflies, birds, flowers, art, sports, Olympics, maps, Disney, scouting, space, ships, Americana, stamps on stamps, famous people, chess, Chinese new year, and many others
- Cinderellas - stamp-like labels that are not valid for postage
- Counterfeit and forged postage stamps. There are several types of collectible fake postage stamps: 1. postal counterfeits produced by criminals for fraudulent use as postage stamps; often scarcer than the stamps which they were intended to represent in part because counterfeits are subject to government seizure and selling them may be illegal. 2. forgeries of rare stamps. 3. reprints produced by government printing offices or private organizations using the plates used to produce the original stamps. 4. faked stamps are common stamps which have been altered to resemble rare stamps such as forged overprints, forged cancellations, chemical alterations of a stamp's color or altered perforations
- Postmarks or postal markings in general
- Vintage stampless covers - common from the period before postage stamps were first issued to prepay postal charges
A Stamp Collecting Primer
Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and objects relating to postage stamps. In addition to stamps themselves, one popular type of item to collect is covers: envelopes or packages with stamps on them. Stamp collecting is one of the world's most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of stamps collectors ranging up to 20 million people just in the United States.
Collecting is not the same as philately, which is the study of stamps. You can be a philatelist without being a stamp collector, although most philatelists probably do collect stamps. Likewise, you can be a stamp collector without being a philatelist and closely studying what you collect. Many collectors simply enjoy accumulating stamps thout worrying about their tiny details, but creating a large or comprehensive collection generally does require some philatelic knowledge.
Stamp collectors provide an important revenue source for some countries. More than a few countries print beautiful stamps that are designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors and put into their collections, rather than be used on the mail. The stamps produced by these countries generally far exceed the postal needs of the countries.
Some collectors, seeing how the prices of rare stamps generally increase over time, engage in philatelic investing. Rare stamps are among the most portable of tangible investments, and are easy to store.
The first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Britain in 1840 and pictured a young Queen Victoria. It was produced without perforations (imperforate), so it had to be cut from the sheet with scissors in order to be used. While unused examples of the Penny Black are quite scarce, used copies may be purchased for $20 to $200, depending upon their condition.
Most stamp collectors in the 1860s and 1870s were children and teenagers - many adults dismissed it as a childish hobby that wouldn't interest them. But during the late 1800s those childhood collectors were adults, and many began to study stamps and publish research on various stamp topics. Some stamps, such as the triangular issues of the Cape of Good Hope, became legendary. But it wasn't until the 1920s that publicity about valuable stamps created a large increase in the number of stamp collectors and a large increase in the value of many old stamps. This rapid increase in postage stamp values was largely because very few of the older stamps had been saved in good condition. Especially difficult to find were pairs, triples, and large blocks of older stamps.
Most U.S. postage stamps issued since the 1930s are fairly inexpensive and easy to obtain, but some high face value stamps, such as the $2.60 United States Graf Zeppelin issued in 1930, are worth substantial amounts of money. Other recent stamps that can be expensive are souvenir sheets from popular countries, hard to find plate number coils (PNCs), and errors.
Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and objects relating to postage stamps. In addition to stamps themselves, one popular type of item to collect is covers: envelopes or packages with stamps on them. Stamp collecting is one of the world's most popular hobbies, with estimates of the number of stamps collectors ranging up to 20 million people just in the United States.
Collecting is not the same as philately, which is the study of stamps. You can be a philatelist without being a stamp collector, although most philatelists probably do collect stamps. Likewise, you can be a stamp collector without being a philatelist and closely studying what you collect. Many collectors simply enjoy accumulating stamps thout worrying about their tiny details, but creating a large or comprehensive collection generally does require some philatelic knowledge.
Stamp collectors provide an important revenue source for some countries. More than a few countries print beautiful stamps that are designed mainly to be bought by stamp collectors and put into their collections, rather than be used on the mail. The stamps produced by these countries generally far exceed the postal needs of the countries.
Some collectors, seeing how the prices of rare stamps generally increase over time, engage in philatelic investing. Rare stamps are among the most portable of tangible investments, and are easy to store.
The first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued by Britain in 1840 and pictured a young Queen Victoria. It was produced without perforations (imperforate), so it had to be cut from the sheet with scissors in order to be used. While unused examples of the Penny Black are quite scarce, used copies may be purchased for $20 to $200, depending upon their condition.
Most stamp collectors in the 1860s and 1870s were children and teenagers - many adults dismissed it as a childish hobby that wouldn't interest them. But during the late 1800s those childhood collectors were adults, and many began to study stamps and publish research on various stamp topics. Some stamps, such as the triangular issues of the Cape of Good Hope, became legendary. But it wasn't until the 1920s that publicity about valuable stamps created a large increase in the number of stamp collectors and a large increase in the value of many old stamps. This rapid increase in postage stamp values was largely because very few of the older stamps had been saved in good condition. Especially difficult to find were pairs, triples, and large blocks of older stamps.
Most U.S. postage stamps issued since the 1930s are fairly inexpensive and easy to obtain, but some high face value stamps, such as the $2.60 United States Graf Zeppelin issued in 1930, are worth substantial amounts of money. Other recent stamps that can be expensive are souvenir sheets from popular countries, hard to find plate number coils (PNCs), and errors.
Identifying Tagged Stamps - Do it, But Do it Safely
When printing their stamps, many countries use special paper, a special coating on top of the design or a special underprinting that glows when exposed to ultraviolet light. These stamps are called tagged stamps. Sometimes you can see evidence of tagging under regular light, but a UV lamp is almost always required. Tagged stamps facilitate faster mail processing by allowing automated sorting equipment to be used by those countries' postal authorities.
Collecting tagged stamps requires a stamp collector to use a UV light source, but because these lamps are dangerous to your eyes, never look directly into the lamp. Relatively short exposures to UV light can burn the corneas of your eyes. Wear glasses if you can when using a UV lamp to check the tagging on your stamps: the plastic or glass of the lenses in your glasses will absorb some of the UV light and help to protect your eyes. It's also helpful to identify tagging as quickly as possible, so sort your stamps as much as possible before turning on the ultraviolet lamp.
Tagged stamps often have tagging varieties and tagging errors. Some US stamps have several different types of tagging, even though the stamp design is identical. Tagging can be challenging, but it also can provide hours of pleasure. But please do it carefully.
When printing their stamps, many countries use special paper, a special coating on top of the design or a special underprinting that glows when exposed to ultraviolet light. These stamps are called tagged stamps. Sometimes you can see evidence of tagging under regular light, but a UV lamp is almost always required. Tagged stamps facilitate faster mail processing by allowing automated sorting equipment to be used by those countries' postal authorities.
Collecting tagged stamps requires a stamp collector to use a UV light source, but because these lamps are dangerous to your eyes, never look directly into the lamp. Relatively short exposures to UV light can burn the corneas of your eyes. Wear glasses if you can when using a UV lamp to check the tagging on your stamps: the plastic or glass of the lenses in your glasses will absorb some of the UV light and help to protect your eyes. It's also helpful to identify tagging as quickly as possible, so sort your stamps as much as possible before turning on the ultraviolet lamp.
Tagged stamps often have tagging varieties and tagging errors. Some US stamps have several different types of tagging, even though the stamp design is identical. Tagging can be challenging, but it also can provide hours of pleasure. But please do it carefully.
How to Find Vintage Stamps Online
Vintage stamps provide much enjoyment to many stamp collectors. Many online stamp shops, such as The Stamp People, sell vintage stamps from many different countries. It's easier than you might think to find vintage stamps online, and in some ways finding old stamps is easier than finding modern stamps - older stamps tend to have more value than modern stamps, so online stamp dealers are more likely to post vintage stamps for sale than modern stamps.
Any collector of vintage or old stamps knows that while some are quite scarce and valuable, others are very common and inexpensive. But stamp collecting isn't just for investment purposes: many people like to collect even the cheaper vintage stamps, covers and postcards because of their historic interest.
In addition to finding an online stamp shop that is willing to work with you to build your collection, one of the best ways to find vintage stamps online is to join a stamp forum or online community where you can discuss your needs and wants with other stamp collectors. They may be able to help you identify old stamps that you just can't figure out, and they may be willing to trade stamps with you. Online stamp auctions can be another good way to find vintage stamps, but make sure you read all the details so you don't get hit with any surprise fees or condition problems.
You can also buy assortments of stamps - either single country (such as US stamp mixtures) or worldwide stamp mixes. Generally available for wholesale prices (often only a penny or two per stamp) at an online stamp shop like The Stamp People, they can be an extremely inexpensive way to add vintage stamps to your stamp collection.
Stamp shows also provide opportunities to purchase vintage stamps and are held frequently in different locations. Drop into a stamp show if there's one convenient to you. Just be aware that you'll likely pay more than you would online.
Vintage stamps provide much enjoyment to many stamp collectors. Many online stamp shops, such as The Stamp People, sell vintage stamps from many different countries. It's easier than you might think to find vintage stamps online, and in some ways finding old stamps is easier than finding modern stamps - older stamps tend to have more value than modern stamps, so online stamp dealers are more likely to post vintage stamps for sale than modern stamps.
Any collector of vintage or old stamps knows that while some are quite scarce and valuable, others are very common and inexpensive. But stamp collecting isn't just for investment purposes: many people like to collect even the cheaper vintage stamps, covers and postcards because of their historic interest.
In addition to finding an online stamp shop that is willing to work with you to build your collection, one of the best ways to find vintage stamps online is to join a stamp forum or online community where you can discuss your needs and wants with other stamp collectors. They may be able to help you identify old stamps that you just can't figure out, and they may be willing to trade stamps with you. Online stamp auctions can be another good way to find vintage stamps, but make sure you read all the details so you don't get hit with any surprise fees or condition problems.
You can also buy assortments of stamps - either single country (such as US stamp mixtures) or worldwide stamp mixes. Generally available for wholesale prices (often only a penny or two per stamp) at an online stamp shop like The Stamp People, they can be an extremely inexpensive way to add vintage stamps to your stamp collection.
Stamp shows also provide opportunities to purchase vintage stamps and are held frequently in different locations. Drop into a stamp show if there's one convenient to you. Just be aware that you'll likely pay more than you would online.
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Great Britain's New Celebrating Wales Mini-Sheet
Great Britain's Royal Mail recently released a minisheet that celebrates Wales, one the countries of the United Kingdom. Wales is a very picturesque place with mountains, rugged seashores, ancient castles and colorful history and local culture. It's located on the far western side of Britain's main island, south and west of England. The new souvenir sheet is actually the fourth and final sheet in a series that honors different countries of the United Kingdom. Previous minisheets of the series honored Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.
The minisheet includes four stamps: the current regional definitive for use in Wales, the Welsh flag, St. David (the patron saint of Wales), and the Welsh National Assembly in Cardiff. Famed Harlech Castle in Snowdonia makes up the background of the sheet. Called "Celebrating Wales," this beautiful new minisheet would make a lovely addition for the Great Britain stamp collector.
Great Britain's Royal Mail recently released a minisheet that celebrates Wales, one the countries of the United Kingdom. Wales is a very picturesque place with mountains, rugged seashores, ancient castles and colorful history and local culture. It's located on the far western side of Britain's main island, south and west of England. The new souvenir sheet is actually the fourth and final sheet in a series that honors different countries of the United Kingdom. Previous minisheets of the series honored Scotland, England and Northern Ireland.
The minisheet includes four stamps: the current regional definitive for use in Wales, the Welsh flag, St. David (the patron saint of Wales), and the Welsh National Assembly in Cardiff. Famed Harlech Castle in Snowdonia makes up the background of the sheet. Called "Celebrating Wales," this beautiful new minisheet would make a lovely addition for the Great Britain stamp collector.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Collecting Back of the Book Stamps
Page through any stamp catalog and you'll find listings for many different kinds of collectible postage stamps. These types of stamps include commemorative stamps and definitive stamps, but they also include "back-of-the-book" stamps or "BOB stamps," called that because they're listed after regular postage stamps in Scott stamp catalogs.
Depending on the country, back of the book stamps can include semipostal stamps that pay postage but also have a surcharge to raise money for charities, airmail stamps, postage due stamps, parcel post stamps, special delivery stamps, registration stamps, postal tax stamps, official stamps, newspaper stamps, military stamps, war tax stamps, revenue stamps, occupation stamps and more. All serve a special purpose, and all provide an added dimension to the scope of your stamp collection.
Page through any stamp catalog and you'll find listings for many different kinds of collectible postage stamps. These types of stamps include commemorative stamps and definitive stamps, but they also include "back-of-the-book" stamps or "BOB stamps," called that because they're listed after regular postage stamps in Scott stamp catalogs.
Depending on the country, back of the book stamps can include semipostal stamps that pay postage but also have a surcharge to raise money for charities, airmail stamps, postage due stamps, parcel post stamps, special delivery stamps, registration stamps, postal tax stamps, official stamps, newspaper stamps, military stamps, war tax stamps, revenue stamps, occupation stamps and more. All serve a special purpose, and all provide an added dimension to the scope of your stamp collection.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
US Duck Stamps ... What Do Ducks Have to do With Stamps??
United States Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, better known as “Duck Stamps,” are beautiful large pictorial stamps produced by the U.S. Postal Service for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. They're called duck stamps because they always feature an artist's rendering of a specific type of wild game bird - often ducks.
Duck stamps cannot be used for postage: they serve as the federal licenses that are required for hunting migratory birds. A different duck stamp is produced every year, and hunters of migratory birds must purchase one each year. Every year an artist's contest is held and the winning artist's design becomes the design of the next duck stamp. Duck stamps are absolutely gorgeous, visually stunning stamps with vibrant colors and splendid detail, and are extremely popular among stamp collectors.
In addition to serving as hunting licenses, federal duck stamps raise money for wetlands conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Duck stamps cannot be used for postage: they serve as the federal licenses that are required for hunting migratory birds. A different duck stamp is produced every year, and hunters of migratory birds must purchase one each year. Every year an artist's contest is held and the winning artist's design becomes the design of the next duck stamp. Duck stamps are absolutely gorgeous, visually stunning stamps with vibrant colors and splendid detail, and are extremely popular among stamp collectors.
In addition to serving as hunting licenses, federal duck stamps raise money for wetlands conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Famous US Stamps - The Pan-American Issue Inverts
Issued in 1901 in connection with the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York, the six beautiful commemorative stamps of this series, Scott Nos. 294-299, were early bi-colored stamps. They feature various transportation-related subjects, including several ships, a vintage electric automobile, a steam engine and train, the bridge at Niagara Falls, and canal locks at Sault Ste. Marie. The set is a must-have for any US stamp collector and, because of its theme, it's a desirable set for topical stamp collectors too.
Three of the stamps - the 1 cent, 2 cent and 4 cent, are known to have varieties with inverted vignettes - the central part of the design.
Few stamp collectors will ever own one of the Pan-American inverts, but we can all hope.
Issued in 1901 in connection with the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York, the six beautiful commemorative stamps of this series, Scott Nos. 294-299, were early bi-colored stamps. They feature various transportation-related subjects, including several ships, a vintage electric automobile, a steam engine and train, the bridge at Niagara Falls, and canal locks at Sault Ste. Marie. The set is a must-have for any US stamp collector and, because of its theme, it's a desirable set for topical stamp collectors too.
Three of the stamps - the 1 cent, 2 cent and 4 cent, are known to have varieties with inverted vignettes - the central part of the design.
Few stamp collectors will ever own one of the Pan-American inverts, but we can all hope.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Keeping Track of Your Stamp Collection
Keeping a stamp inventory is a logical step once your collection grows beyond just a few stamps. After all, if you don't keep track of what you already have, you won't know what you still need, and you'll also run the risk of buying unneeded duplicates. And even more important than those important considerations, if you keep an up-to-date inventory of your stamp collection you'll have a proper record of your holdings for insurance purposes.
Some people prefer the old-fashioned way of recording their stamp purchases and sales: they use pencil and paper. This method has a couple of advantages - namely, it's free and it's extremely flexible - but it can also be time-consuming, as every entry must be manually made. Another downside is the amount of paper that can be required: if your stamp collection is extensive, the inventory may occupy several notebooks.
Using one of the many philatelic computer programs that are available is a more modern method than the old pen and paper method. This type of software consists of specialized programs that inventory and track the contents of stamp collections. Although most if not all must be purchased, they have several advantages. New items can easily be added, sold items can easily be removed, and a list of stamps can be sorted, generated and then printed out in several ways. You can even add scans of actual items in your collection.
An alternative to a dedicated stamp inventory program is Excel, a computer-based spreadsheet program that many are familiar with and already own. Pictures aren't possible, but many of the other advantages of dedicated philatelic programs are still there, including ease of entry, removal and inventory sorting options. As with the dedicated software, a list of your holdings can easily be generated and then printed out.
Keeping a stamp inventory is a logical step once your collection grows beyond just a few stamps. After all, if you don't keep track of what you already have, you won't know what you still need, and you'll also run the risk of buying unneeded duplicates. And even more important than those important considerations, if you keep an up-to-date inventory of your stamp collection you'll have a proper record of your holdings for insurance purposes.
Some people prefer the old-fashioned way of recording their stamp purchases and sales: they use pencil and paper. This method has a couple of advantages - namely, it's free and it's extremely flexible - but it can also be time-consuming, as every entry must be manually made. Another downside is the amount of paper that can be required: if your stamp collection is extensive, the inventory may occupy several notebooks.
Using one of the many philatelic computer programs that are available is a more modern method than the old pen and paper method. This type of software consists of specialized programs that inventory and track the contents of stamp collections. Although most if not all must be purchased, they have several advantages. New items can easily be added, sold items can easily be removed, and a list of stamps can be sorted, generated and then printed out in several ways. You can even add scans of actual items in your collection.
An alternative to a dedicated stamp inventory program is Excel, a computer-based spreadsheet program that many are familiar with and already own. Pictures aren't possible, but many of the other advantages of dedicated philatelic programs are still there, including ease of entry, removal and inventory sorting options. As with the dedicated software, a list of your holdings can easily be generated and then printed out.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
How to Buy Stamps
Finding free stamps is nice - you can get them from your own mail and from friends and relatives. But at some point (usually soon) those free stamps just aren't enough to satisfy you. Either you already have them or you just want to branch out into something different than what you see in the mail. Fortunately there are many ways to build your stamp collection if you're willing to spend a little money. Once you begin buying stamps, your problem will be too many stamps to choose from, and not enough money.
Stamp shops aren't as common as they used to be, even just a few years ago. They still exist, though, and there are 1,200 stamp shops in the US, with thousands more throughout the rest of the world. To see if there's a stamp shop in your town, look in the telephone yellow pages under "stamps for collectors."
Online stamp shops like The Stamp People are taking up the slack from the lower number of brick and mortar stamp shops that are still around. Online stamp dealers, like any other sellers, are generally reputable, honest and professional, and their stamp offerings are of the same quality as an in-person stamp dealer. Online stamp auctions also exist on a number of websites.
Another source of stamps are the public stamp shows that are regularly held in the US and all around the world. Some are very large, but others are much smaller with fewer dealers. The smaller shows are perhaps a better place to start: big stamp shows feature hundreds of dealers and can be a bit overwhelming unless you've been to one before. Learn where and when local stamp shows will be held by asking your stamp dealer, reading philatelic newspapers and checking stamp websites. You'll find stamps, covers and supplies at just about every stamp show, and sometimes paper ephemera and vintage postcards too.
Some stamp dealers offer mail-order stamp services: some are worldwide stamp dealers, while others are much more specialized. Some stamp dealers, including some pretty large ones, will send you stamps on approval, where you pick and keep those you want and return the rest along with your payment.
You can also buy stamps (new issues only) at any post office. Not all post offices carry every current stamp, but all should have at least a few different stamps to choose from. Some of the post offices in larger cities have a special philatelic window that serves the needs of stamp collectors. If you're lucky, one of these "retail stores" will be easy for you to get to. But don't panic if there isn't one in your area: the US Postal Service also offers a mail-order Philatelic Fulfillment Service Center. You can also buy stamps on the USPS website, located at www.usps.gov. And every country that issues stamps has its own postal administration. Many take stamp orders from collectors that are located elsewhere, and they often have websites, making it far easier for you to make purchases.
Finding free stamps is nice - you can get them from your own mail and from friends and relatives. But at some point (usually soon) those free stamps just aren't enough to satisfy you. Either you already have them or you just want to branch out into something different than what you see in the mail. Fortunately there are many ways to build your stamp collection if you're willing to spend a little money. Once you begin buying stamps, your problem will be too many stamps to choose from, and not enough money.
Stamp shops aren't as common as they used to be, even just a few years ago. They still exist, though, and there are 1,200 stamp shops in the US, with thousands more throughout the rest of the world. To see if there's a stamp shop in your town, look in the telephone yellow pages under "stamps for collectors."
Online stamp shops like The Stamp People are taking up the slack from the lower number of brick and mortar stamp shops that are still around. Online stamp dealers, like any other sellers, are generally reputable, honest and professional, and their stamp offerings are of the same quality as an in-person stamp dealer. Online stamp auctions also exist on a number of websites.
Another source of stamps are the public stamp shows that are regularly held in the US and all around the world. Some are very large, but others are much smaller with fewer dealers. The smaller shows are perhaps a better place to start: big stamp shows feature hundreds of dealers and can be a bit overwhelming unless you've been to one before. Learn where and when local stamp shows will be held by asking your stamp dealer, reading philatelic newspapers and checking stamp websites. You'll find stamps, covers and supplies at just about every stamp show, and sometimes paper ephemera and vintage postcards too.
Some stamp dealers offer mail-order stamp services: some are worldwide stamp dealers, while others are much more specialized. Some stamp dealers, including some pretty large ones, will send you stamps on approval, where you pick and keep those you want and return the rest along with your payment.
You can also buy stamps (new issues only) at any post office. Not all post offices carry every current stamp, but all should have at least a few different stamps to choose from. Some of the post offices in larger cities have a special philatelic window that serves the needs of stamp collectors. If you're lucky, one of these "retail stores" will be easy for you to get to. But don't panic if there isn't one in your area: the US Postal Service also offers a mail-order Philatelic Fulfillment Service Center. You can also buy stamps on the USPS website, located at www.usps.gov. And every country that issues stamps has its own postal administration. Many take stamp orders from collectors that are located elsewhere, and they often have websites, making it far easier for you to make purchases.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Should You "Invest" in US Forever Stamps?
The USPS has announced yet another postal rate hike, this one to take effect May 11, 2009. The 1-ounce domestic letter rate will rise 2 cents, to 44 cents, and the international one ounce rate will rise even more, to 98 cents. Rates for many other mailing services will also increase.
Postal customers can, however, use Forever Stamps — regardless of when they were purchased — to avoid some of the bite of this and future rate hikes: Forever Stamps can be used to mail 1-ounce domestic letters after the price change without the need for additional postage. Forever Stamps are widely
available through post offices, retail outlets such as grocery stores, and online, and the USPS seems to be encouraging their use. Right now their price is 42 cents, but they'll go up to 44 cents on May 11. Forever Stamps purchased before the last rate increase (in May 2008) cost 41 cents, but regardless of what was paid for a Forever Stamp, it can be used to pay whatever the 1 ounce domestic letter rate happens to be at the time.
So, should we stock up on Forever Stamps as a means to hedge against postal increases?
No. Although we deplore the inefficiencies of the USPS which have contributed to the need for this rate hike (just like we deplore the inefficiencies of the American Big 3 automakers) the need for the increase is there. But investing in Forever Stamps by buying large quantities is a bad idea, because postal rate increases, since 1971 at least, have historically been lower than the inflation rate. Despite the numerous postal rate hikes during that period, the relative cost of stamps has actually gone down. The overall inflation rate has been higher than the postal increases, so the dollar, relative to the cost of a stamp, is worth less now than it ever has been. If the same pattern holds, as the dollar continues to go down, you'd be paying more for today's Forever Stamps than you would in the future for a "regular" stamp.
Several other countries offer the equivalent of the US Forever Stamp: the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden among others. The Forever Stamps are not a bad thing for postal customers, but they'd be a bad long-term investment.
The USPS has announced yet another postal rate hike, this one to take effect May 11, 2009. The 1-ounce domestic letter rate will rise 2 cents, to 44 cents, and the international one ounce rate will rise even more, to 98 cents. Rates for many other mailing services will also increase.
Postal customers can, however, use Forever Stamps — regardless of when they were purchased — to avoid some of the bite of this and future rate hikes: Forever Stamps can be used to mail 1-ounce domestic letters after the price change without the need for additional postage. Forever Stamps are widely
available through post offices, retail outlets such as grocery stores, and online, and the USPS seems to be encouraging their use. Right now their price is 42 cents, but they'll go up to 44 cents on May 11. Forever Stamps purchased before the last rate increase (in May 2008) cost 41 cents, but regardless of what was paid for a Forever Stamp, it can be used to pay whatever the 1 ounce domestic letter rate happens to be at the time.
So, should we stock up on Forever Stamps as a means to hedge against postal increases?
No. Although we deplore the inefficiencies of the USPS which have contributed to the need for this rate hike (just like we deplore the inefficiencies of the American Big 3 automakers) the need for the increase is there. But investing in Forever Stamps by buying large quantities is a bad idea, because postal rate increases, since 1971 at least, have historically been lower than the inflation rate. Despite the numerous postal rate hikes during that period, the relative cost of stamps has actually gone down. The overall inflation rate has been higher than the postal increases, so the dollar, relative to the cost of a stamp, is worth less now than it ever has been. If the same pattern holds, as the dollar continues to go down, you'd be paying more for today's Forever Stamps than you would in the future for a "regular" stamp.
Several other countries offer the equivalent of the US Forever Stamp: the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Sweden among others. The Forever Stamps are not a bad thing for postal customers, but they'd be a bad long-term investment.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Glassine Envelopes (or just "Glassines")
Glassine envelopes are an invaluable, indispensable tool for stamp collectors. Glassine is a thin, lightweight, semi-transparent or translucent paper-type material which is fairly resistant to moisture. It's used in stamp hinges and in glassine envelopes, and unlike regular paper, it contains no chemicals that would harm stamps.
Glassine envelopes are inexpensive, widely available from stamp suppliers and come in a wide variety of sizes. Sizes range from small enough to only hold a few stamps all the way up to large enough to hold booklets, covers and many souvenir sheets. Books made of glassine leaves are also available to store full sheets of stamps. Because glassine is semi-transparent, you can see what's inside without needing to take your stamps out of their glassines.
Along with stock pages or stock books (some of which incorporate glassine pockets and/or interleaving into their design), glassine envelopes are a great way to store stamps until they're mounted onto the pages of your stamp albums, although it's not recommended to leave them in glassines for, say, 50 years.
Glassine envelopes are an invaluable, indispensable tool for stamp collectors. Glassine is a thin, lightweight, semi-transparent or translucent paper-type material which is fairly resistant to moisture. It's used in stamp hinges and in glassine envelopes, and unlike regular paper, it contains no chemicals that would harm stamps.
Glassine envelopes are inexpensive, widely available from stamp suppliers and come in a wide variety of sizes. Sizes range from small enough to only hold a few stamps all the way up to large enough to hold booklets, covers and many souvenir sheets. Books made of glassine leaves are also available to store full sheets of stamps. Because glassine is semi-transparent, you can see what's inside without needing to take your stamps out of their glassines.
Along with stock pages or stock books (some of which incorporate glassine pockets and/or interleaving into their design), glassine envelopes are a great way to store stamps until they're mounted onto the pages of your stamp albums, although it's not recommended to leave them in glassines for, say, 50 years.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Flag Over Porch Stamps - A Fascinating Study in Recent US Stamp Varieties
If you like definitive stamps and you're into finding multiple varieties of the same basic stamp design, try having a look at the 32 cent Flag Over Porch stamps issued by the United States in the mid- to later-1990s. You'll find more than enough varieties to satisfy you. The stamps are common and fairly recent so they're not hard to find, but they have more than a dozen main varieties (and many more minor varieties) to look for.
The USPS used three different printers for these stamps. Some are self-adhesive serpentine die cuts while others are lick-and-stick stamps. There are three different year date imprints - some blue, some red, for 1995, 1996 and 1997. They were printed in different formats - sheet stamps, coil stamps and booklet
stamps. They were printed using different die cut gauges and perforation gauges. And compounding it all is the sheer number of different plate numbers that were produced on the coil stamps. Distinguishing between all these types can be a philatelic challenge. For a while, new varieties of the Flag Over Porch stamps were being discovered regularly, and they still pop up from time to time. In our opinion the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue has yet to list all the varieties that have been discovered.
Entire stamp albums can and have been printed to display these fascinating stamps in all their philatelic glory.
The three printers used were Avery Dennison (AD), Stamp Venturers (SVS) and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). Avery Dennison booklet FOP stamps were the first, distinguished by a thicker "USA 32," a pale blue background and a die cut of 8.7 on 2, 3 or 4 sides. The first printing had a small blue 1995 year date imprint. It is Scott No. 2920b. Later printings bear a larger year date imprint and are Scott No. 2920. At the same time AD also printed coil stamps, die cut 8.7 vertically, with a large blue 1995 year date. Primarily sold through the US Philatelic Bureau, these stamps - Scott No. 2915 - are somewhat scarce, particularly used.
A thin "USA 32" and a blue 1995 year date characterize the initial Stamp Venturers printings. The corner of the building is not visible below the flag, and there is no partial star at the left. The first SVS printings (Scott No. 2897) were a gummed sheet stamp with a dark blue flag, perforated 10.4 (Scott No. 2897); and a gummed coil stamp with a paler flag perforated 9.8 vertically (Scott No. 2914). SVS also produced a coil stamp with die cut 11.5 vertical and a blue 1996 year date imprint. The blue of the flag on this Flag Over Porch stamp (Scott No. 2915B) is dark. And SVS also produced an experimental linerless coil stamp in 1997 (Scott No. 3133), although they are dated with a blue 1996 imprint. Die cut
9.9 vertically, the sky at right is pale, but the flag features a deep shade of blue.
The FOP stamps printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing feature a thin "USA 32." The Sky is a darker blue than used by the other printers and the curtains of the house are darker. But the main distinguishing feature of the BEP Flag Over Porch stamps is that all of them bear a red year date imprint. The first BEP FOP stamps were issued in 1995 and have a red 1995 date. They are lick and stick stamps perforated 10.8 x 9.8 on two or three sides, in booklet panes of 10 (Scott No. 2916). They exist as an imperforate error (Scott No. 2916b). Another BEP booklet stamp was printed in 1996, a self-adhesive die cut 9.8 with a red 1996 date (Scott No. 2921). And yet another BEP FOP stamp (Scott No. 2921C) bears a red 1997 year date. It was issued in booklets of 15, with one pane of 10 plus one of five with label. BEP also printed coil stamps. The first bears a red 1995 year date. Perforated 9.8 vertical, it has pronounced light blue shading in the flag (Scott No. 2913). It was reissued with shiny gum in 1997, but that stamp still has the 1995 year date. Coil stamps with die cut 9.8 were issued in 1996 and bear a 1996 year date imprint. This stamp (Scott No. 2915A) features several varieties, with straight cuts at the bottom or the top. There are also four different types of die cutting, distinguishable under magnification. Scott No. 2915C is yet a different coil variety with a 1996 year date, die cut 11 vertical, and the die cut 9.8 coil stamp was re-issued with a 1997 year date (Scott No. 2915D). It features rounded die cut corners at top and bottom, and was issued on peelable backing paper that was larger than the stamps.
Plate numbers on coils just add additional spice to the challenge that's already presented by the Flag Over Porch issue. Some, like Scott 2914, 2915, 2915B, 2915D and 3133 bear only one number. But 2913 and 2915A offer more than 10 different plate numbers. Add to that the die cut styles and the fact that some copies of 2915A have 10 or 11 teeth per side and there are some interesting and sometimes scarce combinations.
Are you confused yet? If you are, you're not the only stamp collector who is. But despite your confusion, keep in mind that the FOP stamps present a remarkable challenge to collectors, and you'll be richly rewarded if you can master their intricacies.
Author's Note. The Scott Catalogue numbers for this article are taken from the 2000 edition of Scott's United States Specialized Catalogue, printed not long after the end of printing of the Flag Over Porch stamps. Several varieties were discovered after the catalogue's printing, and several numbering changes were made in later editions, including re-categorizing some of the minor varieties of FOP stamps as major varieties.
If you like definitive stamps and you're into finding multiple varieties of the same basic stamp design, try having a look at the 32 cent Flag Over Porch stamps issued by the United States in the mid- to later-1990s. You'll find more than enough varieties to satisfy you. The stamps are common and fairly recent so they're not hard to find, but they have more than a dozen main varieties (and many more minor varieties) to look for.
The USPS used three different printers for these stamps. Some are self-adhesive serpentine die cuts while others are lick-and-stick stamps. There are three different year date imprints - some blue, some red, for 1995, 1996 and 1997. They were printed in different formats - sheet stamps, coil stamps and booklet
stamps. They were printed using different die cut gauges and perforation gauges. And compounding it all is the sheer number of different plate numbers that were produced on the coil stamps. Distinguishing between all these types can be a philatelic challenge. For a while, new varieties of the Flag Over Porch stamps were being discovered regularly, and they still pop up from time to time. In our opinion the Scott U.S. Specialized Catalogue has yet to list all the varieties that have been discovered.
Entire stamp albums can and have been printed to display these fascinating stamps in all their philatelic glory.
The three printers used were Avery Dennison (AD), Stamp Venturers (SVS) and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP). Avery Dennison booklet FOP stamps were the first, distinguished by a thicker "USA 32," a pale blue background and a die cut of 8.7 on 2, 3 or 4 sides. The first printing had a small blue 1995 year date imprint. It is Scott No. 2920b. Later printings bear a larger year date imprint and are Scott No. 2920. At the same time AD also printed coil stamps, die cut 8.7 vertically, with a large blue 1995 year date. Primarily sold through the US Philatelic Bureau, these stamps - Scott No. 2915 - are somewhat scarce, particularly used.
A thin "USA 32" and a blue 1995 year date characterize the initial Stamp Venturers printings. The corner of the building is not visible below the flag, and there is no partial star at the left. The first SVS printings (Scott No. 2897) were a gummed sheet stamp with a dark blue flag, perforated 10.4 (Scott No. 2897); and a gummed coil stamp with a paler flag perforated 9.8 vertically (Scott No. 2914). SVS also produced a coil stamp with die cut 11.5 vertical and a blue 1996 year date imprint. The blue of the flag on this Flag Over Porch stamp (Scott No. 2915B) is dark. And SVS also produced an experimental linerless coil stamp in 1997 (Scott No. 3133), although they are dated with a blue 1996 imprint. Die cut
9.9 vertically, the sky at right is pale, but the flag features a deep shade of blue.
The FOP stamps printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing feature a thin "USA 32." The Sky is a darker blue than used by the other printers and the curtains of the house are darker. But the main distinguishing feature of the BEP Flag Over Porch stamps is that all of them bear a red year date imprint. The first BEP FOP stamps were issued in 1995 and have a red 1995 date. They are lick and stick stamps perforated 10.8 x 9.8 on two or three sides, in booklet panes of 10 (Scott No. 2916). They exist as an imperforate error (Scott No. 2916b). Another BEP booklet stamp was printed in 1996, a self-adhesive die cut 9.8 with a red 1996 date (Scott No. 2921). And yet another BEP FOP stamp (Scott No. 2921C) bears a red 1997 year date. It was issued in booklets of 15, with one pane of 10 plus one of five with label. BEP also printed coil stamps. The first bears a red 1995 year date. Perforated 9.8 vertical, it has pronounced light blue shading in the flag (Scott No. 2913). It was reissued with shiny gum in 1997, but that stamp still has the 1995 year date. Coil stamps with die cut 9.8 were issued in 1996 and bear a 1996 year date imprint. This stamp (Scott No. 2915A) features several varieties, with straight cuts at the bottom or the top. There are also four different types of die cutting, distinguishable under magnification. Scott No. 2915C is yet a different coil variety with a 1996 year date, die cut 11 vertical, and the die cut 9.8 coil stamp was re-issued with a 1997 year date (Scott No. 2915D). It features rounded die cut corners at top and bottom, and was issued on peelable backing paper that was larger than the stamps.
Plate numbers on coils just add additional spice to the challenge that's already presented by the Flag Over Porch issue. Some, like Scott 2914, 2915, 2915B, 2915D and 3133 bear only one number. But 2913 and 2915A offer more than 10 different plate numbers. Add to that the die cut styles and the fact that some copies of 2915A have 10 or 11 teeth per side and there are some interesting and sometimes scarce combinations.
Are you confused yet? If you are, you're not the only stamp collector who is. But despite your confusion, keep in mind that the FOP stamps present a remarkable challenge to collectors, and you'll be richly rewarded if you can master their intricacies.
Author's Note. The Scott Catalogue numbers for this article are taken from the 2000 edition of Scott's United States Specialized Catalogue, printed not long after the end of printing of the Flag Over Porch stamps. Several varieties were discovered after the catalogue's printing, and several numbering changes were made in later editions, including re-categorizing some of the minor varieties of FOP stamps as major varieties.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Honoring Living People With Stamps
Australia Post, unlike the United States Postal Service, permits its stamps to depict living people.
Four stamps issued on January 26th (Australia Day) honor four of the country's newest "Australian Legends." All four are Hollywood film stars.
Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman and Geoffrey Rush each now have a stamp that features their likeness, issued in honor of their contribution to Australian culture and entertainment.
The postal authorities of some countries produce stamps that feature living celebrities as a means of tapping into their popular appeal and increasing stamp sales. But from an American perspective, it's odd to see.
Australia Post, unlike the United States Postal Service, permits its stamps to depict living people.
Four stamps issued on January 26th (Australia Day) honor four of the country's newest "Australian Legends." All four are Hollywood film stars.
Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman and Geoffrey Rush each now have a stamp that features their likeness, issued in honor of their contribution to Australian culture and entertainment.
The postal authorities of some countries produce stamps that feature living celebrities as a means of tapping into their popular appeal and increasing stamp sales. But from an American perspective, it's odd to see.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Auction to Benefit Australia Bush Fire Victims
In a remarkable and no doubt welcome outreach to the victims of Australia's tragic bush fires, Melbourne stamp auctioneers Prestige Philately have announced that they will hold a charity auction to raise funds for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund.
The auction will take place on Friday, March 13th.
According to a press release from Prestige Philately, "Some one thousand homes have been lost and more than 180 people are known to have perished, while dozens are in hospital. Several substantial settlements have been wiped off the map. Many other towns have been grievously affected."
"Among the deceased and the dislocated are a number of people well known in the philatelic community. One collector lost not just his home but also the three parish churches at which he ministered. A prominent philatelist and his wife have had to endure the immeasurable loss of their son and daughter-in-law, and three young grandchildren."
We applaud Prestige Philately's outreach to the victims of this terrible tragedy and hope stamp collectors around the world will support it by donating material to be sold for this worthy charity.
Donations of philatelic material to be sold at this auction must be received by Prestige Philately by the end of February. Items can be sent by registered mail to PO Box 126, Belgrave 3160 Australia or delivered to the firm's premises at Unit 2, 1630 Burwood Highway, Belgrave, Australia.
In a remarkable and no doubt welcome outreach to the victims of Australia's tragic bush fires, Melbourne stamp auctioneers Prestige Philately have announced that they will hold a charity auction to raise funds for the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund.
The auction will take place on Friday, March 13th.
According to a press release from Prestige Philately, "Some one thousand homes have been lost and more than 180 people are known to have perished, while dozens are in hospital. Several substantial settlements have been wiped off the map. Many other towns have been grievously affected."
"Among the deceased and the dislocated are a number of people well known in the philatelic community. One collector lost not just his home but also the three parish churches at which he ministered. A prominent philatelist and his wife have had to endure the immeasurable loss of their son and daughter-in-law, and three young grandchildren."
We applaud Prestige Philately's outreach to the victims of this terrible tragedy and hope stamp collectors around the world will support it by donating material to be sold for this worthy charity.
Donations of philatelic material to be sold at this auction must be received by Prestige Philately by the end of February. Items can be sent by registered mail to PO Box 126, Belgrave 3160 Australia or delivered to the firm's premises at Unit 2, 1630 Burwood Highway, Belgrave, Australia.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Yet ANOTHER Rate Increase by the United States Postal Service
Groan. They've done it again (or, at least, they're about to do it). The Governors of the USPS announced yesterday that they have approved new rates for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals (newspapers and magazines), Package Services (retail Parcel Post), and Special Services, effective May 11, 2009. The price of a First-Class Mail stamp will increase two cents to 44 cents.
Many Postal Service shipping prices were raised in January 2009 and thankfully they will not increase again in May. But in addition to the First-Class Mail stamp, other postal rates that will go up May 11 include: postcard stamps increasing by a penny - to 28 cents; the first ounce of a large envelope (flat) increases 5 cents to 88 cents; and the first ounce of a parcel increases 5 cents to $1.22. The new, increased First-Class Mail International postcard and letter rates (first ounce) are: Canada - 75 cents, Mexico - 79 cents, and other countries - 98 cents.
The likely result of these increases? We think enough is enough. There have been entirely too many rate increases lately, and they're coming faster and faster than ever. My goodness, the last postal rate hike was just last month! There is a breaking point, and we may be rapidly approaching it. People just may react by sending more emails and making more phone calls, sending fewer letters through the mail. Postal revenue may go down instead of up - the opposite effect that the USPS wants. I mean, good grief, it's now cheaper to place a telephone call to just about any country in the world - and talk for more than a few minutes, too - than it is to send a one ounce letter to the same place.
What's wrong with the USPS? They need to get as lean and mean in conducting their business as the rest of us have had to become, not price people out of using their service. USPS, you need to get much more efficient in how you do things, not raise your rates yet again. That's what makes a business successful in these hard economic times.
Groan. They've done it again (or, at least, they're about to do it). The Governors of the USPS announced yesterday that they have approved new rates for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, Periodicals (newspapers and magazines), Package Services (retail Parcel Post), and Special Services, effective May 11, 2009. The price of a First-Class Mail stamp will increase two cents to 44 cents.
Many Postal Service shipping prices were raised in January 2009 and thankfully they will not increase again in May. But in addition to the First-Class Mail stamp, other postal rates that will go up May 11 include: postcard stamps increasing by a penny - to 28 cents; the first ounce of a large envelope (flat) increases 5 cents to 88 cents; and the first ounce of a parcel increases 5 cents to $1.22. The new, increased First-Class Mail International postcard and letter rates (first ounce) are: Canada - 75 cents, Mexico - 79 cents, and other countries - 98 cents.
The likely result of these increases? We think enough is enough. There have been entirely too many rate increases lately, and they're coming faster and faster than ever. My goodness, the last postal rate hike was just last month! There is a breaking point, and we may be rapidly approaching it. People just may react by sending more emails and making more phone calls, sending fewer letters through the mail. Postal revenue may go down instead of up - the opposite effect that the USPS wants. I mean, good grief, it's now cheaper to place a telephone call to just about any country in the world - and talk for more than a few minutes, too - than it is to send a one ounce letter to the same place.
What's wrong with the USPS? They need to get as lean and mean in conducting their business as the rest of us have had to become, not price people out of using their service. USPS, you need to get much more efficient in how you do things, not raise your rates yet again. That's what makes a business successful in these hard economic times.
How Postmarks Can Affect Stamp Values
Stamp cancellations can significantly affect the value of postmarked stamps. Stamp collectors who don't collect cancels usually prefer lightly cancelled stamps with postmarks on a corner or a small portion of the stamp, so that the stamp design isn't obscured. All other things being equal, lightly cancelled stamps are ordinarily more valuable than stamps with heavy or smeared postmarks.
But the presence of cancellations themselves may increase the value of stamps. Many unused stamps are more valuable than their used counterparts. An example is the British Penny Black, which has an unused value that's almost 20 times higher than the used value. But the opposite is true for some other stamps, such as the Germany hyperinflation stamps - these have a value that's much highe if they're postally used.
Some collectors are far more interested in the cancellations than the stamps. Those stamp collectors prefer bold, clearly struck and highly legible cancellations instead of the light postmarks preferred by other collectors. It's possible to specialize in cancel collecting: you can collect the cancellations of a particular country or city, different cancels on the same stamp issue, or a specific type of cancellations, such as fancy cancels.
Stamp cancellations can significantly affect the value of postmarked stamps. Stamp collectors who don't collect cancels usually prefer lightly cancelled stamps with postmarks on a corner or a small portion of the stamp, so that the stamp design isn't obscured. All other things being equal, lightly cancelled stamps are ordinarily more valuable than stamps with heavy or smeared postmarks.
But the presence of cancellations themselves may increase the value of stamps. Many unused stamps are more valuable than their used counterparts. An example is the British Penny Black, which has an unused value that's almost 20 times higher than the used value. But the opposite is true for some other stamps, such as the Germany hyperinflation stamps - these have a value that's much highe if they're postally used.
Some collectors are far more interested in the cancellations than the stamps. Those stamp collectors prefer bold, clearly struck and highly legible cancellations instead of the light postmarks preferred by other collectors. It's possible to specialize in cancel collecting: you can collect the cancellations of a particular country or city, different cancels on the same stamp issue, or a specific type of cancellations, such as fancy cancels.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Pictorial and Slogan Cancellations
The United States Postal Service makes a distinction between special cancellations which have a caption that publicizes an event (a type of slogan cancellation), and pictorial cancellations, which contain an image.
In the United States, official pictorial cancellations are almost always applied at what's called special "stations," - post offices that are created and exist for only a very short time, often one day, at a special event. A good example of this is a Pittsburgh Steelers cover that we own. It commemorates one of Steelers' victories in the Super Bowl. It was cancelled at a special station at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh (that USPS station did not normally exist and was only created for this event) and it also is a pictorial cancel, as the text of the cancel is all within the image of a football helmet (see the picture above).
The range of subjects that are allowed for slogan cancels and pictorial cancels is pretty wide. They may even include tie-ins for commercial or marketing purposes, such as the "Happy Who-Lidays" pictorial/slogan cancel that was so widely used by the USPS a few years back.
The United States Postal Service makes a distinction between special cancellations which have a caption that publicizes an event (a type of slogan cancellation), and pictorial cancellations, which contain an image.
In the United States, official pictorial cancellations are almost always applied at what's called special "stations," - post offices that are created and exist for only a very short time, often one day, at a special event. A good example of this is a Pittsburgh Steelers cover that we own. It commemorates one of Steelers' victories in the Super Bowl. It was cancelled at a special station at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh (that USPS station did not normally exist and was only created for this event) and it also is a pictorial cancel, as the text of the cancel is all within the image of a football helmet (see the picture above).
The range of subjects that are allowed for slogan cancels and pictorial cancels is pretty wide. They may even include tie-ins for commercial or marketing purposes, such as the "Happy Who-Lidays" pictorial/slogan cancel that was so widely used by the USPS a few years back.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Types of Stamp Cancellations
- A Bullseye cancellation (also called Socked on the Nose or SOTN) is a stamp collecting term for a typically circular cancellation that was struck on or very near the center of a stamp's design. Well-struck bullseye cancels are popular with some stamp collectors because of their neat appearance.
- Cancelled-to-order stamps (also called CTOs) are stamps that have been cancelled by a postal authority, but were never used to transmit mail. They are created by postal authorities in order to sell them cheaply to stamp collectors. Many Eastern European countries and others sold great numbers of CTOs to collectors in the 1950s - 1990s strictly for revenue. CTOs still retain their original gum. Some authorities use the same canceller for all CTOs, and apply it very neatly in the corner of four stamps at one time. In some instances, the "cancellations" are actually printed as part of the stamp itself.
- Deferential cancellations are designed so as not to deface the image of the ruler or regent on the stamp.
- Fancy cancels were produced during the last half of the 19th century by postmasters in the United States and Canada. They carved or cut their own cancellers from cork or wood in various designs such as stars, circles and flags. Fancy cancels are extraordinarily popular and are highly sought after.
- First day of issue cancels (FDC cancellations) are special cancellations with the date the stamp was first issued for sale and the words "First Day of Issue" or the equivalent in the issuing country's language. Some include an illustration related to the subject of the stamp.
- Flag cancellations are a US machine cancel that uses the design of the United States flag. The stripes of the flag serve as the killer portion of the cancellation.
- Handstamped cancellations are applied by a hand stamping device rather than a machine.
- Highway post office cancels are applied in transit by portable mail handling equipment in trucks.
- Machine cancellations are added by high-speed processing machines.
- Mute cancel refers to a cancellation that includes no text and "does not speak."
- Pen cancels (or handwritten cancels) refer to the use of a writing pen to deface the stamp. They were more common in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but are still used by postal workers who notice a stamp that missed being machine cancelled.
- Pictorial cancellations include illustrations that are related to some event, person or anniversary.
- Precancels or precancelled stamps bear pre-printed cancellations. Unlike CTOs, precancelled stamps are intended for use in the mailstream and are typically used by mass mailers. Precancels typically cannot be used without a special permit so are not normally used by the general public.
- Railway post office (R.P.O.) cancels are applied on mail that's sorted on trains. They typically include information about the specific railroad and train as well as the date. The last Railway Post Office operated by the United States closed in 1977.
- Ship cancels are added to stamps that were mailed on or carried on a ship, often a steamer ship in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. They typically include information about the specific ship and sometimes the steamship line as well as the date. In French, the cancellation reads "Paquebot."
- Slogan cancellations include an advertising or patriotic slogan.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Cancellations
Many people call them postmarks, but the philatelic term is "cancellation." A cancellation (or cancel for short) is a postal marking applied on a postage stamp or a piece of postal stationery in order to deface the stamp and prevent its re-use in the mails. They come in a wide variety of styles, shapes, sizes and even a few different colors. Modern United States cancellations, as well as those from many other countries, commonly include the date and post office where the mailing took place, in addition to lines or bars designed to cover the stamp itself.
The portion of a cancellation that is designed to deface the stamp and does not contain any information is also called the "killer" or "obliteration." Some stamps are issued pre-cancelled with a printed or stamped cancellation and generally do not receive any additional cancellation. Cancellations can affect the value of stamps to collectors, either positively or negatively. The cancellations used by many countries have been extensively studied by philatelists and many stamp collectors and postal history collectors collect cancellations in addition to the stamps themselves.
We'll talk more about cancellations in the next few days.
Many people call them postmarks, but the philatelic term is "cancellation." A cancellation (or cancel for short) is a postal marking applied on a postage stamp or a piece of postal stationery in order to deface the stamp and prevent its re-use in the mails. They come in a wide variety of styles, shapes, sizes and even a few different colors. Modern United States cancellations, as well as those from many other countries, commonly include the date and post office where the mailing took place, in addition to lines or bars designed to cover the stamp itself.
The portion of a cancellation that is designed to deface the stamp and does not contain any information is also called the "killer" or "obliteration." Some stamps are issued pre-cancelled with a printed or stamped cancellation and generally do not receive any additional cancellation. Cancellations can affect the value of stamps to collectors, either positively or negatively. The cancellations used by many countries have been extensively studied by philatelists and many stamp collectors and postal history collectors collect cancellations in addition to the stamps themselves.
We'll talk more about cancellations in the next few days.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
What Are the Admirals?
Canada issued stamps (1912 and 1925) in a series that depicted Great Britain's King George V in the full dress uniform of an admiral in the Royal Navy. The series is handsomely designed, beautifully engraved, colorful with each stamp denomination being a different color, and very popular with stamp collectors. A number of varieties of the stamps exist, with different dies and plates being used to print the stamps.
The Canadian Admirals are one of the most fascinating and heavily-studied stamp issues that Canada has produced.
New Zealand (1926) and Southern Rhodesia (1924-1930) issued similar stamps.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
How to Use Stamp Hinges
Knowing how to hinge stamps into an album is an almost essential talent for all stamp collectors. Stamp hinges are the cheapest, easiest and most popular method to hold stamps in place on album pages. Typically they are are tissue-thin, semi-transparent or translucent small slips of paper that are gummed on one side. This thin layer of gum is activated by moisture, either saliva or water (but not too much!) Stamp hinges are very inexpensive, especially when compared to stamp mounts, and are perfect for beginning stamp collectors and even seasoned collectors who want to mount used stamps.
Most are sold pre-folded and creased along the fold line. With pre-folded hinges, about a quarter or a third of the hinge is folded over onto itself so that the gummed portion faces out. The crease helps the hinged stamp lay flat on the album page. The shorter portion is the stamp side, and the longer portion is adhered to the album page. Today's stamp hinges are usually considered "peelable," meaning that their gum will adhere to the stamp and the album page with just enough strength to hold the stamp to the page, but will peel away from both if required and tongs are properly used.
Here's some instructions for how to hinge a stamp:
1. Moisten the shorter side of the hinge (the portion that's folded over) and gently press it against the center portion of the upper part of the back of the stamp. Then moisten a small portion of the larger side of the hinge down toward the end (away from the folded-over part). Don't moisten any other part of the hinge: if you moisten the entire hinge, you won't be able to flip the stamp up without damaging its top perforations, so just lick a small part of it. A tiny amount of moisture is all you need, and all you want.
2. Press the longer portion of the hinge onto the album page where you want the stamp to be placed. Hold the stamp away at a 90 degree angle while you're doing this.
3. Always guard against excess moisture on the hinges and drops of moisture falling on the stamp or the album page. If you use the proper amount of moisture you shouldn't have much of a problem with this, but make sure you remove any excess moisture immediately.
That's it - now you know how to use stamp hinges to mount stamps into an album. It actually sounds a bit more complicated than it is, and once you get the hang of it - which should only take a few times - you'll hinge like a pro!
Knowing how to hinge stamps into an album is an almost essential talent for all stamp collectors. Stamp hinges are the cheapest, easiest and most popular method to hold stamps in place on album pages. Typically they are are tissue-thin, semi-transparent or translucent small slips of paper that are gummed on one side. This thin layer of gum is activated by moisture, either saliva or water (but not too much!) Stamp hinges are very inexpensive, especially when compared to stamp mounts, and are perfect for beginning stamp collectors and even seasoned collectors who want to mount used stamps.
Most are sold pre-folded and creased along the fold line. With pre-folded hinges, about a quarter or a third of the hinge is folded over onto itself so that the gummed portion faces out. The crease helps the hinged stamp lay flat on the album page. The shorter portion is the stamp side, and the longer portion is adhered to the album page. Today's stamp hinges are usually considered "peelable," meaning that their gum will adhere to the stamp and the album page with just enough strength to hold the stamp to the page, but will peel away from both if required and tongs are properly used.
Here's some instructions for how to hinge a stamp:
1. Moisten the shorter side of the hinge (the portion that's folded over) and gently press it against the center portion of the upper part of the back of the stamp. Then moisten a small portion of the larger side of the hinge down toward the end (away from the folded-over part). Don't moisten any other part of the hinge: if you moisten the entire hinge, you won't be able to flip the stamp up without damaging its top perforations, so just lick a small part of it. A tiny amount of moisture is all you need, and all you want.
2. Press the longer portion of the hinge onto the album page where you want the stamp to be placed. Hold the stamp away at a 90 degree angle while you're doing this.
3. Always guard against excess moisture on the hinges and drops of moisture falling on the stamp or the album page. If you use the proper amount of moisture you shouldn't have much of a problem with this, but make sure you remove any excess moisture immediately.
That's it - now you know how to use stamp hinges to mount stamps into an album. It actually sounds a bit more complicated than it is, and once you get the hang of it - which should only take a few times - you'll hinge like a pro!
Friday, February 06, 2009
Collecting Stamps From Dead Countries
A dead country used to issue stamps, but no longer exists as a separate stamp-issuing entity. Countries come and go throughout history, and many countries were born - and later "died" - during the 19th and 20th centuries. Some dead countries are now provinces or regions of larger countries, having been absorbed into those countries, and the stamps used in those absorbed areas are the stamps of the larger countries of which they are now a part. Other dead countries merged together to form a completely new, larger country, and their stamps are now those of the new "combined" country. And still other dead countries used to be a single country that split into two or more separate countries.
For example, many countries were killed off by the Russian Revolution and the subsequent absorption of those dead countries into the USSR, which as of 1991 is now itself a dead country and no longer issues stamps as the Soviet Union. Some of the dead countries in the area that was formerly ruled by the USSR were very short-lived and include the Far Eastern Republic, the Trancaucasian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic, the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic and Siberia.
The USSR is now itself a dead country, despite being one of the world's most prolific issuers of stamps while it existed. The same is true for Czechoslovakia, a dead country which split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, two stamp-issuing countries that came into being in 1992.
If you're confused by all this geopolitical re-arranging, you're not the only one. But dead countries present a somewhat unique opportunity for stamp collectors. A person who collects dead country stamps knows, for a fact, that he or she has a finite number of stamps to locate: only those stamps that were issued up until the date the country "died." No more will be issued in the future for that country. So there's no need to constantly buy new issues or try to keep up with the plethora of stamps being issued nowadays. Dead countries represent a finite beginning and a finite end.
A dead country used to issue stamps, but no longer exists as a separate stamp-issuing entity. Countries come and go throughout history, and many countries were born - and later "died" - during the 19th and 20th centuries. Some dead countries are now provinces or regions of larger countries, having been absorbed into those countries, and the stamps used in those absorbed areas are the stamps of the larger countries of which they are now a part. Other dead countries merged together to form a completely new, larger country, and their stamps are now those of the new "combined" country. And still other dead countries used to be a single country that split into two or more separate countries.
For example, many countries were killed off by the Russian Revolution and the subsequent absorption of those dead countries into the USSR, which as of 1991 is now itself a dead country and no longer issues stamps as the Soviet Union. Some of the dead countries in the area that was formerly ruled by the USSR were very short-lived and include the Far Eastern Republic, the Trancaucasian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic, the Russian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic and Siberia.
The USSR is now itself a dead country, despite being one of the world's most prolific issuers of stamps while it existed. The same is true for Czechoslovakia, a dead country which split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, two stamp-issuing countries that came into being in 1992.
If you're confused by all this geopolitical re-arranging, you're not the only one. But dead countries present a somewhat unique opportunity for stamp collectors. A person who collects dead country stamps knows, for a fact, that he or she has a finite number of stamps to locate: only those stamps that were issued up until the date the country "died." No more will be issued in the future for that country. So there's no need to constantly buy new issues or try to keep up with the plethora of stamps being issued nowadays. Dead countries represent a finite beginning and a finite end.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Some Food For Thought On Collecting Stamps
Where is philately headed? Are postal administrations going to kill off the postage stamp as being too expensive to produce? Will the value of collectible stamps go through the roof because of this? Will philately itself become extinct? Where will philately be in 50 years?
Our thoughts are that stamp collecting will be around for a long time, even if stamps are no longer produced sometime in the future.
1. Adhesive postage stamps have existed for almost 170 years - since 1840. Millions of collectible stamps from the 1800s still exist, and many stamp collectors still avidly desire stamps that were produced 100 or more years ago. We believe that will still be the case even if countries stop printing new stamps in the future.
2. If new stamps are no longer produced, this may well make existing postage stamps even more desirable than they are now. If that occurs, the values of collectible stamps will rise as a function of supply and demand.
The main problem for stamp collectors going forward is that nowadays, stamps rarely turn up on letters and parcels any more, as post offices prefer to stick cheaper, computer-generated labels on them when the people mailing them bring them in to the post office to be franked and mailed. And in many cases, when stamps are used, they are the same definitives over and over again. Commemorative stamps are just as attractive as they ever have been, but hardly anyone uses them. Another problem for collectors are the peel-and-stick self-adhesive stamps. Some are almost impossible to soak off paper, while the better ones are merely difficult.
Does anyone have an opinion on this situation?
Where is philately headed? Are postal administrations going to kill off the postage stamp as being too expensive to produce? Will the value of collectible stamps go through the roof because of this? Will philately itself become extinct? Where will philately be in 50 years?
Our thoughts are that stamp collecting will be around for a long time, even if stamps are no longer produced sometime in the future.
1. Adhesive postage stamps have existed for almost 170 years - since 1840. Millions of collectible stamps from the 1800s still exist, and many stamp collectors still avidly desire stamps that were produced 100 or more years ago. We believe that will still be the case even if countries stop printing new stamps in the future.
2. If new stamps are no longer produced, this may well make existing postage stamps even more desirable than they are now. If that occurs, the values of collectible stamps will rise as a function of supply and demand.
The main problem for stamp collectors going forward is that nowadays, stamps rarely turn up on letters and parcels any more, as post offices prefer to stick cheaper, computer-generated labels on them when the people mailing them bring them in to the post office to be franked and mailed. And in many cases, when stamps are used, they are the same definitives over and over again. Commemorative stamps are just as attractive as they ever have been, but hardly anyone uses them. Another problem for collectors are the peel-and-stick self-adhesive stamps. Some are almost impossible to soak off paper, while the better ones are merely difficult.
Does anyone have an opinion on this situation?
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
US Mail Delivery Cutbacks?
The Washington Post reports, "In testimony before a Senate subcommittee ... , Postmaster General John 'Jack' Potter said the post office may be forced to cut back to five-day delivery for the first time in the agency's history, citing rising costs and an ongoing decline in mail made worse by the global recession. The potential move, which would have to be approved by Congress and postal officials, could mean the elimination of mail on either Saturdays or Tuesdays, the system's slowest days, postal officials said."
Washington Post reporter Dan Eggen writes, "For much of its early history, the post office delivered mail seven days a week, including twice-a-day stops in some cities. The switch to six-day service came in 1912, when the agency eliminated Sunday delivery due to objections from Christian groups."
We think that the USPS would do better by cutting their expenses rather than cutting their services. Have you ever thought about how much money the USPS spends every day by giving out free priority mail and express mail envelopes, boxes, tape and labels? Or by giving out the elaborate packages that they provide for use when a person moves to a different address? There are other examples of what we would call "inefficiencies" or even "waste" at post offices.
Maybe the USPS should cut back on those rather than reducing its services.
The Washington Post reports, "In testimony before a Senate subcommittee ... , Postmaster General John 'Jack' Potter said the post office may be forced to cut back to five-day delivery for the first time in the agency's history, citing rising costs and an ongoing decline in mail made worse by the global recession. The potential move, which would have to be approved by Congress and postal officials, could mean the elimination of mail on either Saturdays or Tuesdays, the system's slowest days, postal officials said."
Washington Post reporter Dan Eggen writes, "For much of its early history, the post office delivered mail seven days a week, including twice-a-day stops in some cities. The switch to six-day service came in 1912, when the agency eliminated Sunday delivery due to objections from Christian groups."
We think that the USPS would do better by cutting their expenses rather than cutting their services. Have you ever thought about how much money the USPS spends every day by giving out free priority mail and express mail envelopes, boxes, tape and labels? Or by giving out the elaborate packages that they provide for use when a person moves to a different address? There are other examples of what we would call "inefficiencies" or even "waste" at post offices.
Maybe the USPS should cut back on those rather than reducing its services.
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