PhilosateleiaUSPS offers sneak peek of 2012 stamps
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 (posted by Philatelius at 12:46 pm)
We still have over four months left in 2011, but the USPS is already beginning to unveil some of the new commemorative designs coming next year.
By following 2012 Stamp Preview: A Stamp a Day, you can keep up with all the new stamps planned for next year. So far two issues have been unveiled: a fanciful two-stamp design picturing cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., and a stamp honoring Edgar Rice Burroughs, who is best known for his “Tarzan” character featured over the years in numerous books, radio and television shows, and other media.
In past years, the USPS has released a more comprehensive list of upcoming issues later in the year. What do you think of this new project?
USPS unveils 2011 commemorative stamp program
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 (posted by Philatelius at 12:51 pm)
As 2010 draws to a close, the USPS is showing off its planned commemorative stamp designs for 2011. As previously announced, all of the new designs will be “forever” stamps.
Among the subjects being honored are actor Gregory Peck, astronaut Alan Shepard, and author Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). President Ronald Reagan gets another commemorative stamp on what would have been his 100th birthday, while the centennial of the Indianapolis 500 is also recognized.
The long-running Purple Heart and “Celebrate!” designs are being refreshed, and the next of the Flags of Our Nation coils is scheduled to go on sale, too.
Overall, I’m not a huge fan of the art styles used for many of 2011’s commemorative stamps, but there are a few highlights. My personal favorites are Owney, the postal dog; the Civil War souvenir sheet; and the Toy Story stamp from the Pixar series. The Pixar series appalls the “traditionalist” part of me that looks fondly on stamps honoring national leaders, historical figures, and so forth, but how can you not love a stamp that features the Little Green Men?!
My predictions for stamps that will be all but impossible to find used: Latin musicians, American industrial design, and the Civil War commemoratives. I could be wrong on these, but my experience in recent years has been that it is very, very difficult to get a full used set of stamps from souvenir sheets and larger sets. Putting together a collection of these items used on commercial covers could be even more challenging.
What do you think of next year’s commemorative stamps? Take a look at the designs, then share your impressions in the comments section below.
A stamp is forever
Thursday, December 16, 2010 (posted by Philatelius at 7:37 pm)
Could 1¢ and 2¢ stamps be on the endangered species list? Such an idea may seem laughable, but it’s no longer unthinkable with the USPS announcing today that all 2011 commemorative stamps will be “forever” stamps.
If you live in the U.S., you’re no doubt familiar with the Liberty Bell forever stamps introduced in 2007, which will always be valid at the current first-class rate regardless of how much the cost of mailing a letter increases. But until now, only a handful of definitives and some of this year’s holiday stamps have received that designation.
The official announcement regarding the change states that the Liberty Bell stamps now constitute the majority of first-class stamp sales, but there’s also a potential financial benefit for the struggling post office. As David Failor, executive director of stamp services, explains, the USPS will no longer have to destroy unused stamps. What’s printed can simply remain on sale until supplies are exhausted, which actually makes sense.
While some denominated stamps will still be necessary for paying the postage on a second ounce, for example, or the non-machinable surcharge, the lowest value definitives would seem to become all but useless. If all first-class stamps are forever stamps, then there will never be any need to add a penny or two of postage to reach the current rate. It will be interesting to see where the postal service goes with this.
What do you think of the change? Will you miss denominated commemoratives, or do you think it’s high time the postal service made this move?
