Taking a look at Philosateleian Post’s USA’s 250th Birthday stamp on FDC
It has been nearly a week since I released Philosateleian Post’s stamp celebrating the USA’s 250th birthday, and nearly a week since my daughter pulled the first day cover I mailed myself from our post office box, and today I’m finally getting to share it with you!
Philosateleia 1s United States of America 250th Birthday first day cover
I thought the Bald Eagle stamps the USPS issued earlier this year would compliment my flag stamp quite nicely. As you can see, I postmarked the US postage using my mailer’s postmark.
It’s very common for my local post stamps to end up with some sort of damage after traveling through the mail, but the stamp on this FDC appears to have survived unscathed. What a nice surprise!
14¢ American Indian turns up on first flight cover mailed to South Dakota
It feels like it has been a long time since I added anything to my collection of 14¢ American Indian stamps on cover. I recently spotted a cover on eBay, however, that caught my attention.
Mailed from Reno, Nevada, to Washington, D.C., this envelope was carried on the first CAM 18 route flight between Reno and Watertown, South Dakota.
14¢ American Indian cover carried on CAM 18 flight to Watertown, South Dakota
I haven’t been able to find anything definite about the addressee, but the postmaster who autographed the cover, George Smith, apparently had some political connections. He served at least informally as an advisor on post office matters to one of Nevada’s United States Senators.
While this is obviously a philatelic solo use of the American Indian stamp, the price was right. Including taxes and shipping, I paid $2.19 for this envelope. That’s easily the least I’ve ever paid to add a 14¢ cover of any sort to my collection!
Southern Poverty Law Center BRE features Statue of Liberty, DC landmarks
As the first half of 2026 draws to a close, I have one more business reply envelope to share with you. This one arrived this week in a mailing from the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The three preprinted stamp-sized designs on the envelope depict the Statue of Liberty with the word “FAIRNESS”; the Washington Monument with the word “JUSTICE”; and the United States Capitol with the word “EQUALITY.”
Southern Poverty Law Center business reply envelope with preprinted patriotic designs
Searching my archives, I don’t see that my family has ever received a BRE with faux postage on it from this particular organization. One more for the box…
During my time at college, there was one day when I was in the campus library that I ran across a copy of The American Philatelist. Although I had been collecting stamps since I was a preteen, I wasn’t familiar with the American Philatelic Society, but I was intrigued by the idea of being part of a big club of stamp collectors, and I promptly applied to join.
Many moons have passed since that time, and the APS staff recently mailed me a certificate recognizing my 25 consecutive years of membership. (I understand 25-year members who were able to attend Boston 2026 received their certificates at the show.)
American Philatelic Society 25 Year Member certificate
Some might question the value of being a member of the APS, and it’s probably a fair question to ask. Here’s how I look at it: the APS is the biggest organization promoting stamp collecting in the United States. I’ve benefitted a great deal from philately over the years—not financially, but educationally, from what the various things the hobby has taught me, and if the APS’s efforts to promote stamp collecting result in someone else getting the same enjoyment from the hobby, then my modest annual membership dues are money well spent.
I don’t remember exactly when it arrived in my mailbox—probably last week I’m guessing—but this business reply envelope has been sitting in my mail tray waiting for me to write about it…so here it is!
Arriving in a mailing from the nonprofit Breathrough T1D, the front of this lavender-colored BRE (and yes, I did consult my wife to confirm what color to call this) has three preprinted stamp-sized designs picturing various flowers on it.
Breakthrough T1D business reply envelope with preprinted flower designs
Not the most exciting of philatelic items, but the use of that particular shade of paper does stand out a little bit from most of the business reply envelopes I receive.
