Shriners Children’s distributes BRE with images featuring pumpkin, leaves
As is usually the case, there was a big stack of mail awaiting when my daughter and I went to check our post office box yesterday, but none of the pieces of nonprofit mail contained any business reply envelopes I hadn’t seen previously.
One such item did arrive at our home address this week, however, an envelope from Shriners Children’s. It’s relatively small and has two preprinted stamp-sized images depicting a pumpkin with fall leaves.
Shriners Children’s business reply envelope with preprinted stamp-sized pumpkin & leaves designs
Not the most exciting piece of mail I’ve ever seen, but at least it’s something new!
Shriners, St. Joseph’s Indian School distribute BREs with Christmas-themed designs
Yesterday, I wrote about a couple of new local post stamps I’ve received. Today, I have a couple of business reply envelopes to share.
The first of the envelopes comes from Shriners Children’s and features three preprinted stamp-sized illustrations picturing Santa Claus, a reindeer, and a pickup truck with a Christmas tree in its bed.
Shriners Children’s business reply envelope with preprinted stamp-sized Christmas designs
I thought I’d seen this particular set of images in the past, but despite using the same subjects (Santa, a reindeer, and a vehicle transporting a Christmas tree) on a BRE enclosed in an August 2025 mailing, that envelope featured a different set of artwork.
The second of the envelopes arrived just today from St. Joseph’s Indian School. It has three copies of an illustration featruing a stack of presents and the caption “Merry Christmas.”
St. Joseph’s Indian School business reply envelope with preprinted stamp-sized Christmas designs
And with that, I think we’re all caught up on stuff that has been sitting in my mail tray.
Rocky Mountains, George Martin featured on new local post stamps
I have a couple of relatively recent local post stamps to share with you today.
The first is a .01 dwt Au stamp released by the Rocky Mountain Stamp Show Ghost Post in celebration of the 75th annual Rocky Mountain Stamp Show held in May 2026. The stamp’s design, which was produced with the aid of AI, features an idealized view of the Rocky Mountains, and fits right into my collection of landscapes on stamps.
Rocky Mountain Stamp Show Ghost Post 75th Annual Stamp Show stamp
The second item I wanted to share comes from New Hampshire-based Purgatory Post, and it celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Sir George Martin (1926–2016). Martin is best known for his association with The Beatles, and was unofficially referred to as the “fifth Beatle” due to his involvement in producing each of their albums, a nickname to which the stamp’s 5-sola denomination alludes.
Purgatory Post George Martin stamp
Purgatory Post issued its George Martin stamp October 16.
Cinderella stamps celebrate World Postcard Day, Yayoi Kusama
One of the pieces of mail I received last week was a letter from longtime correspondent Donovan Beeson. Donovan included a couple of her newest stamp creations, and I wanted to share them here just in case you happen to run across any of them in the wild.
The first item is a block of five cinderella stamps featuring an elliptical projection and the denomination “10” with attached labels celebrating World Postcard Day, which took place October 1.
Donovan’s World Postcard Day stamps
The second item is a strip of five labels celebrating the life of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (1929–2026). Kusama was known for including polka dots in various pieces of her work, and each of Donovan’s labels has polka dots on it. They’re not just printed polka dots, but red circle stickers Donovan applied to the paper before printing and perforating. That’s a really neat idea!
Donovan’s Yayoi Kusama stamps
Thanks to Donovan for sharing her newest creations!
APS offers 25% off first year dues for new members
I wrote earlier this year about receiving a certificate recognizing my 25 years of membership in the American Philatelic Society. It was a bit of a milestone for me and should give you an idea of just how long I’ve been involved in the hobby.
If you’re not already an American Philatelic Society member, now is a great time to join. In celebration of its 140th anniversary, APS is running a special promotion offering you 25% off regular membership rates. For United States residents, that means saving $11.25 off your first year’s membership. (If you live outside the U.S., you save even more!)
To take advantage of this offer, visit the APS 140th Anniversary New Membership Special page and click one of the join buttons. On the application form, you can enter my member number (198084) when asked who referred you—and be sure to enter discount code APS140 in the appropriate box to ensure you get the special membership rate!
