Prickly pear cactus on new Philosateleian Post stamp
Turning its attention to Texas flora, Floresville-based Philosateleian Post will soon release a local post stamp picturing the prickly pear cactus.
The 1-stamp stamp is scheduled to be issued May 14, 2025.
Philosateleian Post Prickly Pear Cactus stamp
The cactus shown on Philosateleian Post’s new stamp is a “spineless” variety, but many prickly pears have long spines. The prickly pear produces colorful flowers, and both the green leaves (or nopal) and fruit (“tuna”) can be eaten once the spines are removed.
“I’ve remarked that there are two types of vegetation suitable for South Texas: cactus and rocks,” says Philosateleian Post’s proprietor, Kevin Blackston. “The prickly pear pictured on my new stamp is part of a stand in our back yard, and it’s about as local as I can get.”
Technical Specifications
Format: sheets of 63 (7×9). Plate number: P250209. Design size: 23×23 mm. Overall size: 26×26 mm. Separation method: perforated 12. Adhesive: water-activated dry gum. Printing method: laser.
Philatelic Services
To receive a mint single of Philosateleian Post’s Prickly Pear Cactus stamp, or for first day cover service, send either $2 or a self-addressed stamped envelope and your request to:
Kevin Blackston
Philosateleian Post
PO Box 217
Floresville TX 78114-0217
United States of America
Harriet Wilson honored with pair of Purgatory Post stamps
It was just last week that I wrote about Purgatory Post’s Maid of the Isles stamp issued earlier in March. I’ve received another pair of stamps from the New Hampshire-based local post, this time honoring novelist Harriet E. Wilson (1825–1900).
The 10-sola stamps were issued March 15.
Purgatory Post Harriet E. Wilson stamps
Wilson was born in Milford, New Hampshire, the same location out of which Purgatory Post operates, in March 1825. While living in Boston in the middle of the 19th century, she wrote a book based on her life as an indentured servant. It was the first American novel written by an African American woman and, so far as is known, the only one Wilson wrote.
One of the stamps issued by Purgatory Post features an image of Wilson, while the other depicts a statue erected in her honor in Milford’s Bicentennial Park early in the 21st century.
I like how this subject is very much relevant to Purgatory Post’s geographical area. That’s one of the great things about local posts: we can create stamps featuring subjects that might not garner national attention but that have local relevance.
Business reply envelope features CARE-themed design
Just a quick post this evening to share the only new business reply envelope that arrived in last week’s mail. It was included in a mailing from CARE.
This BRE has three preprinted copies of a stamp-sized design featuring an illustration of two clasped hands forming the shape of a heart. The design has an orange background with the domain name “care.org” in white plus a black border intended to mimic perforations.
CARE business reply envelope with stamp-sized care.org designs
I like that these designs are made to look like stamps, and that they have an actual connection to the sender rather than being generic flowers and butterflies. It’s a nice touch.
Purgatory Post honors Maid of the Isles with new stamp
The newest stamp from Purgatory Post continues the New Hampshire local post’s occasional series picturing the steamships that have plied the waters of Lake Winnipesaukee. The 6-sola stamp issued March 6 features an illustration of the Maid of the Isles, which was launched in 1877.
Purgatory Post Maid of the Isles stamp
The Maid of the Isles had a rather eventful history. The ship cost $16,000 to build, but was sold for just $50 after it sank early during its career. It later sank and was raised again, but in 1914, the steamship was set on fire by arsonists and sank for a third and final time.
Purgatory Post operator Scott A. included some notes about the Maid of the Isles, and I was interested to note the buyer who paid $50 for the vessel had the last name Blackstone. That’s not the same spelling as my last name—mine has no “e” at the end of it—but perhaps there were some common ancestors way up the family tree!
As I continue working through mail received last week, I thought you might enjoy seeing this creation from Adanaland’s Alan B. The uncaptioned design features a caricature of a grumpy man.
Grumpy man cinderella stamp with faux barcode
As you can see, the checkerboard pattern along the right edge of the stamp is not a genuine barcode, only an imitation, but the finished product is obviously inspired by recent barcoded United Kingdom stamps.
So far as I know, Alan is not using this cinderella on any outgoing mail, but keep an eye open; you never know where one might turn up!
