Philosateleia
Kevin Blackston
PO Box 217
Floresville TX 78114-0217
United States of America

Philosateleian Blog

Canvey Island Local Post issues four stamps in 2023

A recent mailing from fellow Local Post Collectors Society member Paul W. brought several Canvey Island Local Post stamps to my mailbox, including four issued this year alone.

The first of the stamps was issued May 6 in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III. Canvey Island Local Post printed 200 copies of the stamp.

Canvey Island Local Post King Charles III stamp
Canvey Island Local Post King Charles III stamp

On June 24, Canvey Island Local Post issued a commemorative stamp for United Kingdom Armed Forces Day. The design pictures a soldier carrying a rifle along with the Union Jack. Only 75 copies were issued.

Canvey Island Local Post Armed Forces Day stamp
Canvey Island Local Post Armed Forces Day stamp

Next up was a stamp issued July 6 to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the National Health Service. The design pictures Aneurin Bevan, who was instrumental in the agency’s creation. The original stamp was issued for the 70th anniversary of the NHS in 2018; the new stamp has “2018” crossed out by a handstamped “XX” in blue with “75” overprinted in red. Only 34 copies were so overprinted, which could make this a particularly challenging stamp to find in either mint or used condition.

Canvey Island Local Post National Health Service stamp
Canvey Island Local Post National Health Service stamp

Finally, we come to Canvey Island Local Post’s most recent release: the first stamp in the issuer’s new Famous Aviators series. The stamp pictures Geoffrey de Havilland and a DH 108 tailless jet that broke up mid-flight near Canvey Island in 1946. The stamp was issued September 27.

Canvey Island Local Post Geoffrey de Havilland stamp
Canvey Island Local Post Geoffrey de Havilland stamp

Once again, lots of new material from this English local post, and I’m delighted to be able to share it with you. Thanks to Paul for sharing copies of his latest work with me!

Another donation from a longtime supporter

I’ve been terribly tardy about acknowledging it, but longtime supporter Suzanne M. last month sent a cash gift to help out with Philosateleia’s expenses. This is not by any means the first time Suzanne has chipped in to help pay for my web hosting bills, and I just wanted to publicly acknowledge her contribution and say “thank you” once again.

Other than the time I invest in this website and in keeping The Philosateleian U.S. Stamp Album updated, my expenses are relatively low; I’m not forgoing meals or anything to make this happen. If you would like to help, however, I’ve shared details on what you can do to show your support!

San Diego Local Post issues flower souvenir sheet

As I continue to work through the pile of material in my mail tray, I’ve rediscovered a souvenir sheet that I received a few weeks ago. San Diego Local Post issued the sheet containing six stamps picturing various flowers during the Great American Stamp Show in August.

San Diego Local Post Great American Stamp Show souvenir sheet
San Diego Local Post Great American Stamp Show souvenir sheet

I have to admit that I’d seen SDLP’s souvenir sheet design earlier this year because Philosateleian Post printed and perforated it! I wasn’t involved in the design process, but I consider it an honor to be involved in the production process for this and other local post and cinderella stamps.

If you’ve been considering creating your own stamps but don’t have a way to perforate them, please keep Philosateleian Post’s services in mind.

Adanaland Hedge Fund stamp promotes keeping real world out

I recently received a letter from Alan B. of Adanaland fame, and inside he enclosed several copies of a non-denominated Adanaland Hedge Fund cinderella stamp. Across the bottom of the stamp is the wording, “Support the national hedge to keep the real world out.”

Adanaland Hedge Fund stamp
Adanaland Hedge Fund stamp

There’s something about that sentiment that sounds very appealing some days…but I digress.

Alan notes that the roses are near the top edge of the green stripe across the stamp, whereas a previous printing of the stamp had them near the bottom edge of the green stripe. I don’t think I’ve seen a copy of the original, but it’s something to look for in the future.

More BREs from JDRF, Helen Keller International

Just when I thought I was caught up on business reply envelopes, a couple more arrived that are worth mentioning here.

The first is a very much oversized BRE distributed in an October 2023 fundraising mailing from JDRF. This envelope has three identical preprinted stamp-sized images of a bluebird. Oddly, the border of the image is offset toward the lower right corner of the white block surrounding it. If these were real stamps, I’d call them poorly centered.

JDRF business reply envelope bearing three preprinted stamp-sized bluebird designs
JDRF business reply envelope with bluebird designs

The other BRE arrived in a mailing from Helen Keller International, and bears two different stamp-sized images based on photographs of Helen Keller herself.

Helen Keller International business reply envelope bearing two preprinted stamp-sized designs
Helen Keller International business reply envelope with stamp-sized designs

The basic designs were previously used on envelopes enclosed in mailings in July 2021 and July 2022; however, I have not seen the left image used with “Helen Keller” printed on it, and the copy of the right image that was previously used had either no wording or had “Helen Keller” printed on two separate lines instead of on a single line.

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