I seem to recall seeing at least a couple of columns in the American Philatelist and other hobby publications over the years regarding stamps with humorous postmarks. Some of the most innocuous cancellations can become quite eye-catching if they land just so on a stamp.
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about. Thanks to how the Energy Awareness Month cancellation landed right on top of this Janis Joplin stamp, it almost looks like Janis has a giant hand that she’s extending to flip the light switch just to the left of the stamp. Janis, you see, is all for conserving electricity.
Energy Awareness Month cancellation on Janis Joplin stamp
What’s the grooviest (or funniest) postmark and stamp combination that you’ve ever seen?
If you don’t subscribe to the Philosateleian Post Horn, you may have missed the news that my wife and I recently welcomed our first child, a little girl we’ve named Hadassah. We’re very excited to have her here, and there’s already a Philosateleian Post stamp commemorating her birth. Here’s one of the first day covers mailed on October 22.
H.R.H. Princess Hadassah FDC
If you have children, you no doubt understand that the past few weeks have been absolutely packed for us as we’ve begun adjusting to having a little one to take care of. We’re still alive and well, though, and I plan to add some new material to Philosateleia as time permits.
The USPS seems to have scheduled fewer new issues over the past three months than was the case earlier this year, which gives us collectors a bit of a breather. Still, with some updates to past series, there are several pages in this supplement that you’ll want to be sure to update.
Diamond-shaped Philosateleian Post stamp planned for this fall
As the weekend draws to a close, I have a bit of a teaser for you, dear reader. Philosateleian Post will release its first ever diamond-shaped local post stamp this fall, most likely in October or early November.
The new stamp’s design has not yet been finalized, and I haven’t formally announced what’s being commemorated, but here’s a sneak peek at the frame:
Diamond-shaped Philosateleian Post stamp
You are, of course, welcome to speculate on what this all means. If you would like to receive a copy of the new stamp when it’s available, just send a self-addressed stamped envelope to the address listed on my contact page.
New Purgatory Post stamp commemorates Panama Canal centennial
I checked my post office box yesterday, and inside was a cover bearing a copy of the latest local post stamp from Scott A.’s Purgatory Post:
Purgatory Post Panama Canal Centennial stamp
The stamp, which celebrates the centennial of the opening of the Panama Canal, depicts the SS Ancon, which on August 15, 1914—exactly 100 years ago today—became the first ship to officially pass through the canal. (According to Wikipedia, two other vessels had actually already made the trip through Central America, but the Ancon gets credit for it.)
The frame of Scott’s new stamp makes me think of some of the United States commemoratives from the late 1900s on up until the mid 1920s, with big, solid labels accentuated by scroll work on the sides. I’m happy to add this one to my collection.
