Purgatory Post commemorates Winnie-the-Pooh’s centennial
New Hampshire’s Purgatory Post on February 29 commemorated the centennial of the beloved bear Winnie-the-Pooh. The 6-sola stamp features two illustrations of Winnie-the-Pooh—accompanied by Piglet in one—as well as a photo of author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher Robin, after whom the boy in the stories is named.
Purgatory Post Winnie-the-Pooh Centennial stamp
The first reference to Winnie-the-Pooh appeared in a February 1924 edition of Punch, and he later appeared in other magazines and books. To modern audiences, the Walt Disney version of Pooh wearing a red shirt is probably best known, and I’m quite certain that was the earliest version of which I was aware.
I know this because of a small book that I have on display in my home office, Winnie-the-Pooh and the Pebble Hunt. Judging by the inscription inside the front cover, I think it was probably one of my first books, being presented to me by Uncle Ronnie and Aunt Wileen when I was less than 16 months old.
Winnie-the-Pooh and the Pebble Hunt
The book reminds me of dear friends who are no longer with us, and Purgatory Post operator Scott A.’s new stamp reminded me of the book. Very nice.
My post office box contained several interesting items when I checked it last Thursday, and I plan to share them with you over the next few days. The first is this postcard from Jamos C., the operator of Angeles City Local Post in Angeles City, Philippines. It bears a copy of a 1-peso local post stamp.
Angeles City Local Post Sisig stamp on postcardAngeles City Local Post Sisig stamp
The text within the design reads “sisig”; when I enter that in Google Translate, it returns a translation of “head cheese,” which Wikipedia further defines as a cold cut terrine or meat jelly. Doesn’t really sound like my sort of food, but it does probably explain the presence of the pig in the lower right corner of the stamp.
I don’t have any other information (such as first day of issue and so forth) about this local post stamp, but I’m quite certain I don’t have many local post stamps from that part of the world—and no others picturing this particular dish.
Didn’t we just start 2024? Yet here we are, already into March! And that means there are already a couple of months’ worth of new stamps that need spaces in our albums.
Preprinted BRE designs feature simulated stamp die cuts
It was only earlier this month that I wrote about a business reply envelope from Navigators with a cinderella label affixed to it. Today I received another noteworthy BRE from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, this one with preprinted designs featuring a variety of Jewish symbols and simulated preprinted die cuts.
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews business reply envelope with preprinted stamp-sized designs
While business reply envelopes with preprinted designs are far from uncommon these days—they still don’t show up in the majority of nonprofit mailings I receive, but there are certainly examples to be found—most of those designs are stamp-sized without attempting to look like actual stamps. The designs on this example are exceptions.
Adding some pizzazz to APS business reply referral cards
In addition to selling a few odds and ends through Philosateleia’s own online shop, I occasionally make sales via eBay and Etsy, and I make sure to enclose an American Philatelic Society business reply referral card with each and every lot shipped. It’s an easy way to promote the largest philatelic organization in the United States.
On each referral card, there’s space to write in my name and APS member number. I got to thinking, though: wouldn’t it be neat to be able to do something with a little more pizzazz?
With that idea in mind, I’ve created a perforated label to use on the referral cards I distribute.
APS member referral labelAPS member referral label on business reply postcard
Measuring approximately 1.75″×1″, this label is the perfect size to fit the empty space on the back of the referral card. My design is simple, perhaps even utilitarian, but I’m pleased with the finished product.
If you could use some of these with your own name and APS member number on them, head over to my Etsy store. And if you’re not a member of the American Philatelic Society but would like to learn more, let me know and I’ll be happy to send a referral card your way!
