Bat’s Private Post memorializes Queen Elizabeth II
For me—and probably for a lot of other people—Queen Elizabeth II was always the Queen of England. I know that history says otherwise, but she had been on the throne for over three decades before I was even born. No human lives forever, but it’s still strange to think that she is no longer the monarch.
Beverly Hills-based Bat’s Private Post was to the best of my knowledge the first stamp producer to release a Queen Elizabeth memorial stamp. Bat’s issued a 65¢ stamp picturing the Queen on September 8, the same day she died.
Bat’s Private Post Queen Elizabeth II stamp on postcard
A copy of the new stamp is tied to the postcard pictured above by a September 8 Bat’s Private Post postmark and a Los Angeles, California, machine cancellation dated September 9.
The 65¢ denomination covers Bat’s Private Post’s normal rate for a domestic letter for which Bat’s supplies United States postage. In the pictured usage, it overpays the normal Bat’s Private Post postcard rate of 49¢, but considering the quick turnaround required to prepare and release this stamp, unorthodox uses might almost be expected.
Navigators business reply envelope bears baskets of apples
The most recent business reply envelope to come into my possession this week was in a mailing addressed not to me, but to my wife.
The envelope was part of a fundraising pleas from Navigators, and has three preprinted stamp-sized images picturing a basket of apples.
Navigators business reply envelope
Interestingly, although the same artwork is used on all three images, the basket is larger on the first image than on the other two. The second and third images have the same artwork mirrored, but the borders are different colors. I suppose the graphic designer must have wanted to mix things up a little bit.
Bat’s Private Post commemorates Rudolph Valentino Memorial
On August 23, 2022, Bat’s Private Post in Beverly Hills, California, issued a set of five stamps commemorating the 95th Rudolph Valentino Memorial Service. The first annual service held in remembrance of Valentino (1895–1926) was conducted in 1927, exactly one year after the Hollywood legend’s death.
Bat’s Private Post 95th Rudolph Valentino Memorial Service stamps
A 5¢ stamp covering Bat’s Private Post local postage to the USPS pictures roses traditionally left at Valentino’s grave, while 49¢, 65¢, and $1 stamps all picture the actor himself. The 65¢ stamp comes in two varieties: one in purple, and one in black labeled “OFFICIAL” and valid only for use for Bat’s Private Post official business.
The 49¢ stamp covers Bat’s Private Post and USPS postage for a domestic postcard; the 65¢ stamps, for a domestic letter; and the $1.45 stamp, for an international letter or postcard.
In addition to the stamps, Bat’s Private Post issed a 49¢ postal card with an imprinted design picturing Valentino. According to a press release, copies of the postal card are being sold at $2 each, the price of which includes applicable United States postage.
Bat’s Private Post 95th Rudolph Valentino Memorial Service postal card
The United States Postal Service has been busy recently, issuing three dozen new postage stamps over the past three months. That means it’s time to update our stamp albums again, and you can do that with the Fall 2022 Supplement (166 KB, 3 files, 7 pages) for The Philosateleian U.S. Stamp Album. It contains spaces for all those new stamps plus the 2022 federal hunting permit or “duck” stamp.
Looking forward, I anticipate soon being able to release a set of pages for Philosateleian Post local post stamps, and I’m in the process of creating pages for a few more categories of revenue or fiscal stamps. Yes, The Philosateleian continues to grow.
I hope you enjoy this newest update, and thank you as always for your support!
Purgatory Post commemorates extra long wooden covered bridge
Purgatory Post earlier this month released its latest stamp in a series commemorating the covered bridges of New Hampshire. The 20-sola stamp depicting the Cornish-Windsor Bridge was issued August 10.
Purgatory Post 20-sola Cornish-Windsor Bridge stamp
The stamp’s vignette is black while the frame is to my eyes a shade of teal or aquamarine.
At just a few inches under 450 feet long, the Cornish-Windsor Bridge was for many years the longest wooden covered bridge in the United States. It spans the Connecticut River between New Hampshire and Vermont.1
The Cornish-Windsor Bridge was built in 1866 for $9,000. Various maintenance and renovation projects culminated with a $4.45 million reconstruction of the bridge in 1989.
