New Philosateleian Post stamp celebrates the accordion
Philosateleian Post will issue its second new local post stamp of 2024 in late May with the release of a special stamp celebrating the accordion. The 1-stamp design is slated for a first day of issue on May 30.
Existing accordion variants include diatonic button accordions, chromatic button accordions, and piano accordions. An example of the last of those is pictured on Philosateleian Post’s new stamp.
Philosateleian Post Accordion stamp
The earliest accordions date back to the 1820s. All accordion types (excluding digital) are part of the free reed aerophone family, which also includes other hand-pumped, bellows-driven instruments such as the concertina and harmonium as well as other instruments ranging from reed organs to harmonicas.
Philosateleian Post’s proprietor, Kevin Blackston, began learning to play a piano accordion in 2020.
“Although I had previously played around with guitar, and actually took piano lessons during high school, no instrument has ever captured my attention like the accordion,” says Blackston. “Although life’s other demands leave nowhere near as much time as I would like for making music, I still enjoy picking up my box and squeezing the bellows at every opportunity.”
Technical Specifications
Format: sheets of 63 (7×9). Plate number: P240414. 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 Accordion 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
Less than two months have passed since the last time I wrote about new stamps from Como Park Post, but the Minnesota-based local post on March 28 issued a pair of new stamps.
The two triangular designs feature the wording “3 Cent Como Pk Post” and “Como Pk Post 3¢,” respectively.
Como Park Post 3¢ triangular stamps
The stamps are printed in pairs on light green paper. Como Park Post’s operator, Tom B., also provided me with some test prints on a dark green paper, but I think his ultimate color selection was the right way to go.
On March 22, Purgatory Post issued the latest in its long-running series of local post stamps picturing New Hampshire’s covered bridges. The 23-sola stamp pictures Blow-Me-Down Bridge, an 86-foot-long span across Blow-Me-Down Brook in Cornish, New Hampshire.
Purgatory Post 23-sola Blow-Me-Down Bridge stamp
Blow-Me-Down Bridge was built in 1877 for a total cost of just under $530, and was used for nearly a century without needing any substantial repairs. The bridge was closed to traffic in 1974, however, and remained closed for several years until needed repairs were effected. Following a second closure for repairs at the end of the 20th century, the bridge reopened in 2002 and has been in regular use ever since.
As do other stamps in this series, Purgatory Post’s newest bridge stamp utilizes a frame from one of the United States Pan-American Exposition stamps issued in 1901. It gives the stamp a classic look.
Cal Farley’s uses faux stamp designs on another BRE
Over the past few years, I’ve received several mailings from Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch that have included business reply envelopes with preprinted stamp-sized designs. Another such item arrived in the mail last week, this one with four designs picturing flowers, a birdhouse, and boots.
Cal Farley’s business reply envelope with preprinted stamp-sized designs
The art style used in the designs appears similar to that used on other Cal Farley BREs I’ve received, but the colors all seem rather muted. Nevertheless, if the goal is simply to make the envelope kind of, sort of appear to have stamps affixed to it, it’s probably adequate.
Another Fellowship BRE features preprinted faux stamps
I wrote last month of receiving a business reply envelope from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. That envelope bore four preprinted stamp-sized designs--two copies of each of two different designs—featuring various Jewish symbols.
Last week, I received a different BRE in another mailing from The Fellowship. This envelope featured four copies of two new preprinted designs: one pictures a menorah shield design, while the other has an illustration of the Old City of Jerusalem with the Wailing Wall.
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews business reply envelope with preprinted stamp-sized designs
Technically, I suppose the two copies of the Old City design could be considered different since one has blue shading throughout, and the second has blue shading only in the sky, but other than that they look identical.
The earlier envelope had simulated preprinted die cuts around the designs printed on it, and this one has simulated preprinted perforations. While I probably would have omitted the drop shadow behind the designs, I like the overall look.
