What's New!

No U.S. stamps for two months; designs revealed for some 2010 stamps

firstdaycoversonline — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:03:00 +0000

United States stamp collectors will get a break from new issues until January 2010. There are no new U.S. stamps scheduled for release in November or December.

So far, few images of 2010 stamp designs have been officially revealed, though the subjects of many of the stamps that will be issued next year were described in Linn’s over the past few months.

One design officially unveiled is the 44¢ Year of the Tiger stamp, to be issued in January. The design features daffodils, along with a tiny tiger in the upper left corner. The stamp is part of the Postal Service’s lunar new year series.

On Sept. 25 in Albany, N.Y., the Postal Service formally revealed designs for the fourth set of stamps in the Flags of Our Nation commemorative coil series. This set is tentatively scheduled to be issued in June 2010.

The flag designs may look familiar to Linn’s readers, as they were previously pictured in Linn’s as part of the 2009 U.S. program. Postal Service budget cuts delayed the issue and pushed back part of the Flags of Our Nation series program, which is now set to conclude in 2012.

More designs for the 2010 stamp program are expected to be revealed over the next few months.

— Jay Bigalke, Linn’s online editor and Postmark Pursuit columnist

The Simpsons Stamps

firstdaycoversonline — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:40:18 +0000

Stamps: An American Journey

firstdaycoversonline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:34:11 +0000

How It’s Made – Postage Stamps

firstdaycoversonline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:32:57 +0000

United States Stamps and First Day Covers

firstdaycoversonline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:29:38 +0000

The World’s Smallest Postal Service

firstdaycoversonline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:06:48 +0000

The World’s Smallest Postal Service (WSPS) is a teeny tiny transcription service and roaming post office based in the San Francisco Bay Area and also available online.

Lea Redmond is the Postmaster, setting up her tiny mobile office in cafes and shops where passers-by can write a letter and have it turned into a “world’s smallest letter.” The letter is transcribed on a miniature desk in the tiniest of script, sealed with a miniscule wax seal with the sender’s intial pressed into it, packaged up with a magnifying glass in a glassine envelope, and finished off with a large wax seal.

It is a double delight: for both the sender and the recipient, and the WSPS is very happy to provide this important service to the world.

For more information go to:
http://www.leafcutterdesigns.com/shop/wsps/about.html

What other stamp materials can I collect?

firstdaycoversonline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:04:56 +0000

Many philatelists collect postal stationery—products with a printed or embossed stamp design—such as Stamped Envelopes, Stamped Cards (or postal cards), and Aerogrammes. Other philatelic collectibles include: Plate numbers (including plate blocks) appear on or adjacent to stamps. Found most often on sheet stamps, plate blocks are the stamps—usually a group of 4—that have the printing plate numbers in the adjoining selvage, or margin. Booklet panes are panes of stamps affixed in, or as part of, a thin folder to form a booklet. Collectors of booklet panes usually save the entire pane or booklet. Marginal blocks (including copyright blocks) feature marginal inscriptions other than plate numbers. The most common is the copyright block, which features the copyright symbol ©, copyright date, and U.S. Postal Service. All U.S. stamp designs since 1978 are copyrighted. First Day Covers (FDCs) are envelopes bearing new stamps postmarked on the first day of sale. For each new issuance, the U.S. Postal Service generally selects one location, usually related to the stamp subject, as the place for the first day dedication ceremony and the first day postmark. First Day Ceremony Programs are given to those who attend first day ceremonies. They contain a list of participants, information on the stamp subject, and the actual stamp attached and postmarked.

How should I judge the condition of a stamp?

firstdaycoversonline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:03:36 +0000

To evaluate the condition of a stamp, first look at the front. Are the colors bright or faded? Is the stamp clean, dirty or stained? Is it torn or creased? Torn stamps are not considered “collectible,” but they can be used as space fillers until you get better ones. Are the perforations intact? Has the stamp been canceled? A stamp with a light cancellation is in better condition than one with heavy marks across it. Is the stamp design centered, crooked, or off to one side? Centering can range from “superb” (perfectly centered on the stamp) to “good” (the design on at least one side is marred somewhat by the perfs). Anything less would be graded “fair” or “poor” and, like torn copies, should be saved only as space fillers. Centering varies widely on older stamps. An examination of the back of the stamp will reveal whether it has been carelessly treated and thus is less valuable.

How can I tell what a stamp is worth?

firstdaycoversonline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:02:04 +0000

When figuring the value of a stamp, ask yourself two questions: “How rare is it?” and “What condition is it in?” Stamp catalog prices will give you an idea of the stamp’s rarity. However, the stamp may sell at more or less than the catalog price, depending on its condition. Stamp dealers categorize stamps according to their condition. A stamp in mint condition is the same as when purchased from the Post Office. Hinge marks on mint stamps can reduce value, which is why stamp mounts are recommended for mint stamps.

Is there anything else I need for stamp collecting?

firstdaycoversonline — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:01:19 +0000

Collectors use a variety of other materials and accessories. Transparent glassine envelopes protect stamps from grease and air. A stamp catalog is a reference book with illustrations and stamp values. A magnifying glass is useful when examining stamps; tongs are used to pick up and move stamps. A perforation gauge measures perforations along the edges of stamps. Watermark fluid will enhance a watermark, a design or pattern that is pressed into some stamp paper during manufacturing.