Stamps Headlines
- Mixed Messages May 10, 2009This week will see another increase in U.S. postal rates, with the cost of a first class stamp going up to .44¢ and other prices rising as well. Even though this rate hike was planned for some months, it happens to coincide with a recent announcement that the U.S. Postal Service suffered a $1.9 billion loss for their second quarter. It is no secret that the […]
- It's All Elliptical May 8, 2009The Czech Republic has just released stamp issue celebrating 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy. This issue honors noted astronomer Johannes Kepler, whose work Astronomia Nova was printed 400 years ago. A German, Kepler spend several years in the Czech city of Prague as an assistant to the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. Kepler’s achievements […]
- Stamp Out Hunger May 5, 2009The United States Postal Service is holding its 17th Annual Stamp Out Hunger Day on Saturday, May 9th. Working with the National Association of Letter Carriers, Campbell's Soup, Feeding America, the United Way and the AFL-CIO, the USPS will gather food donations from postal carriers while delivering the mail on Saturday. In 2008 the drive collected 73,1 […]
- Catalogs, Catalogs Everywhere May 2, 2009Ah, the stamp catalog. Not counting tongs and the stamps themselves, perhaps one of the most vital tools for the philatelist. It helps us identify and value our stamps, while educating us to the innumerable varieties, errors and other phenomena that await us out in the soaking trays. As I studied the Harris 2009 US/BNA Catalog to review it, I realized that m […]
- Who's Next? April 21, 2009The upcoming release of the Simpsons stamps is another example of icons of American popular culture being depicted on the postage. Star Wars, comic books, and Looney Tunes have all been so honored. I now offer you all the chance to express your opinion of what should next grace a stamp. This poll is entirely non-scientific (and a bit non-serious). Let me kno […]
- From the Eternal City to the End of the Universe April 20, 2009This week sees new issues from the Mediterranean, specifically Italy and Israel. Italy is issuing three separate stamps. The first is a reproduction of a view of Rome which includes 17th and 18th century fountains and architecture, as well as an obelisk from ancient Rome. The stamp is an excellent representation of the centuries of history crowded into one c […]
- A New Hunting Ground April 18, 2009Like many collectors I have prowled around all sorts of places looking for things to add to my collection. Garage sales, auctions, estate sales, flea markets and antique stores are all great places to discover new and unique stamps, covers and other treasures. However a new hunting ground was opened to me when I went to a local “Friends of the Library” book […]
- The Queen's Birthday? April 14, 2009The Australian Post is issuing a stamp this week in honor of the Queen’s Official Birthday. This is not Queen Elizabeth’s actual birthday, which is April 21st. The Official Birthday is held sometime in June, but it varies from country to country in the Commonwealth of Nations. This second birthday first appeared in the beginning of the 20th Century when Edwa […]
- Woo Hoo! April 9, 2009The U.S. Postal Service has released the images of the upcoming Simpsons stamp issue. This strip of five stamps will be released on May 7th, with a First Day Cover ceremony being held that day at Fox Studios in Los Angeles, CA. They will be available in 20 stamp booklets as well as stamped cards. The Simpsons will be the first television show to get its o […]
- Where to put the relics? April 8, 2009The Czech Republic has just issued a beautiful stamp sheetlet celebrating the Reliquary of Saint Maur at Becov Nad Teplou. A reliquary is used to house the relics of Roman Catholic Saints. This particular reliquary held relics of Saints Maur, Timothy and John the Baptist. It is a beautiful wooden box, shaped like a house and decorated with gilt, precious and […]