[press release]
The Philatelic Foundation Authenticates Another Long Lost Jenny Invert
A representative of an auction firm recently brought a Jenny Invert to the Philatelic Foundation’s New York offices for authentication on behalf of a consignor. The Philatelic Foundation is widely regarded in the hobby of stamp collecting for its expertise in authenticating this iconic United States air mail rarity. Over the last 70 years, the PF has issued Certificates of Authenticity for 85 of the 100 stamps from the original error sheet of the “upside down airplane stamp,” including all six of the existing blocks of four.
The stamp was hand-delivered to The Foundation by Leslie S. Hindman, the owner and principal of Chicago’s Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Ms. Hindman recounted that the Jenny Invert had been stored for many years in a safe deposit box together with a number of other rare U.S. and foreign stamps and that the family of the original owner had decided to sell the stamps at auction.
The Foundation’s staff immediately began the expertization process led by Curator Lewis Kaufman and Executive Director Larry Lyons. Based on its extensive electronic and photographic records of this rarity, the PF was able to certify that the Jenny Invert was genuine and came from position 79 in the sheet of 100, one of only two positions which have not been seen in the market place since the stamp was issued almost 100 years ago.
In April 2016, The Philatelic Foundation authenticated another long lost Jenny Invert, which it determined to have once been part of the Ethel McCoy block of four that was stolen in 1955. That stamp was turned over to federal authorities and, following negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New York, the American Philatelic Society was recognized at its lawful owner and was given possession of the stamp at NY2016.
Although Canada Post produces its own cachets, such as the one shown on the right, it is possible for individuals to submit their own covers.
On the left is shown a Dragon Card produced by me for the same issue and submitted to Canada Post for servicing.
Canada Post will not cancel covers that “bear foreign postage or previous cancellations.” That means no combination FDCs with another country’s stamps, such as the 1999 U.S. Star Trek stamp (Sc. 3188e). Earlier Canadian stamps are acceptable for combos.
Canada strongly prefers that its stamps be in the traditional upper right corner, but is flexible.
Post.
Call it the “stealth rate hike.” With little fanfare, The cost to mail a letter within the U.S. is going up two cents on January 22, 2017, just as the U.S. Postal Service requested in October. The Postal Regulatory Commission allowed the increase without action or announcement because it fell within the rate of inflation.
First-class parcels (not bendable or thicker than 3/4 of an inch or both) are both more complicated and less. Four ounces or less are now $2.67. Additional ounces in parcels go from 19¢ to 18¢, so five-ounce parcel is now $2.85 and a six-ounce one is $3.03, both more than before January 22nd. A seven-ounce parcel (or anything between 6.1 and 7.0 ounces) is the same before and after the rate change, $3.21, and above that weight, prices are actually cheaper under the new structure.
Windsor Castle, the oldest inhabited castle in world and an official residence of HM The Queen, is celebrated with iconic views of both the interior and exterior of the castle. Featured in the set is an image of the world-famous Round Tower that has dominated the Berkshire skyline for over 800 years.
Racehorse Legends will feature eight champion horses that achieved their greatest wins on UK race courses over the last six decades. The stamp issue features original artwork commissioned by Royal Mail of four flat racers and four national hunt horses captured in action during the course of their iconic wins. Included in the stamp issue is Desert ‘Dessie’ Orchid winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1989.
It measures 2.36” x 1.40″.
On February 10, 2017, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the Patriotic Nonprofit nondenominated, nonprofit organization stamp (5-cent value), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coil of 3,000 stamps (Item 755100), and a PSA coil of 10,000 stamps (Item 760200).
It measures 2.98 x 1.4 inches.
On January 22, 2017, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service will issue the $23.75 Gateway Arch Priority Mail Express stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 4 stamps (Item 111300).
It measures 2.91″ x 1.39″.
A special ceremony for the Lili’uokalani Gardens Priority Mail stamp will be held Monday, Jan. 23, at 11:00 a.m. at the Shoroan Tea House, Lili’uokalani Gardens in Hilo.
On August 11, 2017, in Independence, OH, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Azulillo stamped card Forever® priced at 38 cents (34-cent postage + 4-cent surcharge) in one design.
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store® website at usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
It measures 2.9″ x 1.12″. In addition, there will also be a show pictorial for Americover.
a. (49¢) Photograph of Oscar de la Renta
It measures 3″ x 1.3″. Here is the design for the pictorial cancel: 
It measures 2.97″ x 1.14″. There is also a “special” postmark that local post offices may offer: 
It measures 2.87″ x .98″.
The U.S. Postal Service is issuing the Oscar de la Renta Forever stamp to honor one of the world’s leading fashion designers. For 50 years, Oscar de la Renta created glamorous, sophisticated clothes that showcased the distinctively feminine attributes of the women who wore them. His innovative designs and close attention to detail elevated American style and brought international attention to New York as a world leader in fashion.
