Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (U.S. 2015)

Posted on May 15, 2015 by VSC

Updated June 1st: First day postmarks:
Standard 4-bar FIRST DAY OF ISSUE
Digital Color Postmark:

from the Postal Bulletin May 27th:
On June 1, 2015, in Kansas City, MO, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Non-machineable Surcharge Rate, (Non-denominated priced at 71 cents), in one design, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 117800).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide June 1, 2015.

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on its fifth butterfly stamp issuance for greeting card envelopes that require additional postage. The stamp art is a colorful, highly stylized depiction of the butterfly. The words “NON-MACHINEABLE SURCHARGE” on the stamp indicate its usage value. Like a Forever® stamp, this stamp will always be valid for the rate printed on it. The initial price and value for this stamp is 71 cents. Named for the black “tiger” stripes along the upper surfaces of its wings, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is easily spotted. Abundant from southern New England to Florida and west to the Great Plains and central Texas, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a frequent visitor to gardens, woodlands, and riverbeds. Tom Engeman was the artist. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
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 http://www.usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

71¢ Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Stamp
Cancellation Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Pillar 210
Kansas City, MO 64144-0001

After applying the first-day-of-Issue Postmark:, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers have to pay five cents each. All orders must be postmarked by July 31, 2015.

There are seven philatelic products for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail stamp issue:

117806, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $85.20 (print quantity 250).
117808, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $85.20 (print quantity 500).
117810, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $16.95.
117816, First-Day Cover, $1.15.
117821, Digital Color Postmark, $1.86.
117831, Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
117832, Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark, $2.21.

Technical Specifications:

Issue: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Stamp
Item Number: 117800
Denomination & Type of Issue: Non-Machineable Surcharge Rate, Mail-Use
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: June 1, 2015, Kansas City, MO 64108
Designer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Art Director: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Typographer: Derry Noyes, Washington, DC
Artist: Tom Engeman, Frederick, MD
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 100 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag applied
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, PMS 2726C Purple
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 1.09 x 1.09 in./27.56 x 27.56 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.23 x 1.23 in./31.12 x 31.12 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.90 x 7.12 in./149.86 x 180.85 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.80 x 21.36 in./299.72 x 542.54 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings: Front: Plate numbers in four corners of pane
Back: © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (117800) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text

From the USPS May 26th:
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the Eastern tiger swallowtail on its fifth butterfly stamp issuance for greeting card envelopes that require additional postage. The stamp art is a colorful, highly stylized depiction of the butterfly. The words “NON-MACHINEABLE SURCHARGE” on the stamp indicate its usage value. Non-machinable items require sorting by hand. This stamp also may be used for mailing items weighing up to 2-ounces.

These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category printed on them, at the time of use. The initial price and value for this stamp is 71 cents, effective May 31. Named for the black “tiger” stripes along the upper surfaces of its wings, the Eastern tiger swallowtail is easily spotted. Abundant from southern New England to Florida and west to the Great Plains and central Texas, the Eastern tiger swallowtail is a frequent visitor to gardens, woodlands, and riverbeds. Tom Engeman of Frederick, MD, was the artist. Art director Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, designed the stamp.

[Note “This stamp also may be used for mailing items weighing up to 2-ounces.” in the above writeup. —LdeV]

From the USPS May 18th:
The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the Eastern tiger swallowtail on its fifth butterfly stamp issuance for greeting card envelopes that require additional postage. The stamp art is a colorful, highly stylized depiction of the butterfly. The words “NON-MACHINEABLE SURCHARGE” on the stamp indicate its usage value. These Forever stamps will always be equal in value to the applicable price for the price category printed on them, at the time of use. The initial price and value for this stamp is 71 cents. Named for the black “tiger” stripes along the upper surfaces of its wings, the Eastern tiger swallowtail is easily spotted. Abundant from southern New England to Florida and west to the Great Plains and central Texas, the Eastern tiger swallowtail is a frequent visitor to gardens, woodlands, and riverbeds. Tom Engeman was the artist. Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.

The first day of issue is June1, without a ceremony. The city is Kansas City (Stamp Fulfillment Services).

U.S. Scott Catalogue Update – May 2015

Posted on May 4, 2015 by VSC

4964 (49¢) Water Lily – Pale pink
4965 (49¢) Water Lily – Red
4966 (49¢) Water Lily – Purple
4967 (49¢) Water Lily – White
a. Block of 4, #4964-4967
b. Convertible booklet pane of 20, 5 each #4964-4967

4968 (49¢) Art by Martín Ramírez – Untitled (Horse and Rider with Trees)
4969 (49¢) Art by Martín Ramírez – Untitled (Man Riding Donkey)
4970 (49¢) Art by Martín Ramírez – Untitled (Train on Inclined Tracks)
4971 (49¢) Art by Martín Ramírez – Untitled (Deer)
4972 (49¢) Art by Martín Ramírez – Untitled (Tunnel with Cars and Buses)
a. Vert. strip of 5, #4968-4972

4973 (49¢) Soft Shield Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2014” date
4974 (49¢) Autumn Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2014” date
4975 (49¢) Goldie’s Wood Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2014” date
4976 (49¢) Painted Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2014” date
4977 (49¢) Fortune’s Holly Fern lithographed coil stamp with Microprinted “USPS” and “2014” date
a. Strip of 5, #4973-4977

4978 (49¢) From Me to You

Love Your Pet (Canada, 2015)

Posted on May 1, 2015 by VSC

[press release]
New stamps aim to promote awareness of responsible pet ownership

OTTAWA, May 1, 2015 /CNW/ – Canadians love their pets – including some 10 million cats, 5.5 million dogs and plenty of rodents, reptiles, birds and fish. Love Your Pet: Responsible Pet Ownership is a colourful new stamp series that offers reminders of the importance of spaying or neutering, regular visits to the veterinarian, proper nutrition, creating comfortable surroundings, and plenty of play, exercise and attention. Like the popular 2013 “Adopt-a-Pet” stamp set, this issue was produced with the guidance of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS).

“Companion animals enrich our lives and bring us joy and happiness on a daily basis. With this stamp issue, we hope to create broader awareness of what it takes to keep pets happy and healthy,” says Jim Phillips, Director of Stamp Services at Canada Post.

“These stamps artistically demonstrate some of the important ways that we can ensure that our companion animals receive the physical and emotional care they deserve,” says Barbara Cartwright, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

The animals in the bright, lighthearted artwork all show warmth and express personality in scenes where they are cared for responsibly. It’s a visually appealing and celebratory way of illustrating the pets in our lives, while reminding us about ways of keeping them safe, healthy and happy.

The stamps were designed by Lara Minja and illustrated by Genevieve Simms with a whimsical and colourful brushstroke-style. The stamps will be unveiled at the opening of National Animal Welfare Conference, which will be held from May 2-5, 2015, in Richmond, B.C.

About the stamps
The stamps are available in booklets of 10 measure 24 mm x 39.5 mm (vertical), 40 mm x 39.5 mm (vertical), 24 mm x 32 mm (vertical), and 24 mm x 24 mm with simulated perforations, while the souvenir sheet has 13+ perforations. They are printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in six colours. The stamps are pressure sensitive. The Official First Day Cover will be cancelled in Richmond, B.C., the location of this year’s National Animal Welfare Conference. To download the image of the stamps, please click here. To purchase philatelic products, please visit canadapost.ca/shop.

Cleanup In Aisle 4!

Posted on May 1, 2015 by VSC

by Lloyd A. de Vries, Manager
The Virtual Stamp Club

We had a meltdown this week in The Virtual Stamp Club’s Facebook Group, the likes of which I hadn’t seen since the days of the DelphiForums message board. Stamp society politics? Shady business practices? Nope. It started over the designs of the U.S. stamps promoting World Stamp Show-New York 2016 (shown here).

I wrote about the controversy, and some of the disappointment in the designs, in this weekend’s radio feature. You can read the script and listen to the VSC version here. However, there’s just so much I can cram into a 60-second audio feature or even the slightly longer version on this website.

Because there are some issues with this stamp design that go beyond art.

One is that you can’t please everyone. They may not know art, but they know what they like. For many collectors, this wasn’t it. For others, it was.

Another problem is that the U.S. Postal Service design folks are making assumptions about what stamp collectors want without really knowing what stamp collectors want, or asking. Yes, there are some serious stamp collectors on the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, but I don’t know how much input they had, or, frankly, whether they would tell Postal Service design professionals they didn’t like a design. The majority of CSAC members are not stamp collectors.

But the biggest problem may be that there are two distinct groups of stamp collectors reacting to this design: Collectors of high-end classic stamps and those who like modern issues, especially the pop culture subjects. These two groups don’t mix well, or often. The former doesn’t spend as much time online, and when they do, it’s often in small, clubby discussion areas, with restricted memberships and subject matter. The latter hang out in mass-market forums like Facebook. Members of the two groups may spend about the same on their collections, but the former spend more per stamp or cover.

The NYC 2016 show is definitely under the control of the former group. In fact, its leadership is almost entirely drawn from the Collectors Club of New York. Some of NYC 2016’s officials have told me privately, in other contexts, they don’t care to “get into it” online, where tempers often get hot and some participants can hide behind their computer monitors. The online world can be rather “bare knuckle.”

My guess is that this stamp design was tailored to the classic collectors, not the much larger group of modern-issue casual collectors. There is nothing wrong with that. It just means that this stamp design won’t appeal to the majority of collectors and non-collectors who just like interesting stamps.

As I said, you can’t please everyone.

The only question I have is, what is the purpose of these stamps? To reassure the show’s organizers about their relationship with the Postal Service, or to promote the show to people who might not know about it?

On the other hand, how many people these days see stamps on their mail? Or even see much mail? The full pane of 20 stamps, at least, gives the dates of the show, and more people are likely to see the full pane than one of these stamps on their mail.

Canada: In Flanders Fields (2015)

Posted on April 30, 2015 by VSC

[press release]
Enduring elegy by Canadian combat surgeon featured in new stamp
John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields was written 100 years ago to honour both one close friend and countless war dead

Ottawa (Ont.) – Canada Post will issue a stamp to mark the 100th anniversary of the poignant poem that made the poppy an international symbol of wartime sacrifices and has been recited in ceremonies for a century.

On May 3, 1915, in the First World War’s Second Battle of Ypres, Canadian combat surgeon John McCrae was grief-stricken at the death of a friend and comrade, and overwhelmed by the sheer carnage and death around him. He wrote In Flanders Fields to express his sorrow and commemorate Lt. Alexis Helmer and the thousands of other soldiers dying in that conflict.

In Flanders Fields was first published 100 years ago, in December 1915, in England’s Punch magazine. It became perhaps the most popular poem from the First World War and inspired the choice of the poppy as a symbol of the sacrifices made in that and subsequent wars. To this day, the poem is recited at Remembrance Day services in Canada and around the world. It and its French-language adaptation, Au Champ d’honneur, are engraved on marble plaques in the Memorial Chamber inside the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill.

“Both John McCrae and his poem are national treasures,” says the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport and responsible for Canada Post. “The poem has become an emotional touchstone as a means of remembering the sacrifices of those who served so that we may be free.”

“Our stamps reveal what is of value to Canadians – including what bonds us from one generation to another. This poem is written indelibly on our hearts in a way that helps us honour those who gave their lives in the service of this country,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO, Canada Post.

Designed by Janice Carter and Tejashri Kapure of q30, the stamp is based on iconic imagery drawn from the lines of the poem, with images of crosses “row on row,” of singing larks and of the fragile red poppy, which appears with the permission of the Royal Canadian Legion. A five-stamp mini pane features the poem in the author’s handwriting – in a version that varies slightly from that made famous by Punch.

Lt. Col. McCrae was himself was an indirect casualty of war; he died on January 28, 1918, of pneumonia and meningitis. In 1968, 50 years after his death, the Post Office Department (now Canada Post) issued a stamp that paid him tribute.

About the stamps
The pressure sensitive stamps available in booklets of 10 measure 40 mm x 32 mm (vertical), while the five-stamp mini pane (water-activated gum) has 13 + perforations. They are printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in six colours. The official first day cover will be cancelled in Guelph, Ont. To purchase philatelic products, please visit canadapost.ca/shop.

Top Players On Women’s World Cup Stamp (Canada, 2015)

Posted on April 28, 2015 by VSC

[press release]
Sinclair and Buchanan on stamp as Canada hosts FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015

Canada’s most accomplished women’s soccer player and a rising star on the Canadian squad are both captured in action on a new stamp to mark Canada’s hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. The stamp, featuring Canada’s Christine Sinclair and Kadeisha Buchanan, will be issued on May 6 in post offices across the country, but currently available for pre-orders online.

Canada will be welcoming the top 24 nations in a total of 52 matches in six host cities: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montréal and Moncton. Canada and China will play in the Opening Match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ on Saturday, June 6 in Edmonton, and the Final will be played in Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium on Sunday, July 5.

“Women’s soccer has generated memorable and dramatic performances from Canadians giving everything they have at the sport’s highest levels,” says the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport and responsible for Canada Post. “This competition will showcase athleticism and passion for the game – and so do the images on this stamp.”

“The stamp commemorating the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 is a tribute not only to these outstanding athletes and soccer’s world-wide appeal, but also of Canada’s strength and leadership in playing host to competitions that attract the best of the best,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport).

“Canada Post is highlighting these athletes and the most prestigious tournament in women’s soccer,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO, Canada Post. “At the same time, we are celebrating the incredible advancements that the women’s game has made in Canada, on the field and in fan interest.”

Sinclair, the all-time leader in international appearances for Canada, has scored more than 150 goals in international play. A two-time Olympian, she led Canada to an Olympic bronze medal in the 2012 London Games. Her performance included three goals in one game against the U.S. team, which went on to win the gold, and she carried Canada’s flag at the closing ceremony. This will be her fourth consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup™ competition.

Buchanan has been called “the (Christine) Sinclair of defenders” by Canada’s head coach, John Herdman. She was a standout for Canada in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which Canada hosted in 2014. She plays with a perennial college soccer powerhouse, the West Virginia University Mountaineers. The authoritative TopDrawerSoccer.com ranks Buchanan No. 6 among collegiate and non-professional women players in the U.S. – and No. 1 in her NCAA division.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 will be a game-changer for women’s sport in Canada,” said Peter Montopoli, General Secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association and CEO, National Organizing Committee FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. “Today, these two wonderful Canadian athletes have been stamped into history and will forever serve as symbols of Canada’s contribution to the greatest event in women’s sport.”

Emblematic of the players coming to Canada from around the world, Ayumi Kaihori of Japan, a goalkeeper who has appeared in 24 international matches, also appears on the stamp.

About the stamp
The pressure-sensitive stamps available in booklets of 10 measure 40 mm x 32 mm (horizontal). They are designed by Debbie Adams of Toronto and printed by Lowe-Martin on Tullis Russell paper using lithography in eight colors. The Official First Day Cover will be cancelled in Edmonton, Alta., site of the opening game. A collectible plaque showcasing the players along with a mint stamp is also available. To download the image of the stamps, please click here. To purchase philatelic products, please visit canadapost.ca/shop.

About the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™
From June 6 to July 5, 2015, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ will be hosted in Canada with matches to be played in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montréal and Moncton. This will be the first time that Canada hosts an international sporting event from coast to coast. Recognized as the most important international competition in women’s soccer, the upcoming competition will unite soccer fans worldwide while giving Canada an opportunity to embrace the best in women’s sport.

Information related to the competition, including the Ticketing and Spectator Guides, is available at www.FIFA.com/Canada2015. Fans are encouraged to share their excitement by sharing photos and videos on the FIFA Women’s World Cup Facebook and Twitter (@fifawwc) pages using hashtags #fifawwc #BeThere #Canada2015.

Sine Waves: Why Join?

Posted on April 22, 2015 by VSC

To Join or Not to Join: Is That A Question?
By Richard L. Sine

Should you join a local stamp club (or help start one if none is nearby), a specialty group for people who collect the same as do you (i.e., alligators on stamps, postal history of Pit Hole City, PA, etc.) or a national all-purpose organization such as the American Philatelic Society or the Royal Philatelic Society of Canada?

Post those questions to stamp collectors and you will hear two responses: a resounding YES, or a low murmur that isn’t quite a “no,” but you aren’t certain. And, of course, there is no reason to parade around the kingdom carrying a placard: “Don’t Join!”

Let’s look at key reasons to join any stamp organization, no matter what its reach:

Ability to associate with others who share your interest
Learn more about stamp collecting than if you do not join
Take advantage of services only open to members, or at a lesser fee than members are charged. Such benefits include being able to read current issues of the group’s publication, notification of philatelic events (particularly those nearest you), and a safe(r) environment within which to buy/sell or exchange stamps.

How about some “lesser” reasons?

Just to receive the periodicals … really, then, you not are “joining” so much as subscribing to a periodical.
To be able to tell others you are a member … yes, I have seen that in the just-under 50 years since I first paid a membership fee. I also have seen a few collectors whose collecting interests include the number of memberships.

Don’t join merely to “support” [fill in organization’s name here]. If you wish to support, send an annual check as a donation. Particularly relative to smaller groups — both local clubs and specialty groups — non-participating members then leave it to those volunteers to pick up the slack for you … and what appears to be a “membership” of 100 really is one of only 35! To me, passive membership, unless of course there are health issues, is deception. You may put the decal on your auto bumper, but you bought it rather than earned it.

It is the rare stamp organization that does not welcome those who offer to be on committees, help at events, run for office, and on and on.

Philately is going through some drastic changes. In the first place, postal services are carrying far less mail and, therefore, there are far fewer stamps. The number of philatelic periodicals continues to dwindle, both in number and in size; some large stamp shows are no more; and I could add more tear-jerking examples.

Digital media, complete with “memberships” of sorts, dot the environment. I remember when each of VSC’s predecessors burst forth. What we see here now is not the same as what I remember from a long time ago. And, the better philately-by-keyboard approaches will prosper over time just as have stamp organizations.

Make your decision on the basis of what is best for you. As a hobby, this is for your recreation. Enjoy it your way, for your reasons … because, most importantly, stamp collecting is for you to enjoy!

U.S. Postal Service Considers Drones

Posted on April 22, 2015 by VSC

Maybe that mailman who landed his gyrocopter on the U.S. Capitol lawn was ahead of his time!

The Postal Service is looking at suppliers for its next generation of delivery trucks — and one of the proposals is for an electric truck that doubles as a drone launcher.

That bid has already made the first cut, so who knows?

There’s more on the story at The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. The photo is from the University of Cincinnati, which is working with The Workhorse Group on the electric van and Horsefly Drone.

Mary-Anne Penner To Head U.S. Stamp Program

Posted on April 20, 2015 by VSC

Updated April 22nd: Now confirmed by the USPS.

Career postal employee Mary-Anne Penner will be the next manager of the U.S. Postal Service’s Stamp Services department, which develops, designs and produces the agency’s postage stamps.

Penner’s Linked In profile picture is shown here.

The story was first reported by Bill McAllister in Linn’s stamp News, It was then confirmed from another source by The Virtual Stamp Club.

According to Penner’s Linked In profile, she has worked for the USPS her entire career, starting as a clerk and carrier in the Washington, DC, area in 1984. She moved into management in 1987, and has now been Manager, Strategic Account Analystics (National) for four years.

During that period, she says, she had three “detail” (temporary) assignments: Manager, Stamp Development; Chief of Staff (Stamp Services & Corporate Licensing); and Social Media Operations Team.

On Linked In, Penner says ” I am responsible for leading a team who can identify trends, and recommend changes to retain revenue and improve service, reduce operational costs, and grow products and services.”

Linn’s says members of the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee were informed of Penner’s selection at the panel’s meetings earlier this month. There is no official confirmation yet from the USPS.

Penner succeeds Cindy Tackett, the interim manager of Stamp Services, who is retiring next month after 42 years with the USPS. There has been no official confirmation of that, either.

Anthony Trollope (UK, 2015)

Posted on April 17, 2015 by VSC

[press release]
ROYAL MAIL COMMEMORATES THE BICENTENARY OF ANTHONY TROLLOPE’S BIRTH, THE “GRANDFATHER” OF THE POSTBOX

Royal Mail is commemorating the bicentenary of Anthony Trollope’s birth in 1815 with a limited edition Commemorative Sheet of stamps

The Commemorative Sheet will go on sale on 24 April 2015 – 200 years since Trollope was born

Famous as a novelist, Trollope is also known for introducing freestanding postboxes, or pillar boxes, to the UK from 1852 during his time working at the Post Office. In recognition of this, Royal Mail has created an online “family tree” of postboxes through the ages, with help from the Letter Box Study Group

Postboxes were first erected in London on five streets in 1855. Royal Mail will attach a plaque to a postbox in each of these streets in the capital as part of its Trollope bicentenary celebrations. The streets are: Fleet Street, The Strand, Piccadilly, Pall Mall and Rutland Gate in Kensington.

Royal Mail has created a special postmark to mark Trollope’s bicentenary. This will appear on stamped mail across the UK from 24 April for one week. Royal Mail only issues special postmarks for major events in the UK or to mark special historic dates.

Royal Mail is also supporting the British Postal Museum & Archive’s “Pop it in the Post” exhibition examining how the postal service changed in the Victorian era, driven by the appearance of postboxes in streets across the UK. Further details about the BPMA’s exhibition can be found here.

Pillar boxes were instrumental in changing the postal service during the latter half of the 19th century as they were installed across the UK. Royal Mail is supporting The British Postal Museum & Archive’s “Pop it in the Post” exhibition that examines those changes, The introduction of stamps and the expansion of the network of postboxes around the country made it easier and cheaper for people to send letters across the country.

The family-friendly exhibition opens at the Islington Museum in London on 28 March and runs to the 2 May 2015. It moves to Mansfield Museum in the autumn and will run from 3 October to 21 November 2015. It will then open at the Havering Museum early in 2016. Visitors will be able to see some of the original postboxes, as well as some of the equipment used by Trollope during his time with the Post Office.

Sue Whalley, Royal Mail’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are delighted to contribute to this year’s bicentenary celebrations of the birth of Anthony Trollope. He is well-known as a former Post Office employee and we have him to thank for introducing pillar boxes to the UK. Whether in walls, on poles or freestanding, the network of postboxes has grown from Trollope’s time to reach around over 115,000 boxes which are now an iconic feature of communities across the UK.”

Michael Williamson, Chairman of the Trollope Society, said: “The Trollope Society is delighted that the Royal Mail are commemorating the bicentenary of Anthony Trollope’s birth in so many different and exciting ways. These perfectly complement the many other events, book launches, exhibitions and activities that will be taking place throughout 2015 in honour of this prolific and distinguished novelist.

“Trollope’s career in the Post Office, during such an interesting time in its development, undoubtedly influenced his writing and provided him with several plot ideas. The considerable travel that he was able to undertake on behalf of the organisation, throughout the world, helped him to create realistic geographical backgrounds for his novels. This was a unique partnership that deserves full recognition.”

Andrew Young, chairman of The Letter Box Study Group, said: “We are very pleased to be able to help Royal Mail celebrate the bicentenary of Anthony Trollope and illustrate the enormous variety of postboxes that can be found in cities, towns and villages throughout the UK. It is also a good opportunity to showcase the volunteer-led work of the LBSG. Hailed as the ‘leading authority on the British roadside postbox’, it maintains the most comprehensively detailed database of the nation’s 115,500 boxes, and several thousand more from overseas.”

Trollope was born in London on 24 April 1815 and went to school in Harrow. When he was 19 he began working for the Post Office and was based in London for the first seven years of his career. In 1841 he moved to Ireland, where he met Rose Heseltine and they married in 1844. He moved back to England and settled in Waltham Cross with his wife and their two sons in 1859. It was there that he wrote many of his best-loved novels. He left the Post Office in 1867 and tried but failed to become an MP. He continued to write, and by his death on 6 December 1882, had produced 47 novels, five travel books, two plays, biographies, many short stories, reviews, essays, articles and lectures. He is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London.

He has a memorial stone in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. He also has a blue plaque on the Custom House in Belfast (where Trollope had an office as Postal Surveyor for Northern Ireland) and on 39 Montague Square, London W1, where he lived from 1873.

Royal Mail’s postboxes are a much-loved part of the UK landscape and we have over 115,000 boxes across the country.

The first pillar boxes in the British Isles were erected in Jersey in 1852 as a trial. This was in response to public demand for improved posting facilities, due to an increase in mail following postal reform in 1840. The trial was considered a success and boxes began appearing across mainland Britain from 1853.

Many of the UK’s first postboxes were painted green, to blend in with the landscape. However, to make them more visible to the public, bright red was chosen instead. The new colour was introduced in 1874 and it took 10 years to repaint all postboxes. Red has remained the standard colour for UK boxes from then on with only a few exceptions, one being blue postboxes for overseas mail.

The Commemorative sheet will be available at selected Post Offices branches, online, and from Royal Mail Tallents House (tel. 03457 641 641), 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9PB.

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