[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions] [Photo of Jackson supplied by her]
New Member Appointed to Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced the appointment of marketing executive Trish Jackson to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC). Members are appointed to the committee by the postmaster general to provide expertise in business, history, science, technology, art, education, sports and other areas of public interest. Working together, they make recommendations for future stamp subjects.

Jackson was born in New York City and grew up in Williamsburg, VA, where she first discovered her love and appreciation for American history. She is an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), where she is Molly Stark chapter regent in Manchester, NH. She was an honorary New Hampshire state regent from 2019-2022 and is the national chairman of the DAR Leadership Training Committee. She was recently appointed by Gov. Christopher Sununu to New Hampshire’s America 250! Sesquicentennial Commission.

Jackson has had an extensive career in marketing, focusing on campaign and data analysis. She is currently a marketing campaign analyst for Cigna-Express Scripts. She is a graduate of Colgate University with a double major in political science and international relations.

Jackson lives in New Hampshire with her husband of 32 years, Hans, and has two children, Erin and Connor.

Submitting Stamp Suggestions
Due to the time required for research and approval in the stamp selection process, ideas for stamp subjects should be received at least three years prior to the proposed issuance. Each submission should include pertinent historical information and important dates associated with the subject. Proposals must be in writing and submitted by U.S. Mail. No in-person appeals, phone calls or emails are accepted. Mail your suggestion (one topic per letter) to the address below:

Stamp Development
Attn: Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260-3501

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Recommends New Prices for July 2024

WASHINGTON, DC — Today [April 9, 2024], the U. S. Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission of mailing services price changes to take effect July 14, 2024. The new rates include a 5-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 68 cents to 73 cents.

The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing servicesproduct prices approximately 7.8 percent. If favorably reviewed by the commission, the price changes would include:

The additional-ounce price for single-piece letters increases from 24 cents to 28 cents. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products, including Certified Mail and money order fees. Notably, there will be no price increase for Post Office Box rental fees, and the Postal Service will apply a price reduction of 10 percent for postal insurance when mailing an item.

As changes in the mailing and shipping marketplace continue, these price adjustments are needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan. USPS prices remain among the most affordable in the world.

The commission will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the commission’s website under the Daily Listings section. The Mailing Services filing is Docket No. R2024-2. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

VSC Notes:
The USPS filing says the 5¢ increase is 7.674%.

Of interest to those of us who mail “flats” (large envelopes that can bend), the USPS filing says,”The Postal Service is also making a change to the price structure of domestic First-Class Mail Flats. Currently, and for some time, Flats have been
priced by the ounce, with a base price for the first ounce and a single price for each additional ounce. That is, the price differential from one ounce to the next is constant.

“Under the proposed price structure here, the Postal Service would price each ounce independently, so the price diff erential from ounce to ounce may vary. This structure should provide greater flexibility in pricing First-Class Mail
Flats.”

Based on the filing, a one-ounce flat would go from $1.39 to $1.50, two-ounce from $1.63 to 1.77, three-ounce from $1.83 to $2.04, and so on: 11 to 21 cents in each of these cases.

Periodicals will increase nearly 10%.

Stamp Fulfillment Services fees will increase 8.641%

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post proposes new postage rates for 2024
Price of a domestic stamp in a booklet, coil or pane would rise to 99 cents

Canada Post is proposing to increase postage rates in 2024. For stamps purchased in a booklet, coil or pane, which represent the majority of stamp sales, the rate would increase by seven cents, to 99 cents per stamp. The new rates would take effect May 6, 2024.

Prior to these proposed changes coming into effect, domestic letter mail rates have increased twice over the last decade (five cents in 2019 and two cents in 2020), with the last major pricing change made on March 31, 2014.

Minimizing the impact
Canada Post understands the importance of the delivery service it provides and works to minimize the impact of price changes on all customers, ensuring any increases are fair and reasonable. The impact of the rate increase for the average Canadian household is estimated at 65 cents per year. For the average Canadian small business, the estimated impact is $12.07 per year.¹ Permanent™ stamps will always be accepted at the current domestic postage price.

Small businesses looking for support or special discounts on shipping and other services are encouraged to sign up for the free Canada Post Solutions for Small Business™ program.

Growing financial pressures on the postal system
While the Corporation has worked to minimize or hold rates for much of the last decade, the cost of providing a postal service to all Canadians has also been steadily impacted by inflation. This, combined with the fact that each year there are fewer letters to deliver to more addresses, has put considerable financial pressure on Canada Post. As an organization funded by revenue from the sale of its products and services, not taxpayer dollars, rate changes are a reality.

The proposed rate changes would also affect other products, including U.S., international letter-post and domestic Registered Mail™ items. The price of a single stamp for a domestic letter (30 grams or less) would increase from $1.07 to $1.15. When purchased in a booklet, coil or pane, the price would increase from 92 cents to 99 centsper stamp.

The proposed rates were published February 9 for public comment in Part I of the Canada Gazette. Subject to regulatory approvals, they would take effect May 6, 2024.

¹ Estimate based on average annual spending of businesses and households.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Postes Canada propose de nouveaux tarifs postaux pour 2024
Le prix d’un timbre du régime intérieur en carnet, en rouleau ou en feuillet passerait à 99 cents l’unité.

OTTAWA, ON, le 9 févr. 2024 /CNW/ – Postes Canada propose d’augmenter les tarifs d’affranchissement en 2024. Les timbres achetés en carnet, en rouleau ou en feuillet, soit les plus vendus, coûteraient 99 cents du timbre, c’est-à-dire une augmentation de 7 cents. Les nouveaux tarifs entreraient en vigueur le 6 mai 2024.

Les tarifs des envois poste-lettres du régime intérieur ont augmenté deux fois dans les 10 dernières années (de 5 cents en 2019 et de 2 cents en 2020), la dernière majoration importante ayant été apportée le 31 mars 2014.

Réduire au minimum l’incidence
Postes Canada comprend l’importance de son service de livraison et s’efforce de réduire au minimum l’incidence des changements tarifaires sur la clientèle, en veillant à ce que toute augmentation soit juste et raisonnable. L’incidence de la hausse tarifaire sur le ménage canadien moyen est estimée à 65 cents par année, et à 12,07 $ par année pour la petite entreprise canadienne moyenne.¹ Les timbres Permanents^MC seront toujours acceptés au tarif d’affranchissement actuel du régime intérieur.

Les petites entreprises voulant du soutien ou des réductions spéciales sur l’expédition et d’autres services sont invitées à s’inscrire au programme gratuit Solutions pour petites entreprises de Postes Canada^MC.

Pressions financières croissantes sur le système postal
Bien que la Société se soit efforcée de réduire au minimum les majorations tarifaires ou de maintenir ses tarifs pendant une bonne partie de la dernière décennie, le coût des services postaux offerts n’a cessé d’être touché par l’inflation. Cette augmentation et le fait qu’il y a chaque année moins de lettres à livrer à plus d’adresses exercent une pression financière considérable sur Postes Canada. Puisque cette dernière est financée par les revenus générés par la vente de ses produits et services, et non par l’argent des contribuables, les changements tarifaires sont une réalité.

La majoration proposée toucherait également d’autres produits, y compris les envois poste aux lettres à destination des États-Unis et du régime international, et les envois Courrier recommandé^MC du régime intérieur. Le prix d’une vignette à l’unité pour une lettre du régime intérieur (30 grammes ou moins) passerait de 1,07 $ à 1,15 $. Achetés en carnet, en rouleau ou en feuillet, les timbres coûteraient 99 cents chacun plutôt que 92 cents.

Les tarifs proposés ont été publiés 9 February dans la Partie I de la Gazette du Canada aux fins de consultation publique. Sous réserve des approbations réglementaires, ils entreraient en vigueur le 6 mai 2024.

¹ Estimation fondée sur les dépenses annuelles moyennes des entreprises et des ménages.

These are the current basic rates, as of January 21, 2023:

More rates can be found here, or use the USPS rate calculator.

[includes material from the USPS press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New Member Appointed to Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced the appointment of business executive and stamp collector Graham Beck to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC). CSAC members are appointed by the Postmaster General to provide expertise in business, history, science, technology, art, education, sports and other areas of public interest. Working together, they make recommendations for future stamp subjects.

An avid philatelist, Beck began collecting stamps at 8 years old as a child in South Africa as a fun way to learn about the world. His philatelic interests are varied but mostly center around topical and thematic collections. Since 2016, he has promoted philately through a YouTube channel, Exploring Stamps [from whose first episode the photo here is taken], that has gained more than 32,000 subscribers and nearly 4 million views during the past seven years. He is a member of a growing online philatelic community, producing educational and entertaining content for all levels of collectors.

Beck is a member of the American Philatelic Society (APS) and the American Topical Association. He was honored with an APS Kehr Award in 2022 for making philately attractive to newcomers. Also that year, he was featured as one of the 76 most influential philatelists by Linn’s Stamp News, in a special issue that recognized individuals who have had a positive influence on stamp collecting. He was also a top recruiter for the APS in 2020, although he says he doesn’t actively try to get people to join the organization.

“I would think that the reason people might be listing me as a referral is probably because I show how useful the APS is,” he told the APS in an interview then. “Several of my videos indirectly demonstrate the value of an APS membership.”

He cites World Stamp Expo-New York 2016 with helping bring him back to philately after a lapse for college and his move to the United States. He then “decided to start my YouTube channel that would help me to learn more about the hobby and potentially meet other collectors.”

Beck is an associate director with Bristol Myers Squibb and has worked for many years in hotel management and the pharmaceutical industry. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in geography and economics and a master’s in business administration from Rutgers Business School.

Beck lives in Central New Jersey with his wife, Laura, and West Highland terrier, Jonty.

Submitting Stamp Suggestions
Due to the time required for research and approval in the stamp selection process, ideas for stamp subjects should be received at least three years prior to the proposed issuance. Each submission should include pertinent historical information and important dates associated with the subject. Proposals must be in writing and submitted by U.S. Mail. No in-person appeals, phone calls or emails are accepted. Mail your suggestion (one topic per letter) to the address below:

Stamp Development
Attn: Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
475 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Room 3300
Washington, DC 20260-3501

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Announces New Director of Stamp Services

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Postal Service announced today that Lisa Bobb-Semple has been appointed to the role of director of Stamp Services, reporting to Sheila Holman, vice president, marketing.

Bobb-Semple is a 19-year veteran of the Postal Service and the appointment is effective immediately. She is shown on the left speaking at an American First Day Cover Society seminar at Great American Stamp Show 2023 in August.

As acting director since June 2023, Bobb-Semple has been responsible for the oversight of all aspects of Stamp Services at USPS headquarters, Stamp Fulfillment Services in Kansas City, MO, and the Stamp Distribution Center in Dulles, VA. She has successfully set direction and provided oversight for all aspects of the Postal Service’s stamp program.

“During her acting role, Lisa has successfully set the direction for and provided oversight for all aspects of the Postal Service’s stamp program, which celebrates the people, events and cultural milestones that are unique to the history of our great nation,” said Steven Monteith, chief customer and marketing officer and executive vice president.

Bobb-Semple joined the Postal Service in 2004 as an advertising specialist. She is an experienced marketing, sales and strategic planning leader, driving marketing strategies, advertising execution and lead generation programs. She has led high-profile marketing programs throughout her career, including product sampling initiatives, executing social selling programs and implementing the first sales enablement platform for USPS sales. She has held positions in Sales Strategy and Communications, Sales Outreach, Brand Marketing, Product Management, Product Innovation and Government Relations.

Bobb-Semple received a bachelor’s degree in organizational dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania, and her master’s Degree from the University of Virginia, Darden Graduate School of Business. She is also a graduate of the USPS Advanced Leadership Program.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Proposes New Prices for 2024

• New prices scheduled to take effect Jan. 21, 2024
• Postal Service prices remain among the most affordable in the world
• First-Class Forever stamp will be 68 cents

[VSC note: This is almost word-for-word the press release for the previous rate increase request six months ago, which the Postal Regulatory Commission granted without change.]

WASHINGTON, DC — Today [October 6, 2023], the United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect Jan. 21, 2024. The new rates include a 2-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, from 66 cents to 68 cents.

The proposed adjustments, approved by the governors of the Postal Service, would raise mailing services product prices approximately 2 percent. If favorably reviewed by the commission, the price changes would include:

There will be no change to the additional-ounce price, which remains at 24 cents. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.

As inflationary pressures on operating expenses continue and the effects of a previously

defective pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service with much needed revenue to achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The prices of the Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.

The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. The mailing services filing is Docket No. R2024-1. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

At a seminar sponsored by the American First Day Cover Society at Great American Stamp Show 2023 in Cleveland, officials of U.S. Postal Service’s Stamp Services department revealed they have embarked on an effort to familiarize postal workers with the stamps it issues. “The USPS wants to increase awareness” about new stamps, acting manager Lisa Bobb-Semple (left) said. That includes direct-mail to some employees describing and depicting the new issues.

Too often, postal clerks say they had not heard about an issue that has been released, or expressed amazement at the new designs. A few even have refused to honor new issues they don’t recognize.

Many, if not all, post offices do receive posters and counter-mats showing new issues. The new issues are also shown and described, in detail, in the biweekly Postal Bulletin, which all supervisory personnel are supposed to read.

Unfortunately for Stamp Services, the actual retail operations of the USPS fall under another department.

The Postal Regulatory Commission approved these changes on May 31, 2023.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Files Notice with PRC for New Mailing Services Pricing

• Actions taken to address continued elevated inflation and prior years defective pricing model
• New prices scheduled to take effect July 9, 2023
• Postal Service prices remain among the most affordable in the world

[VSC note: This is almost word-for-word the press release for the previous rate increase request six months ago, which the Postal Regulatory Commission granted without change.]

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of mailing services price changes to take effect July 9, 2023. The new rates include a three-cent increase in the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp from 63 cents to 66 cents.

If favorably reviewed by the Commission, the proposed increases will raise First-Class Mail prices approximately 5.4 percent to offset the rise in inflation. The price changes have been approved by the Governors of the U.S. Postal Service.

The price for 1-ounce metered mail will increase to 63 cents, and the price to send a domestic postcard will increase to 51 cents. A 1-ounce letter mailed to another country would increase to $1.50. There will be no change to the single-piece letter and flat additional-ounce price, which remains at 24 cents. The Postal Service is also seeking price adjustments for Special Services products including Certified Mail, Post Office Box rental fees, money order fees and the cost to purchase insurance when mailing an item.

The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:

As operating expenses fueled by inflation continue to rise and the effects of a previously defective pricing model are still being felt, these price adjustments are needed to provide the Postal Service with much needed revenueto achieve the financial stability sought by its Delivering for America 10-year plan. The prices of the U.S. Postal Service remain among the most affordable in the world.

The PRC will review the changes before they are scheduled to take effect. The complete Postal Service price filing, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website under the Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. The Mailing Services filing is Docket No. R2023-2. The price tables are also available on the Postal Service’s Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

I was surprised at the flimsy packaging on a recent stamp order from Stamp Fulfillment Services. There was no cardboard in the plastic envelope (shown here), which could have been especially important since the order included both flat panes and a three-dimensional coil. If something heavy had been placed on top of this package, the coil would have left an imprint on the panes. Luckily, there were only a few minor marks.