USPS Operation Santa Enters 21st Century

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Operation Santa Launches Online Catalog Santa’s Gift Shoppe Powered by Toys“R”Us®
New e-commerce option for gift fulfillment makes it easy to shop for and ship the perfect gift

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service is announcing the debut of an online e-commerce catalog for the fulfillment of gifts: Santa’s Gift Shoppe, an online option developed exclusively for USPS Operation Santa letter adopters, powered by Toys“R”Us, just in time for the start of the program’s first day of letter adoption.

The new site offers a streamlined experience, making it easier for participants to shop for the ideal gift and ship it from the comfort of their homes with just a click.

The online catalog boasts a selection of toys and gifts from Toys“R”Us, allowing letter adopters to find something special for each letter writer, while the integration with shipping options from the Postal Service, such as USPS Ground Advantage, helps ensure that gifts are affordable to ship and arrive in time for the holidays.

“USPS Operation Santa has connected communities through holiday goodwill for over a century,” said USPS Marketing Vice President Sheila Holman. “This year, through our collaboration with Toys“R”Us, we’re thrilled to bring an easier way for generous people to make a difference. With the launch of this new e-commerce platform, we’re making it simpler than ever to help fulfill wishes and spread holiday joy.”

The introduction of Santa’s Gift Shoppe marks the first of what the Postal Service hopes to be several collaborations in expanding its online catalog to include clothing, shoes, books and more.

“Our joint effort with Toys“R”Us is just the beginning. We’re looking to broaden our selection of gifts in the future to help expand the impact of USPS Operation Santa and create even more opportunities for Americans to spread holiday cheer,” said Holman.

Since its inception 112 years ago, USPS Operation Santa has enabled the public to adopt letters to Santa written by children and families. By choosing a letter, participants make a direct impact on their communities, bringing hope, joy and generosity to the holiday season.

The launch of the e-commerce site coincides with the first day of letter adoption for the program’s 2024 holiday season. Supporters are invited to visit the official USPS Operation Santa website to browse letters, choose a child’s wish to fulfill and benefit from the enhanced shopping and shipping options through Santa’s Gift Shoppe to make holiday dreams come true.

“At Toys“R”Us, our mission is to bring joy to children, and what better way than to surprise them with gifts from Santa,” said Gary Haas, vice president of e-commerce at Toys“R”Us. “Through this new e-commerce platform, generous individuals can easily adopt a letter to Santa and help create magical moments for a new generation of Toys“R”Us kids.”

Also this holiday season, USPS Operation Santa will be featured in a new season of “Dear Santa, The Series,” debuting Nov. 24 on all ABC-owned television stations and streaming on Hulu beginning Nov. 29. The series provides a heartwarming, behind-the-scenes look at the impact of the program, showcasing real stories of generosity and the spirit of the holidays as letters are answered and wishes are fulfilled. “Dear Santa, The Series” captures the essence of USPS Operation Santa, highlighting the dedication of the Postal Service, the support of generous Americans and the joy felt by recipients across the nation.

For more information on how to participate in the program, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.

Canada Post Workers On Strike

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
CUPW announces national strike that will cause delays for Canadians as holiday shopping season begins
Postal system will shut down during national strike; mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has announced it intends to begin a national strike on Friday, November 15 at 12:01 a.m. ET.

Canada Post’s operations will shut down during a national strike, affecting millions of Canadians and businesses across the country.

Customers should expect delays
Customers will experience delays due to the strike activity. Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered for the duration of the national strike, and some post offices will be closed. Service guarantees will be impacted for items already in the postal network. No new items will be accepted until the national disruption is over.

All mail and parcels in the postal network will be secured and delivered as quickly as possible on a first-in, first-out basis once operations resume. However, a national strike of any length will impact service to Canadians well after the strike activity ends. Shutting down facilities across the country will affect Canada Post’s entire national network. Processing and delivery may take some time to fully return to normal.

Stay up to date
Visit canadapost.ca/negotiations for the latest information on negotiations and updates on strike activity.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Le STTP annonce une grève nationale qui occasionnera des retards alors que le magasinage des Fêtes commence
Le système postal cessera ses activités pendant la grève nationale; le courrier et les colis ne seront pas traités ni livrés.

OTTAWA, ON, le 15 nov. 2024 /CNW/ – Le Syndicat des travailleurs et travailleuses des postes (STTP) a annoncé son intention de déclencher une grève nationale le vendredi 15 novembre à 00 h 01 (ET).

Postes Canada cessera ses activités pendant une grève nationale, ce qui touchera les entreprises et des millions de personnes au pays.

Il faut s’attendre à des retards
Il y aura des retards en raison de la grève. Le courrier et les colis ne seront ni traités ni livrés durant la grève nationale et certains bureaux de poste seront fermés. Les garanties de service seront touchées pour les articles déjà dans le réseau postal. Aucun nouvel article ne sera accepté jusqu’à la fin de l’arrêt de travail à l’échelle nationale.

Tout le courrier et tous les colis dans le réseau postal seront sécurisés et livrés dès que possible à la reprise des activités selon le principe du premier entré, premier sorti. Toutefois, une grève nationale, peu importe la durée, aura une incidence sur le service bien après la fin des activités de grève. La fermeture d’installations à l’échelle du pays aura des répercussions sur l’ensemble du réseau national de Postes Canada. Cela pourrait prendre un certain temps avant que le traitement et la livraison reviennent à la normale.

Pour ne rien manquer
Allez à postescanada.ca/negociations pour obtenir les dernières nouvelles sur les négociations et la grève.

No U.S. Rate Hike in January 2025

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Announces No Stamp Price Changes for January 2025

  • Postmaster General DeJoy’s recommendation not to raise prices for Market Dominant products in January 2025 approved by the Governors of the Postal Service
  • Delivering For America plan is a balanced plan that is working to control costs and grow our package business
  • Postal Service prices remain among the most affordable in the world

WASHINGTON — A recommendation by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy not to raise prices in January 2025 for Market Dominant products, which includes First-Class Mail, was accepted by the Governors of the United States Postal Service. Accordingly, the price of a stamp to mail a 1-once single-piece First-Class letter will not increase.

The Postal Service’s operational strategies are designed to boost service reliability, cost efficiency, and overall productivity.

“Our strategies are working and projected inflation is declining,” said Postmaster General DeJoy. “Therefore, we will wait until at least July before proposing any increases for market dominant services.”

The Postal Service remains committed to continued cost saving measures and to keeping its products and services affordable. Only a handful of countries have a lower price for a domestic single-piece letter.

Lastly, the Postal Service continues to deliver on the tenets of the Delivering for America 10-year plan, while executing our public service mission — to provide a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress intended and the law requires.

USPS Seeks Temporary Holiday Package Hike

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Proposes Temporary Rate Changes for 2024 Holiday Shipping Season

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service filed notice today with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) regarding a temporary price change for some package services for the 2024 peak holiday season. This temporary price adjustment is to help cover extra handling costs to ensure a successful peak season.

The planned peak-season pricing, which was approved by the governors of the Postal Service on Aug. 8, would affect prices on the following commercial and retail domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM) and USPS Ground Advantage. No other products or services would be affected.Pending favorable review by the PRC, the temporary rates would go into effect at midnight Central on Oct. 6 and remain in place until midnight Central on Jan. 19, 2025.

This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s commercial and retail customers in line with competitive practices.

As a strategic part of the Delivering for America 10-year plan, these temporary changes will support the Postal Service in creating a revitalized organization capable of achieving our public service mission — providing a nationwide, integrated network for the delivery of mail and packages at least six days a week — in a cost-effective and financially sustainable manner over the long term, just as the U.S. Congress has intended.

The planned price changes include:

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 1-4
Commercial:

  • $0.30 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
  • $0.45 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
  • $0.75 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
  • $3.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail Zone 5-9

  • $0.70 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
  • $1.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
  • $2.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
  • $7.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9

  • $0.35 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
  • $0.75 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
  • $1.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
  • $5.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Priority Mail and USPS Ground Advantage: Zone 1-4
Retail:

  • $0.40 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
  • $0.55 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs
  • $0.95 cents increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
  • $4.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs

Priority Mail Zone 5-9

  • $0.90 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
  • $1.45 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
  • $3.25 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
  • $8.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs

 

USPS Ground Advantage Zone 5-9

  • $0.50 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
  • $1.00 cents increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
  • $2.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
  • $5.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs

Priority Mail Express:
Commercial:

  • $1.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
  • $1.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
  • $1.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
  • $3.95 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
  • $3.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
  • $7.50 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
  • $8.95 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs
  • $13.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

Retail:

  • $1.10 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-3 lbs.
  • $2.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-3 lbs.
  • $2.00 increase for Zones 1-4, 4-10 lbs.
  • $4.85 increase for Zones 5-9, 4-10 lbs.
  • $3.90 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-25 lbs.
  • $9.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-25 lbs.
  • $9.75 increase for Zones 1-4, 26-70 lbs
  • $16.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 26-70 lbs.

The PRC will review the proposed prices before they are scheduled to take effect Oct. 6. Complete USPS price filings, with prices for all products, can be found on the PRC website’s Daily Listings section at prc.gov/dockets/daily. Price change tables are also available on the Postal Explorer website at pe.usps.com/PriceChange/Index.

Notably, the Postal Service has some of the lowest postage rates in the industrialized world and continues to offer great values in shipping.

VSC Note: Retail customers may find it easier to just go to the USPS Rate Calculator for the latest rates.

USPS Adds Cheng To Advisory Panel

[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 Alicia Cheng, a graphic designer and educator, 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.

Cheng is currently head of design at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where she leads the team responsible for designing exhibitions, permanent galleries and communications materials.

Before that, Cheng was a co-design director at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and later went on to become a founding partner of MGMT. design, a collaborative female-owned graphic design studio focusing on exhibition design, museum publications, print, branding and data visualization.

She currently serves as an external critic for the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program at the Rhode Island School of Design, and has taught at Yale University, Maryland Institute College of Art, Barnard College and the Cooper Union School of Art.

A keen student of the early development of communication and distribution systems, Cheng has contributed articles on Victorian photography and public service announcements to The Atlantic magazine and an article on the history of the printed ballot for The New Yorker. In 2020, she published the book “This Is What Democracy Looked Like: A Visual History of the Printed Ballot,” with an accompanying exhibition at the Cooper Union.

She is a member of the Board of Visitors for the Temple University Rome Program and was a past board member of AIGA/NY and the Fine Arts Federation, a design advocacy consortium in New York City.

Cheng attended Barnard College in New York City and received an MFA in graphic design from Yale University with a focus on information design and dance notation systems. She was born in Ann Arbor, MI, and resides in Brooklyn NY with her husband and daughter.

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

Jackson Appointed to U.S. Advisory Panel

[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

USPS Gets July 2024 Increases

As expected, the Postal Rate Commission granted the USPS request. The details are in the press release about the proposal.

[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:

Product
Letters (1 oz.)
Letters (metered 1 oz.)
Additional Ounces
Domestic Postcards
International Postcards
International Letter (1 oz.)
Current Prices
68¢
64¢
24¢
53¢
$1.55
$1.55
Proposed Prices
73¢
69¢
28¢
56¢
$1.65
$1.65

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%

Canada Post Proposes May 2024 Rate Hike

[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 PermanentsMC 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 CanadaMC.

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 recommandéMC 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.

Current U.S. Postal Rates (as of July 2024)

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

Product
Letters (1 oz.)
Additional ounces
Letters (metered 1 oz.)
Domestic Postcards
International Postcards
International Letter (1 oz.)
Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope
Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
Large Envelopes (flats) (1 oz.)
Ground Advantage, starts at (by zone and weight)
Semi-Postal Stamps
Prices
73¢
28¢
69¢
56¢
$1.65
$1.65
$30.45
$9.85
$1.50
$3.79
85¢

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

Beck Named to U.S. Advisory Panel

[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