Former PMG Blasts Stamp Selection Process

Posted on August 4, 2014 by VSC

Former Postmaster General Benjamin F. Bailar has quit the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, reports Linn’s Stamp News, saying it has becoming overly concerned with making money for the USPS and not with the significance of the stamps the U.S. issues. Bailar was a serious stamp collector before he became PMG, and remains an APS member, so this reduces the number of “real” stamp collectors on CSAC further. The Linn’s story is here.

According to the article by Linn’s Washington Correspondent Bill McAllister, Bailar’s letter to Postmaster General Patrick J. Donahoe is scathing at points.

“In my opinion the stamp program should celebrate the things that are great about the United States and serve as a medium to communicate those things to a world-wide audience. To prostitute that goal in the pursuit of possibly illusory profits does not make sense to me,” he wrote.

What’s important to remember is that Bailar isn’t a “philatelic battlefield conversion,” one of these postal stamp functionaries who, when asked if he is a stamp collector, says, “I am now.” Bailar was a stamp collector before he became Postmaster General (1975-78) and after. See the VSC radio feature with him from 2007. Read his comments at the dedication of the Gordon and Mary Morison Pavilion at the American Philatelic Center earlier that year. (The photo above was taken at that event.)

But Bailar also has solid business credentials. He’s a graduate of Harvard Business School, according to Wikipedia, and has worked for several major corporations.

One more quote from the letter, as quoted in the Linn’s article: “The idea that the stamp program can make a meaningful contribution at the Postal Service is not realistic.”

Stamp sales are a drop in the bucket of USPS revenues. They are a drop in the bucket of the USPS deficit. They do garner publicity for the USPS, but to what end? If you want to mail a birthday card to your mother, chances are you won’t use UPS or FedEx. The USPS has no competitors in U.S. mail delivery.

Bailar says membership on CSAC is no longer rewarding. Indications are he is not the only established stamp collector to quit the panel for that reason.

Bailar’s departure leaves Janet Klug, a well-known philatelist, former American Philatelic Society president, exhibit judge and columnist, as Chair of CSAC. And perhaps nominee for for Philatelic Sisyphus of The Decade.

Duck Stamp

Posted on August 4, 2014 by VSC

On June 27, 2014, in Washington, DC at the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Department of the Interior will issue the $15 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp for the 2014–2015 waterfowl hunting season.

The stamp will go on sale nationwide June 27, 2014, and is valid through June 30, 2015.

The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp will be available in the following formats:

Water-activated gum (WAG) Pane of 20 (Item 335000).
Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) Pane of 1 (Item 335100).

There are four philatelic products for this stamp issue.

335006 Migratory Bird Uncut Press Sheet (WAG), $1,100.00 (Quantity 100).
335106 Migratory Bird Uncut Press Sheet Flat (PSA), $350.00 (Quantity 100).
541418 Migratory Bird Silk Cachet, $25.00.
541425 Migratory Bird Artist Commemorative Card, $50.00.

Technical Specifications:
Issue: Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp
Item Number: 335000
Denomination & Type of Issue: $15.00 Special
Format: Sheet of 20 (1 design)
Series: Federal Duck
Issue Date & City: June 27, 2014, Washington, DC
Art Director: Laurie Shaffer, FWS
Artist: Adam Grimm
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset/Microprint “FWS”
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Stevens, Vari-Size Security
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 100,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Water-Activated Gum
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Invisible Fluorescent
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.73 x 1.26 in./44.02 x 32.00 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.89 x 1.42 in./48.01 x 35.99 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 10.25 x 7.09 in./260.35 x 179.96 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 18.00 x 22.00 in./457.20 x 558.80 mm
Plate Size: 60 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by 11111 (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: “Artist: Adam Grimm” in four positions • DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 20 x $15.00 in four positions • Silhouetted Image of Duck printed in B, C, M, Y, in two positions • Plate number in four positions
Back: Barcode (335000) in four positions • Verso-text behind each stamp

Issue: Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp
Item Number: 335100
Denomination & Type of Issue: $15.00 Special
Format: Pane of 1
Series: Federal Duck
Issue Date & City: June 27, 2014, Washington, DC
Art Director: Laurie Shaffer, FWS
Artist: Adam Grimm
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset/Microprint “FWS”
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Stevens, Vari-Size Security
Stamps per Pane: 1
Print Quantity: 2,500,000 stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III
Adhesive Type: Pressure Sensitive Adhesive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Invisible Fluorescent
Stamp Orientation: Horizontal
Image Area (w x h): 1.73 x 1.26 in./44.02 x 32.00 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 1.89 x 1.42 in./48.01 x 35.99 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.13 x 2.63 in./155.58 x 66.68 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 18.00 x 22.00 in./457.20 x 558.80 mm
Plate Size: 18 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: N/A
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: “U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service” • 2014-2015 Migratory Bird Hunting & Conservation Stamp • Peel Here • Artist: Adam Grimm • Canvasback • If applicable peel and attach to hunting license • Informational text
Back: Verso-text • Ordering information • UPC Code (015645335103)

U.N. Scott Catalogue Update – August 2014

Posted on August 4, 2014 by VSC

United Nations – New York

1087 International Year of Jazz sheet of 12
a. 49¢ Trumpeter with cap and mute in trumpet
b. 49¢ Silhouette of trumpeter in tan
c. 49¢ Saxophone
d. 49¢ Trumpet
e. 49¢ Silhouette of trumpeter in lilac
f. 49¢ Saxophonist wearing hat
g. 49¢ Man with hat holding trombone
h. 49¢ Green saxophone
i. 49¢ Saxophonist without hat
j. 49¢ Trombone
k. 49¢ Trumpeter wearing hat
l. 49¢ Microphone
1088 33¢ Statue and satellite
1089 $2 Abstract art

U36 46¢+3¢ Surcharged Circle and Dots #6¾ size stamped envelope (on Scott U34)
U37 46¢+3¢ Surcharged Circle and Dots #10 size stamped envelope (on Scott U35)

UC32 $1.10+5¢ Surcharged Circle and Dots air letter sheet (on Scott UC31)

United Nations – Geneva

579 International Year of Jazz sheet of 12
a. 1fr Woman behind microphone
b. 1fr Saxophone
c. 1fr Silhouette of pianist at grand piano
d. 1fr Cymbal and silhouette of man holding trumpet
e. 1fr Cymbal and clarinet
f. 1fr Clarinet and drum
g. 1fr Hi-hat
h. 1fr Silhouette of drummer and drum set
i. 1fr Trumpeter with hat
j. 1fr Microphone and cymbal stands
k. 1fr Clarinetist
l. 1fr Bass player
580 2.20fr Palais des Nations
581 2.60fr Peacock
United Nations – Vienna

542 International Year of Jazz sheet of 12
a. 70c Silhouette of saxophonist in blue
b. 70c Woman singing
c. 70c Silhouette of man in red, neon lights
d. 70c Bass player
e. 70c Trombone in gold
f. 70c Silhouette of saxophonist in black, silhouette of man holding trombone
g. 70c “Cocktails” neon sign
h. 70c Silhouette of bass player in orange
i. 70c Stack of record albums
j. 70c Cymbal
k. 70c Trombone in silver
l. 70c Silhouette of clarinetist in black
543 Vienna International Center, 35th Anniversary sheet of 10 + 10 labels
a. 70c Vienna International Center under construction (towers and shadows), red panel + label
b. 70c Vienna International Center, street light at left, green panel + label
c. 70c Vienna International Center, curved building at left, green panel + label
d. 70c Vienna International Center under construction (arch in foreground, cranes at right), red panel + label
e. 70c Vienna International Center under construction (cranes at left, center and right), red panel + label
f. 70c Doorway to Vienna International Center, green panel + label
g. 70c View of curved buildings of Vienna International Center looking up from ground, green panel + label
h. 70c Vienna International Center under construction (two cranes on central tower), red panel + label
i. 70c Completed Vienna International Center, red panel + label
j. 70c Flags in front of Vienna International center, green panel + label
544 70c Bird over Vienna International Center buildings
545 €1.70 Vienna International Center

U.S. Scott Numbers – August Update

Posted on August 4, 2014 by VSC

RW81 $15 Canvasbacks Hunting Permit Stamp
RW81A $15 Canvasbacks Hunting Permit Stamp, self-adhesive

What Others Should Do

Posted on August 4, 2014 by VSC

by Lloyd A. de Vries

I was amused recently by some of the letters to the editor in the August American Philatelist (the journal of the American Philatelic Society) and the subsequent discussion in another online stamp collecting discussion venue.

There were two subjects in the letters that caught my attention, equally silly, in my opinion.

One was a rehash of the location of the APS headquarters. “Why is it in the middle of nowhere?”

Give it a rest already. We’ve been over this ground several times.

First, my credentials: I was on the APS Board of Directors when we decided that the previous building in State College, Pa., was no longer adequate and chose the former Match Factory in neighboring Bellefonte. I believe I was the deciding vote to purchase the present building, and it wasn’t an easy decision. I daresay I spent more time looking at the issue then than all three letter-writers combined.

There were many contributing factors to my decision, but I’ll cut right to the most important one: The APS staff. I think as a whole they’re wonderful, and I doubt if most of them would have made the move to another metro area.

Many had working spouses, or were firmly established in the State College area. (APS employees tend to stay for a long period of time.)

Besides the excellence of the staff, there would have been the time required to train new staffers: The jargon (“bourse,” “expertise,” and so on), how to handle stamps, and so on.

Because the cost of living is much higher in any major metropolitan area, we would have had to pay the staffers, or their replacements, more money.

Speaking of money, real estate would have cost more in a major metropolitan area.

Oh, and about those “metropolitan areas:” Everyone had a different idea of what those are.

Someone threatened to sue if we didn’t choose Chicago.

I remember talking to another member who lived in New York City back then, who was insisting the APS should move to a “major metropolitan area.”

“You’re right,” I said. “We’re looking into Los Angeles.”

“No, I mean a MAJOR metropolitan area.”

Okay.

The other idea espoused in a letter, and then taken ad absurdum online, was to open branch offices of the APS around the country, each in a (wait for it) major metropolitan area.

The cost of renting office space in one big city plus paying someone’s salary there would be astronomical, but several?

And the question was raised online, what would the APS Branch Office staffer do?

Be outreach for the society, helping local stamp organizations, answering questions and glad-handing potential donors were some of the answers.

Is that really a full-time job? Well, the offices could be staffed by volunteers. I’m not sure the APS could find 10-20 volunteers to sit in an office 40 hours a week, and there’s still the issues of rent, phone, Internet, furniture, and so on.

One supporter then said that the offices didn’t have to be downtown, but could be in “outlying strip malls.” Well, as a resident of a municipality with the New York (major) metropolitan area, I can see where that would lead: “Why didn’t you choose MY outlying strip mall?”

Stamp society officials hear these “pie in the sky” suggestions all the time. Another perennial is that the APS or another stamp society should advertise in AARP, the magazine for over-50s, either to promote itself or to promote stamp collecting.

The cheapest rate I found for the magazine was $45,260 for a sixth of a page. Black-and-white. One ad. One issue.

The APS only charges $45 a year for membership.

People tell me all the time (and did when I was on the APS board) that my stamp organization should do this, or should do that. Some of these suggestions are as silly as branch offices in outlying strip malls. Some actually have potential

But when I’ve asked the person making the suggestion if he or she would chair the program or spearhead the project, I’ve been turned down.

“I’m too busy.”

“I’m not the right person for this.”

“I’m not in good health.”

Funny how that works, isn’t it?

Canada Honors Country Artists

Posted on August 2, 2014 by VSC

[press release]
Canada Post celebrates Canadian Country Artists, past and present

OTTAWA, July 31, 2014 /CNW/ – Today Canada Post recognizes Canada’s contribution to the evolution of country music with a series of five new stamps featuring some of the country’s most renowned artists. The new stamps feature Tommy Hunter, k.d. lang, Renée Martel, Hank Snow and Shania Twain – 5 of the most unique voices in Canada’s country music history.

“The music of these artists holds a special place for so many Canadians, and these stamps are likely to stir memories of those lasting musical moments,” says the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

“Our selection for this stamp series reflects the remarkable variety within Canadian – and international – country music, crossing generations and musical approaches,” says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post. “We’re delighted to celebrate the music and achievements of these artists today.”

Tommy Hunter: For generations of Canadians, Tommy Hunter was like an old friend, singing to them for 27 years on the longest-running network country music television show in the world. A major force in raising the profile and popularity of Canadian country music, Tommy Hunter – Canada’s Country Gentleman – has been inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada.

k.d. lang: In a career that has spanned nearly 30 years, with over a dozen albums and millions of records sold worldwide, k.d. lang has won both JUNO and Grammy awards for her work. She has received a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award and is an Officer of the Order of Canada. The Canadian Country Music Association has named k.d. lang both Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.

Renée Martel: Renée Martel has enjoyed a long and outstanding career. Born in 1947 in Drummondville, Quebec, she grew up in the musical universe of her parents, both musicians. Her father was Marcel Martel, a popular Quebec country music singer from the 1940s. Renée’s own musical journey has swung between the modern and the traditional, between the world of pop music and her country heritage. Her current discography includes more than 25 albums and her musical heritage has lived on.

Hank Snow: Hank Snow, the Singing Ranger, was born 100 years ago in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia. Snow began his career at CHNS Radio in Halifax in 1933, and toured the Maritimes and Western Canada playing at county fairs and local radio stations. In 1936, he recorded under RCA Victor’s Bluebird label in Montréal and signed what would become the longest continuous contract in the history of the recording industry – lasting 47 years. In 1950, Ernest Tubb invited him to join the Grand Ole Opry, where he continued to perform for four and a half decades. Hank Snow recorded over 100 albums, was elected to eight music and song-writing halls of fame, and was voted Canada’s top country performer 10 times.

Shania Twain: Shania Twain is a true Canadian superstar. She was born in Windsor, Ontario and raised in Timmins, and rose to fame in the early 1990s with her debut album Shania Twain in 1993. Her 1997 album, Come On Over, became the best-selling album of all time by a female musician, and the best-selling country album of all time. She has sold over 75 million albums worldwide, won five Grammy Awards, 27 BMI Songwriter Awards, 26 Canadian Country Music Awards and 12 JUNO Awards, among many others. She has also received a star on Hollywood Boulevard and was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

About the stamps
The stamps measure 40 mm x 32 mm and are available in five separate booklets of 10, one featuring each artist. The five separate souvenir sheets measure 140 mm x 110 mm. The stamps were printed by Lowe Martin Group. Sabrina McAllister and Xerxes Irani designed the Shania Twain, Hank Snow and Renée Martel stamps. The k.d. lang and Tommy Hunter stamps were designed by Roy White of Subplot Design Inc. The Official First Day Cover cancellation sites are: Shania Twain, Windsor, Ont.; Tommy Hunter, London, Ont.; k.d. Lang, Edmonton, Alta.; Renée Martel, Drummondville, Que. and Hank Snow, Brooklyn, N.S. To download images of the stamps or to purchase philatelic products, please visit canadapost.ca/shop.

VSC’s radio feature on these stamps is here.

Canada Post’s Official FDCs (available singly or as a set):

Petersburg First Day Ceremony Photos

Posted on August 2, 2014 by VSC

Courtesy the U.S. Postal Service.

The audience inside the tent. VSC member Foster Miller is at the center of the photograph, second row. Photo by Mark Saunders, USPS.

Chief U.S. Postal Service Inspector Guy Cottrell dedicated the stamps just yards from the location of an underground explosion — that took place150 years ago, on July 30, 1864 — which created a huge depression in the earth and led to the battle being named “Battle of the Crater.” Photo by Daniel Afzal, USPS.

Lewis Rogers, Superintendent, Petersburg National Battlefield. Photo by Daniel Afzal, USPS.

L to R: Living history reenactor Charles Harris, Sgt. 22nd United States Colored Troops Company A; Chris Bryce, Chief of Interpretation, Petersburg National Battlefield; Colonel Paul K. Brooks, Garrison Commander, Fort Lee Army Base; Guy Cottrell, Chief Postal Inspector, United States Postal Service; Lewis Rogers, Superintendent, Petersburg National Battlefield; Dr. Malcom Beech, President USCTLHA; James Blankenship Historian, Petersburg National Battlefield. Photo by Mark Saunders, USPS.

Chris Bryce, Chief of Interpretation, Petersburg National Battlefield. Photo by Daniel Afzal, USPS.

Colonel Paul K. Brooks, Garrison Commander, Fort Lee Army Base. Photo by Daniel Afzal, USPS.

Dr. Malcom Beech, President USCTLHA and the 22nd United States Color Troops Company A. Photo by Daniel Afzal, USPS.

Photo by Mark Saunders, USPS.

Stamp sales and cancellations tent. Photo by Mark Saunders, USPS.

Two reenactors examine a first day ceremony program. Photo by Mark Saunders, USPS.

Reenactors portray a Confederate artillery crew: L to R: John Schmidt, Scissel Morris, Andrew Manning and Charlie Helmer of the Pegram’s Company of VA Light Artillery. Photo by Daniel Afzal, USPS.

Photo by Daniel Afzal, USPS.

U.S. Colored Troops (Union Army) reenactors. L to R: Leon Vaughan, Ludger K. Balan and Charles Harris Sgt. 22nd USCT (United States Colored Troops) Company A. Photo by Daniel Afzal, USPS.