Monthly Archives: November 2014

Van Johnson Stamp from U.S. in 2016?

Posted on by

Van_Johnson_1972Maybe. Elsewhere here in the VSC blogging system, Roberta Shaffner wrote:

A USPO Stamp for the great MGM film star, Van Johnson is a strong
possibility, as his l00th birthday in 2016 is approaching. According to news
from Mr. Johnson’s hometown, The Newport Patch in RI has posted on its
website that a stamp honoring Van Johnson, Newport’s Native Son is
likely. His many fans dearly hope so, and the fact that the Citizens Stamp
Advisory Committee is “considering” him is a positive indication.

Well, maybe yes, but maybe no.

First, the Patch article in November follows articles in August by the Smithville (Missouri) Herald (I’m not sure of the connection there) and the Providence (R.I.) Journal two weeks later. Both were written by the same freelancer. The Patch article has many of the same quotes, although it has a different byline. Ms. Shaffer is credited in all the articles with being one of the driving forces behind the stamp, by the way.

Second, someone connected with the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee leaked a list of upcoming stamp subjects for the next several years to the Washington Post in January 2014, and I don’t see Van Johnson on it. He may be there; the list is in a format that’s hard to search, but Elizabeth Taylor is listed as the Legends of Hollywood stamp for 2016. Johnson also isn’t listed as a beyond-2016 subject. The “Deep CSAC” list has been remarkably accurate, although not perfectly.

None of the articles say the U.S. Postal Service has announced or confirmed a Van Johnson stamp. CSAC receives something like 40,000 suggestions a year, and the USPS has a charming way of not promising anything while appearing to hold out hope for stamp subject proponents. “Serious consideration” is one of its favorite stock phrases. Supporters, however, don’t catch the waffling, the non-committal.

Does that mean there won’t be a Van Johnson stamp in 2016? No. It means most of us don’t one way or the other at this point. Maybe not until 2016.

Martin Ramirez (U.S. 2015)

Posted on by

Updated February 28th: Here is the design for the Digital Color Postmark first-day cancel: ramirez_dcp_vscIt measures 3.00″x1.26″

Updated February 20th: The first-day ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. at the Ricco-Maresca Gallery in New York City.

Updated February 19th: From the Postal Bulletin:

ramirez_stripOn March 26, 2015, in New York, NY, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Martin Ramirez First-Class Mail® stamps (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in five designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 472700).

The stamps will go on sale nationwide March 26, 2015.

Five new commemorative stamps honor Martìn Ramìrez (1895–1963), who, while virtually unknown in his lifetime, is recognized today as one of the great artists of the 20th century. Each stamp features details from one of five of Ramìrez’s more than 450 drawings and collages. Although confined to psychiatric hospitals for more than 30 years, Ramìrez transcended his own situation to create a remarkably visualized world free from the constraints of borders or time itself. The back of the stamp pane includes verso text. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp pane.

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 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:

Martin Ramirez Stamps
Special Events Coordinator
380 West 33rd Street
New York, NY 10199-9998

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 May 25, 2015.

There are eight philatelic products for this stamp issue:

  • 472706 Press Sheet with Die cut, $117.60 (print quantity 250)
  • 472708 Press Sheet without Die cut, $117.60 (print quantity 500)
  • 472710 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake (set of 5), $18.95
  • 472716 First-Day Cover (set of 5), $4.65
  • 472721 Digital Color Postmark (set of 5), $8.20
  • 472730 Ceremony Program, $6.95 (random)
  • 472731 Stamp Deck Card, $0.95
  • 472732 Stamp Deck Card/Digital Color Postmark, $1.99 (random)

Technical Specifications:

ramirez_stripIssue: Martin Ramirez Stamps
Item Number: 472700
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (5 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: March 26, 2015, New York, NY 10199
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Typographer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Existing Art: Martin Ramirez
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 20 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, PMS Warm Grey 10
Stamp Orientation: Square
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./31.11 x 31.11 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.00 x 8.00 in./152.40 x 203.20 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 24.00 x 24.00 in./ 609.60 x 609.60 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by five (5) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: © 2014 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (472700) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text • Martin Ramirez bio

ramirez_stripUpdated January 15th: The first day will take place March 26 at 6 p.m. in NYC at the Ricco/Maresca Gallery.

Updated December 23rd: The gallery tie-in is confirmed. The exact date is not, but it should be the 30th or 31st of March. Illustrations were also provided of these five stamps.

A self-taught Mexican-American artist, this stamp or stamps honoring Martin Ramirez will be issued March 31st in New York City.

There appear to be significant holdings of his works at the American Folk Art Museum and the Ricco Maresca Gallery, both in New York. (If you click on the “artists” section in the Gallery’s website, there are illustrations and videos.) My guess would be that there will be a new exhibition of his work opening on or about the 31st at one of these venues.

Ramirez himself spent most of his adult life in California mental institutions, according to Wikipedia.ramirez_pane

Special Olympics World Games (U.S. 2015)

Posted on by

Updated May 13th:: Here is the first-day Digital Color Postmark design for this issue: specoly_dcp_vscsize: 3.0″ x 1.72″. The B&W or “rubber” postmark for this issue is the standard FDOI 4-bar.

Updated May 8th:
[press release]

Special Olympics World Games Commemorated on Forever Stamp
Games to take place in Los Angeles from July 25 to Aug. 2
Screen Shot 2015-02-20 at 9.53.11 AMIRVINE, CA — The U.S. Postal Service began celebrating the 2015 Special Olympics World Games by issuing the Special Olympics World Games Forever stamp during the Special Olympics Southern California 2015 Orange County Spring Regional Games in Irvine tomorrow. The stamp will be available nationwide May 9.

As the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement, the Special Olympics World Games will be held in Los Angeles from July 25 – Aug. 2. More than half a million spectators will enjoy nine days of challenging and inspiring international competition as more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries compete in 25 Olympic-type sports. The athletes will include 344 from the United States. Visit Special Olympics USA for the complete U.S. team listing.

Today, Special Olympics has grown to encompass nearly 5 million athletes worldwide. Every year, with the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics organizes more than 81,000 games and competitions. The 2015 Special Olympics World Games will showcase what Special Olympics is accomplishing every day, around the world.

“Today, the Postal Service is pleased to honor Special Olympics, an organization that — for nearly five decades — has changed the world by creating opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities,” said USPS Pacific Area Vice President Dean Granholm. “In doing so, we honor the important work of Special Olympics, which uses sports as the catalyst for societal change in the areas of health, education, and in creating communities of acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities everywhere. Using these stamps on your cards, letters and packages is a great way to show your support for these athletes.”

Joining Granholm in dedicating the stamps were Special Olympics Southern California Orange County Athlete of the Year Tony Briones; Special Olympics Southern California Board Chairman Tim Redmond; Special Olympics Southern California President and CEO Bill Shumard; Irvine Police Department Commander Mike Hallinan; and Irvine Mayor Steven Choi.

“Special Olympics changed my life and the lives of many of my friends and their families,” said Briones. “It helps us to learn compassion and leadership skills while bringing fun, accomplishment and pride into our lives. The stamp makes us feel important and we thank the Postal Service for extending Special Olympics this honor.”

The Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles Logo
The Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles logo was donated by the Davis Elen advertising agency. Taking center stage is the celebratory figure that represents the joy the athletes feel when they compete. The multi-colored circle around the celebratory figure represents inclusion for all people with intellectual disabilities. The 19 colors of the logo are made up of the analogous colors derived from the flags of the 177 countries competing, with the shape of the color pieces being a nod to the Hollywood klieg lights that are commonly used in the host city of Los Angeles. Click here to view the video of the making of the logo.

About Special Olympics
Screen Shot 2015-02-20 at 9.53.11 AMSpecial Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports, every day around the world. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown to more than 4.4 million athletes in 170 countries. With the support of more than 1.3 million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers 32 Olympic-type sports and more than 81,000 games and competitions throughout the year. Visit Special Olympics at specialolympics.org. Engage with us on: Twitter @specialolympics; fb.com/specialolympics; youtube.com/specialolympicshq; instagram.com/specialolympics and specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com.

The Stamp Design
The stamp features the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles logo, showcasing the colors of flags from participating countries. “The logo’s celebratory figure represents the courage, determination and joy of our athletes,” said President and CEO of the 2015 World Games Patrick McClenahan. “Placing the iconic image inside the circle represents acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.” Art director Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA, designed the stamp for the Postal Service.

The Stamp
The Special Olympics World Games stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Fifty million Special Olympics World Games Forever stamps were produced. Customers may purchase the stamps at usps.com/stamps, the Postal Store, at 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Offices nationwide or visit ebay.com/stamps to shop for a wide variety of postage stamps and collectibles.

Updated April 2nd: From the Postal Bulletin:

Screen Shot 2015-02-20 at 9.53.11 AMOn May 9, 2015, in Irvine, CA, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the Special Olympics World Games First-Class Mail® Forever® stamp, in one design, in a pressure-sensi­tive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 472800).

The stamp will go on sale nationwide May 9, 2015.

This year, the U.S. Postal Service celebrates the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement. The Games will be held in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2. It will be the first time the Special Olympics World Summer Games have been held in the United States since 1999. The stamp features the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles logo, showcasing the colors of flags from participating countries. “The logo’s celebratory figure represents the courage, determination, and joy of our athletes,” says Patrick McClenahan, president and chief executive officer of the 2015 Games. “Placing the iconic image inside the circle represents acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.” The words “Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles 2015” and “Forever/USA” appear on the stamp; its colored background begins as a light orange at the top of the stamp then darkens as it moves toward the bottom. The title of the pane “Special Olympics World Games” appears in two shades of orange on a white background. Art director Greg Breeding 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 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:

Screen Shot 2015-02-20 at 9.53.11 AMSpecial Olympics World Games Stamp
Postmaster
15642 Sand Canyon Avenue
Irvine, CA 92619-9998

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 8, 2015.

There are nine philatelic products for this stamp issue:

  • 472806 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $39.20 (print quantity 500).
  • 472808, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $39.20 (print quantity 1,500).
  • 472810 Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95.
  • 472816 First-Day Cover, $0.93.
  • 472821 Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
  • 472824 Framed Art, $29.95.
  • 472830 Ceremony Program, $6.95.
  • 472831 Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
  • 472832 Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Post­mark, $1.99.

Technical Specifications:

Screen Shot 2015-02-20 at 9.53.11 AMIssue: Special Olympics World Games Stamp
Item Number: 472800
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: May 9, Irvine, CA 92619
Designer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Art Director: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Typographer: Greg Breeding, Charlottesville, VA
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Microprint
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America/SSP
Printed at: Browns Summit, NC
Press Type: Alprinta 74
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 50 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor Tagged Paper, Block
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Banknote Corporation of America, Browns Summit SC
Colors: Pantone 1495, Pantone 7579, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 6.38 x 9.13 in./231.78 x 161.93 mm
Press Sheets Size (w x h): 26.25 x 9.13 in./ 666.75 x 231.78 mm
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “S” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings: Front: Plate numbers in two corners of pane
Back: © 2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate position diagram • Barcode (472800) in upper right and lower left corners of pane • Promotional text • Special Olympics Information

Updated March 24th: From the USPS: “Special Olympics May 9 at 9 a.m. PT, Irvine High School, Irvine, CA as part of the Special Olympics Regional games.”

Updated February 20th: The date is still undetermined, but it is likely for April. From the USPS:

Screen Shot 2015-02-20 at 9.53.11 AMThis year, the U.S. Postal Service® celebrates the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, the flagship event of the Special Olympics movement. This is the first time the Special Olympic World Games will be held in the US in 10 years.

The Games will be held in Los Angeles from July 25 to August 2.

More than half a million spectators will enjoy nine days of challenging and inspiring international competition as more than 7,000 athletes from 177 countries compete in 25 Olympic-type sports.

The stamp features the 2015 Special Olympics World Games Los Angeles logo, showcasing the colors of flags from participating countries.

“The logo’s celebratory figure represents the courage, determination and joy of our athletes,” says Patrick McClenahan, president and chief executive officer of the 2015 Games.

“Placing the iconic image inside the circle represents acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.”

Artist and Art Director: Greg Breeding

Fitness Stamps, Take 2?

Posted on by

justmove_cannonball1The New York Post is reporting that the U.S. Postal Service hasn’t given up on the idea of youth fitness stamps. It cites the “Let’s Move” stamps that were vetoed by the White House two years ago, because they showed unsafe practices on several of the stamps. One of those was the Cannonball stamp, shown on the left.

The Post, however, reports the stamps are still sitting in a warehouse, and suggests they might somehow be used anyway. I thought they were going to be destroyed, and surely should have been by now. How do you “fix” 3 designs out of 20? Remove them and sell 17-stamp panes of stamps?

The paper quotes USPS spokesman Mark Saunders only as saying the USPS is still working on issuing fitness-related stamps. The quote doesn’t say these stamps.

Hotchner: Be A Show-Off

Posted on by

Showcasing Our Hobby. Why? How?
by John M. Hotchner

hotchnerHave you noticed if your local library, post office, hospital, or church has an enclosed bulletin board where you could put up a small display of stamps? Those of course are not the only places that a showing of postage stamps could be displayed. How about the local Audubon Society, bar association, garden club, music club, veterans association, or any of dozens of other groups with a substantive focus that would match up with stamp designs from the U.S. — or indeed from around the world.

Those who have the collector gene and are into stamps often have interests beyond stamps, and the opportunity to cross the divide and present stamp collecting to another collecting or special interest group is one that can spark interest and add new adherents to our hobby. And if that is done by a display, it eliminates the sometimes bothersome problem of having to stand in front of a group to give a talk.

While actions that add one collector at a time to the body of stamp collectors may seem like spitting into the wind, that is the only way the hobby has ever grown, and will ever grow. And the one person you “recruit” may turn into a recruiter him — or her — self, or a club officer, philatelic writer, or serious researcher who makes great contributions to the hobby. If each of us over the course of our collecting life brought in just two people — one to replace ourselves, and one to add to our numbers, we would see tremendous growth in the hobby.

There are of course many ways to do that, but one that I think gets too little mention is looking to adults who are already collectors or who have a specific interest that stamps can help to feed. And the objective is to reach them where they are — in clubs devoted to their interest, through their professional associations, and relating to their life experiences. In a location like a library, consult with library staff to see what sort of literature they are intending to feature; perhaps related to a coming holiday, a type of literature, or current events in the community.

No one can force feed potential stamp collectors. Committing to the hobby is a voluntary act. And it starts with hooking the interest of a potential recruit. In other words, we need to put the hobby in front of non-collectors, and if one of 100 who view the presentation decide to look into stamp collecting, we have been successful. If a bunch of the remaining 99 file away the experience as a positive one, that also is success. Even if they themselves do not start a collection, perhaps they will support a friend or relative who announces that they are getting involved in the hobby.

In that way, putting up a display of stamps in a non-philatelic venue is a bit like throwing a pebble into the water: You just never know where the ripples will go, or who might be affected downstream.

So, what to show, and how to show it? The obvious answer is stamps that relate to the venue. But that isn’t the only answer. Keeping in mind that the audience may have handled thousands of stamps while mailing letters, but is essentially illiterate about the fine points of the hobby, the emphasis should be on design content and visual appeal; not on different perforation methods, covers and odd usages, or watermarks. Stamps within the reach of viewers should be featured; and that would mean inexpensive U.S. stamps are the best vehicle to get across the point.

This is not to say that the ‘Wow! Factor’ should be ignored. If you have a beautifully cacheted first day cover, an attractive foreign stamp that relates, or something with a design error, a highly visual error like an invert, or a variety such as a bad misperf, it does not hurt to show the variety of the hobby in that manner, but it should constitute no more than about 10% of the display — unless of course you are specifically aiming to show an American on foreign stamps, the world of EFOs, or another subject that demands broader coverage.

Mint stamps are best, but lightly canceled used stamps are ok. Condition should be as good as it can be, without obvious faults. Unless the display box can be closed and locked, expensive stamps should not be used.

Now, on to the How. Small doses of the hobby are best with an audience that is unschooled and/or in a hurry. In philatelic exhibitions aimed at collectors, we normally show multiple frames composed of 16 letter-sized pages. I think that less is better for those not yet collectors. Eight to 12 pages (or six to nine) would be ideal depending upon the area available in the display box you are filling.

The pages themselves can be from a printed album, or specially made up for the specific display. If the former, one page should be reserved as an introduction so that you can convey to viewers your enthusiasm for the subject, your enthusiasm for the hobby, and contact points that they can use to get further information. This can be your local stamp club, the American Philatelic Society, a specialty society, or if you are willing, your own email or postal addresses.

I like the idea of showing album pages as they show that one can get into collecting with preprinted pages, rather than having to make one’s own. Of course collectors often “graduate” from album pages and find that it is actually fun to make your own. But the very thought could be overwhelming to a beginner.

How to put the pages up on the display box? It is easy if the box lies flat. But if it is up on the wall, then double-sided tape can work well. Another alternative is putting your display pages on larger construction paper using photographic corners, and then tacking the large sheets into the box can work equally well. You want to avoid putting tack holes into pages you have worked hard to make attractive.

Pay a bit of attention to the size of your type, and the density of your write-up. Dense paragraphs of small type are a put-off. Much better is limiting the write-up to one or two sentences of fairly large type. Labels giving essential information (year of issue, country, design content, if not obvious) are even better.

Once you have done a couple of these displays, you will have developed a technique, but for the first efforts, try them out on your family or a friend who is not a collector, so you can get feedback and guidance on how your display will be received, and whether you need to use a different approach.

Should you wish to comment on this column, or have questions or ideas you would like to have explored in a future column, please write to John Hotchner, VSC Contributor, P.O. Box 1125, Falls Church, VA 22041-0125, or email, putting “VSC” in the subject line.

Or comment right here.

Americover 2015: August 14-16 Columbus, Ohio

Posted on by

[press release]
AFDCS SETS AMERICOVER 2015 FOR COLUMBUS, OHIO
Show Hotel Rates Once Again Below $100

afdcs bestThe American First Day Cover Society, the world’s biggest non-profit organization of FDC collectors, has chosen Columbus, Ohio, for its 2015 show and convention. Americover 2015 will celebrate the society’s 60th anniversary.

The official hotel rates for every Americover have been below $100, and that will be true for the 2015 edition.

Americover 2015 will be held at the DoubleTree Columbus-Worthington August 14-16, 2015. That is the weekend before the American Philatelic Society’s StampShow in Grand Rapids, Mich. — about a five-hour drive for collectors and dealers who wish to attend both.

“Americover 2014 in New Jersey was a huge success and we plan to continue the fun and excitement in Columbus,” Show Chairman Peter Martin said. “If you collect first day covers, this is the place to be, because virtually all the major FDC dealers, exhibitors and collectors will be here.”

There will be a special room rate of $99, including Internet, for Americover 2015, good from Wednesday through Sunday nights. Parking is free. Although Americovers run for three days, there will be a special tour on the preceding Thursday and a post-show dinner event Sunday evening.

This is the AFDCS’ first time back in Ohio’s capital since its convention in 1992, but it is a strong area for first day cover collecting and the AFDCS has done well at the APS shows in Columbus.

All Americovers are World Series of Philately shows dedicated to first day covers and the fun of stamp collecting. Locations move around the country, often at a venue within a reasonable driving distance of APS StampShow.

For more information on any of the Americover shows, visit the AFDCS website at www.afdcs.org, send e-mail to showinfo@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at PO Box 16277, Tucson, AZ 85732-6277.

No Rate Hike For Canada In 2015

Posted on by

can_retailquebeccity2aFrom the middle of a long press release on third quarter results is this announcement:

    “Following a one-time strategic pricing adjustment that took effect in 2014, regulated stamp prices will remain unchanged in 2015.
    “Buyers of Permanent stamps (“P” stamps), valid on Standard Lettermail (0-30 g) items mailed within Canada, will continue to pay $0.85 per stamp when purchased in booklets, coils or panes and $1 per stamp when they are purchased one at a time.”

Canada Post: $13M Profit In 3Q

Posted on by

[press release]
Canada Post segment reports $13-million profit before tax in third quarter
Significant erosion of mail volumes continues, implementation of Five-point Action Plan well under way

can_mailboxquebecOTTAWA, Nov. 26, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ – The Canada Post segment reported a profit before tax of $13 million in the third quarter compared to a loss before tax of $129 million in the same quarter of 2013. As they were in the second quarter, the results are mostly due to the impact of lower employee benefit costs, continued growth in the Parcels business and new pricing measures for Transaction Mail contained in the Corporation’s Five-point Action Plan. For the first three quarters of 2014, the Canada Post segment reported a profit before tax of $39 million compared to a loss before tax of $165 million for the same period in 2013 and is expected to report a profit for 2014.

Volumes in Transaction Mail, Canada Post’s core business, nevertheless continued to fall as mailers and consumers turn to digital alternatives. Volume erosion picked up speed in the third quarter after being lower than expected in the second quarter. Compared to the same periods in 2013, volumes decreased by 58 million pieces or 6.1 per cent in the third quarter and by 175 million pieces or 5.1 per cent in the first three quarters of 2014.

Employee benefit costs for the Canada Post segment decreased by $48 million for the third quarter of 2014 and by $161 million for the first three quarters of 2014, compared to the same periods in 2013. This is the result of strong pension asset returns in 2013 and an increase in the discount rates used to calculate benefit plan costs in 2014. Employee future benefits, including pension, continue to be highly volatile and unpredictable and remain a significant factor in the Corporation’s operating results.

The Five-point Action Plan, announced in December 2013, is realigning the postal service with Canadians’ changing needs and will return it to financial self-sufficiency. To date, approximately 800,000 households have either been converted from delivery at the door to community mailbox delivery or are in various stages of the conversion process for 2015. In addition, a strong focus on consolidating processing operations in light of the declines in mail volumes is delivering savings.

The Canada Post Group of Companies1 reported a profit before tax of $35 million in the third quarter, compared to a loss before tax of $109 million for the third quarter of 2013. For the first three quarters of 2014, the Group of Companies’ profit before tax was $84 million, compared to a loss before tax of $134 million for the same period in 2013.

Parcels results
can_truckdeliveryperson2Parcels revenue for the Canada Post segment grew by 8.2 per cent to $337 million in the third quarter, while volumes increased by close to three million pieces or 8.1 per cent, compared to the same period last year. Over the first three quarters of 2014, Parcels revenue for the Canada Post segment grew by 8.9 per cent to more than $1 billion, while volumes increased by four million pieces or 4.2 per cent, compared to the same period in 2013.

Transaction Mail results
Largely as a result of the Lettermail price adjustment put in place in the second quarter, revenue from Transaction Mail, which includes mostly letters, bills and statements, rose by 13.7 per cent to $750 million in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2013. Revenue for the first three quarters rose by 6.5 per cent to approximately $2.4 billion compared to the same period last year.

Direct Marketing results
In the third quarter, Direct Marketing volumes for the Canada Post segment decreased by 65 million pieces or 5.6 per cent and revenue fell by $15 million to $279 million, compared to the same period in the prior year. In the first three quarters of 2014, Direct Marketing revenue fell by $32 million or 3.1 per cent to $874 million, and volumes declined by 99 million pieces or 2.2 per cent, compared to the same period last year.

To access the full report in PDF, visit canadapost.ca/aboutus and select “Quarterly Financial Reports” from the Corporate menu.

Five-point Action Plan update:
Canada Post is making considerable progress in implementing the Five-point Action Plan, which is expected to contribute financial benefits of an estimated $700 million to $900 million a year to the Corporation’s bottom line, once fully implemented.

1. Community mailboxes

can_customersquebec2The Corporation is on track to convert the one third of Canadian addresses that receive mail at their door to community mailbox delivery.

The multi-step conversion process is designed to gather the feedback necessary to develop local solutions for each community.

As of November 25, 2014:
–  Customers at approximately 100,000 addresses have been converted to community mailboxes.
– Customers at approximately 700,000 addresses have been notified and are in various stages of the conversion process for 2015, with more than 200,000 to be notified in the coming weeks for conversion in 2015.
– The process is now under way at various stages in every province.

This five-year initiative is forecasted to save $400 million to $500 million a year once fully implemented, the most significant savings of the plan.

2. Lettermail pricing
Following a one-time strategic pricing adjustment that took effect in 2014, regulated stamp prices will remain unchanged in 2015.

Buyers of Permanent stamps (“P” stamps), valid on Standard Lettermail (0-30 g) items mailed within Canada, will continue to pay $0.85 per stamp when purchased in booklets, coils or panes and $1 per stamp when they are purchased one at a time.

3. Expanding convenience through postal franchises
Canada Post opened 45 new franchise postal outlets across the country in the first three quarters of 2014. Typically, franchise outlets are conveniently located and offer better parking and longer hours than corporately managed post offices.

4. Streamlining operations
Throughout 2014 and in the third quarter, Canada Post has taken several significant steps to translate its investments in automation into streamlined operations, productivity gains and operational savings.
Several mail processing operations have been consolidated to allow much greater use of our high-speed automated sorting machines as Lettermail volumes decline. The consolidations move some volumes from plants in such major urban centres as Ottawa, Hamilton and London to major plants in Montréal and Toronto and some volumes from Saint John to Halifax. Other transfers of work to streamline operations have occurred in more than 10 other smaller locales.

Sequencing refers to automated machines sorting mail to the delivery agent’s line of travel, achieving greater efficiency by reducing manual sorting. This year, Canada Post has restructured 112 depots that receive sequenced mail.

In early September, Canada Post officially opened the state-of-the art Pacific Processing Centre in Richmond, B.C. The high-speed automated sorting equipment for Lettermail, parcels and packets allows us to implement motorized delivery and other measures that have produced significant savings wherever they have been introduced across the network. To support the growth of our Parcels business, Canada Post has also invested in new automated parcel sorting at the processing plant in Montréal to achieve productivity gains while meeting the needs of the fast-growing e-commerce sector.

Remote address coding work has been consolidated from several cities to two locations to improve efficiency. All the work from western Canada now occurs at the Pacific Processing Centre and all the work from eastern Canada is done in Toronto.

5. Addressing the cost of labour
Labour costs for the Canada Post segment fell by $13 million in the third quarter and have fallen by $44 million in the first three quarters of 2014, compared to the same periods last year. This is as a result of Canada Post’s continuing efforts to streamline and modernize its operations, as well as one fewer paid day in the first three quarters.

On November 14, 2014 Canada Post and the Association of Postal Officials of Canada (APOC) announced that they had reached a tentative agreement. Before the tentative agreement can be finalized, it will be subject to a ratification vote by employees represented by APOC.

Background
The operations of the Canada Post Group of Companies are funded by the revenue generated by the sale of its products and services, not taxpayer dollars. Canada Post has a mandate from the Government of Canada to remain financially self-sufficient and to provide a standard of postal service that is affordable and meets the needs of the people of Canada.

1. The Canada Post Group of Companies consists of the core Canada Post segment and its three non-wholly owned principal subsidiaries, Purolator Holdings Ltd., SCI Group Inc. and Innovapost Inc.

New AP Editor: Jay Bigalke.

Posted on by

wfuncer26[Confirmed December 1st by APS. Press release below.]

Sources tell The Virtual Stamp Club that Jay Bigalke will be named the next editor of American Philatelist, the journal of the American Philatelic Society, and the largest-circulation stamp collection publication in North America. Bigalke, 32, is currently Senior Editor, Digital Media at Linn’s Stamp News, which posted an opening for that position in its most recent edition. Bigalke is also a former VSC staff member.

That’s Jay at work at October’s Winter Fun/Global Wreath first day ceremony with his iPad.

APS press release December 1st:

Bigalke New American Philatelist Editor

The American Philatelic Society has hired Jay Bigalke as its new American Philatelist Editor. Bigalke will be responsible for the Society’s 100-page monthly publication, working with a staff of three and an advisory board. The Society editor also is responsible for the Library’s quarterly Philatelic Literature Review and plays an important role in public relations and graphic design.

Bigalke previously worked for Linn’s Stamp News, published by Amos Media Company of Sidney, Ohio. There he served as Senior Editor and was responsible for covering major U.S. stamp stories, managing of its social media platforms, video production, stamp show participation, and serving as editor for multiple columnists.

APS Executive Director Ken Martin expects Bigalke to not only continue the American Philatelist’s long time editorial excellence but also expects that his philatelic and postal service network, digital content experience and attendance at philatelic events will significantly benefit the Society.

Bigalke’s selection has the full support of the American Philatelist Advisory Committee. Committee chair Rod Juell suggests APS members should get ready for exciting editorial leadership.

Bigalke is a 2005 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studied retail and journalism. His professional experience also includes working for Coin World (sister publication to Linn’s). There he developed a web-based publication covering different aspects of the numismatic field. He also worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a casual city mail carrier.

Bigalke’s spark for collecting stamps started in October 1991. He grew up in a small town of less than 100 people in Wisconsin where he visited the post office daily. His great-grandmother and the postmaster in the town helped encourage the interest in stamps. He became an APS member in 2001 about the time he began designing and selling cachets.

His philatelic interests include modern U.S. stamps, ceremony programs, first-day covers, and other related ephemera. Other collections include stamps of Japan and British Commonwealth stamps from 1937-1940 showing King George VI. He has personally attended 217 first-day-of-issue ceremonies in 47 states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Bigalke was the inaugural recipient of the American Philatelic Society’s Outstanding Young Adult Philatelist award in 2008, inducted in April 2011 to the Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Clubs Hall of Fame, and in 2013 was the Most Popular Champion of Champions exhibitor winner with his exhibit on the 2009 United States Simpsons stamp issue.

Current editor Barb Boal previously announced her retirement effective December 31 after 14 years as editor and more than 30 years of service to the American Philatelic Society. Bigalke’s employment with the APS begins December 1 allowing for a short transition.

The American Philatelist Society is the nation’s largest organization for stamp collectors serving collectors since 1886 with a variety of services including the monthly journal. Additional information about the APS and stamp collecting is available on their website at stamps.org, by phone call to 814-933-3803 or by mail to 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, PA 16823.

New York 2016 – World Stamp Show (U.S. 2015)

Posted on by

Updated August 1st: The first day postmarks: wss_dcp_vscThe DCP measures 2.99″x1.07″. wss_bw_vsc The B&W cancel measures 2.07″x1.46″.

Updated July 23rd from the Postal Bulletin:
s_wse2016On August 20, 2015, in Grand Rapids, MI, the U.S. Postal Service® will issue the World Stamp Show–NY 2016, First Class Mail® stamp (Forever® priced at 49 cents), in two designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 589900).

The stamps will go on sale nationwide August 20, 2015.

With these elegant stamps reminiscent of classic engraved 19th-century stamps and banknotes, the U.S. Postal Service® announces the coming World Stamp Show-NY 2016 and invites philatelists and amateur stamp enthusiasts alike to attend. The show will be held May 28 to June 4, 2016, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. World Stamp Show-NY 2016 continues a 100-year tradition of once-a-decade international philatelic exhibitions held in the United States. Twenty stamps feature intricate patterns of curved, straight, and wavy lines, and are evenly divided in color: ten blue and ten red stamps. The circle in the center of the stamp design displays a five-pointed star. Text surrounding the circle includes the year of the show, “2016,” and the words “World Stamp Show” and “New York City.\u0022 The header on the pane reads: “JOIN US FOR A WONDERFUL WEEK AT WORLD STAMP SHOW-NY 2016.” Verso text provides details about the show. Graphic designer Michael Dyer worked with art director Antonio Alcalá to create the stamp art.

How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
s_wse2016Customers 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:

World Stamp Show Stamps
Manager
PO Box 999818
Grand Rapids, MI 49599-9818

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 October 19, 2015.

There are eight philatelic products for this stamp issue:

  • 589906, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 1,000).
  • 589908, Press Sheet without Die-cut, $58.80 (print quantity 1,500).
  • 589910 Keepsake, $13.95.
  • 589916 First-Day Cover, set of 2, $1.86.
  • 589921 Digital Color Postmark, set of 2, $3.28.
  • 589930 Ceremony Program (random), $6.95.
  • 589931 Stamp Deck Card, $.95.
  • 589932 Stamp Deck Card/Digital Color Postmark (random), $1.99.

Technical Specifications:

s_wse2016Issue: World Stamp Show–NY 2016 Stamps
Item Number: 589900
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever
Format: Pane of 20 (2 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: Grand Rapids, MI, 49599
Designer: Michael Dyer, Brooklyn NY
Art Director: Antonio Acalá, Alexandria VA
Typographer: Michael Dyer, Brooklyn NY
Artist: Michael Dyer, Brooklyn NY
Engraver: N/A
Modeler: Joseph Sheeran
Manufacturing Process: Offset
Printer: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Printed at: Williamsville, NY
Press Type: Muller A76
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 12 million stamps
Paper Type: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive adhesive
Processed at: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. (APU)
Colors: PMS 647 C Blue, PMS 7626 C Red
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.42 in./21.34 x 36.07 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.98 x 1.56 in./24.89 x 39.62 mm
Full Pane Size (w x h): 5.92 x 7.50 in./150.37 x 190.50 mm
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 11.84 x 22.75 in./300.76 x 577.85 mm
Plate Size: 240 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: “P” followed by two (2) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Plate number in bottom corners
Back: ©2015 USPS • USPS logo • Plate block • Two Barcodes (589900) • Promotional text • Verso-text

Low-resolution versions of the first-day postmarks:wssdcpwssbw
Updated April 25th: Better versions of the design, from the USPS: s_wse2016wse2016pane_webUpdated April 20th: Here is the design: s_wse2016nyUpdated April 22nd: Two photos from the unveiling, courtesy VSC member Mark Gereb: expostamps1left to right, ASDA President Mark Reasoner; NY 2016 President Wade Saadi; possibly Wanda Santos, Marketing Manager, USPS NY District; and New York 2016 Vice President Steven Rod.

And another closeup of the stamps: expostamps2From the earlier briefing: It probably will be issued at APS StampShow in August. That would make it likely for August 20 or 21 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The USPS has not yet begun to design this stamp, so no word on what might be shown. “We haven’t even started development of that,” said Tackett.

“It will be designed with the collector in mind,” said Stamp Development Specialist Bill Gicker during the web conference with philatelic reporters November 4th. “We do want it to be special.”