Monthly Archives: April 2023

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Canada 2023)

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The announcement from Canada Post in the April 14 issue of Details is just “May: A century-and-a-half milestone.” VSC contributor Danforth Guy speculates this is like to be an issue for the RCMP, one of whose predecessor agencies was founded May 23, 1873. Read more in Wikipedia.

Our “Guy” in Canada was right:

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Stamp marks founding of Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Recognizing 150th anniversary of the historic institution

OTTAWA – Canada Post issued a new stamp today recognizing the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on the 150th anniversary of its establishment in 1873. The stamp design features a member of the RCMP in traditional dress, acknowledging the historic roots of the organization, along with images that represent the RCMP as a modern national police service – including the role of its civilian members and public service employees – from responding to emergencies to investigating cybercrime.

Commemorating 150 years of history
As part of our stamp program, Canada Post has a tradition of paying tribute to significant milestones, events and individuals’ contributions in Canadian history. Founded on May 23, 1873, as the North-West Mounted Police, the RCMP has played a significant role in Canada over the past 150 years.

Originally assembled near Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1874, a mounted unit of 300 men recruited from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with local Métis guides, set out on the “March West.” The purpose of the organization at that time was to administer the laws of Canada in the Northwest Territories after the transfer of jurisdiction from the British Crown. In the following decades, the role and mandate of the organization changed as it gradually took on policing duties in more provinces and territories, along with federal responsibilities.

Today, RCMP employees serve in a wide range of functions that include preventing and investigating crime; enforcing federal, provincial and territorial law; protecting national security and contributing to international intelligence-sharing and peace operations.

“Canada Post’s iconic national stamp program has a tradition of marking historical moments, events and individuals’ [contributions] that have played an important role in Canada’s history. This includes the historic anniversary of the RCMP, which has played a significant role in our country over the past 150 years.”
— Doug Ettinger, President and CEO of Canada Post

“The RCMP is very proud to be honoured with a special stamp for our 150th anniversary. The stamp is a fitting tribute to both the heritage of our organization and to the amazing people who proudly serve the RCMP today and who dedicate their careers to keeping Canada safe.”
— Mike Duheme, RCMP Commissioner

About the stamp
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police 150th Anniversary stamp was designed by Réjean Myette, and the design features a collage of imagery representing the modern RCMP organization. Printed by Lowe-Martin, the issue includes a booklet of six PermanentTM domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover cancelled in Ottawa.

The new stamp and collectible are available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Timbre marquant la fondation de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada
Le timbre souligne le 150e anniversaire de cette organisation historique

OTTAWA – Postes Canada a émis aujourd’hui un nouveau timbre qui rend hommage à la Gendarmerie royale du Canada (GRC) à l’occasion du 150e anniversaire de sa fondation en 1873. Le timbre présente un agent de la GRC en tenue traditionnelle, rappelant les racines historiques de l’organisation. Les images qui l’accompagnent illustrent le rôle que joue aujourd’hui la GRC (y compris ses membres civils et ses fonctionnaires) en tant que police nationale qui intervient en cas d’urgence et enquête sur la cybercriminalité.

Commémoration de 150 ans d’histoire
Le programme de timbres-poste commémoratifs de Postes Canada célèbre depuis longtemps des événements et des personnes qui ont marqué l’histoire de notre pays. Fondée le 23 mai 1873 sous le nom de Police à cheval du Nord-Ouest, la GRC a joué un rôle important au Canada au cours des 150 dernières années.

S’étant rassemblée à l’origine près de Winnipeg, au Manitoba, en 1874, une unité montée de 300 hommes recrutés en Ontario, au Québec, au Nouveau-Brunswick et en Nouvelle-Écosse entame la Marche vers l’Ouest avec des guides métis locaux. L’objectif de l’organisation à l’époque est d’appliquer les lois du Canada dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest après le transfert des compétences de la Couronne britannique. Au cours des décennies qui suivent, le rôle et le mandat de l’organisation changent, car celle-ci assume graduellement des fonctions de police dans un plus grand nombre de provinces et territoires, ainsi que des responsabilités fédérales.

Aujourd’hui, les membres de la GRC remplissent diverses fonctions, notamment la prévention et les enquêtes criminelles, l’application des lois fédérales, provinciales et territoriales, la protection de la sécurité nationale et la contribution aux opérations internationales de partage de renseignements et de maintien de la paix.

« Le programme de timbres-poste commémoratifs de Postes Canada célèbre depuis longtemps des événements et des personnes qui ont marqué l’histoire de notre pays. Cela comprend l’anniversaire historique de la GRC, qui a joué un rôle important dans l’histoire du Canada au cours des 150 dernières années. »
— Doug Ettinger, Président-directeur général de Postes Canada

« La GRC est très fière d’être honorée avec un timbre spécial à l’occasion de son 150e anniversaire. Le timbre est un bel hommage à l’héritage de notre organisation et aux personnes exceptionnelles qui servent fièrement la GRC aujourd’hui et qui consacrent leur carrière à la sécurité du Canada. »
— Mike Duheme, commissaire de la GRC

À propos du timbre
Le timbre du 150e anniversaire de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada a été conçu par Réjean Myette. La vignette comprend un collage d’images représentant la GRC d’aujourd’hui. Imprimée par Lowe-Martin, l’émission comprend un carnet de 6 timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un pli Premier Jour officiel oblitéré à Ottawa.

Le timbre et les articles de collection sont en vente sur postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux partout au pays.

The Legend of Robin Hood (UK 2023)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Royal Mail Celebrates the Legend of Robin Hood with a Set of Special Stamps

  • The 10-stamp set depicts key moments in the famous legend of Robin Hood, from him being outlawed to his marriage to Maid Marian and his death, and including popular characters such as Friar Tuck, the Sheriff and King Richard
  • The powerful illustrations were created exclusively for Royal Mail by British award-winning concept artist Jon McCoy
  • Royal Mail worked with Dr Lesley Coote, Fellow of the University of Hull School of Humanities and established expert on Robin Hood
  • The stamps are on general sale now at www.royalmail.com/robinhood and by telephone on 03457 641 641
  • All 10 stamps in a Presentation Pack are priced at £11.90

Royal Mail is celebrating the story of the legendary and popular English folk outlaw Robin Hood with a set of 10 exclusively illustrated stamps.

The 10-stamp set depicts key moments in the famous legend of Robin Hood, from him being outlawed to his marriage to Maid Marian and his death, and including popular characters such as Friar Tuck, the Sheriff and King Richard

The stamps depict the following events:

  • Robin Hood is declared an outlaw
  • Robin Hood meets Little John
  • Friar Tuck carries Robin Hood
  • Robin Hood robs the rich
  • Robin Hood wins the archery contest
  • Robin Hood captures the Sheriff
  • Robin Hood helps Maid Marian escape
  • Robin Hood and Maid Marian marry
  • King Richard removes his disguise
  • Robin Hood shoots his last arrow

The powerful illustrations were created exclusively for Royal Mail by concept artist Jon McCoy. Award-winning McCoy has worked on feature films such as: The Batman; Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker; Avengers; and Blade Runner 2049.

Jon McCoy said: “It’s been an amazing honour to illustrate for Royal Mail, one of the great English legends, and favourite stories from my childhood. I hope everyone enjoys these stamps as much as I did.”

Royal Mail also worked with Dr Lesley Coote, Fellow of the University of Hull School of Humanities and established expert on Robin Hood, who advised on the content used in the wider product range.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail, said: “These atmospheric illustrations bring to life the timeless stories of the Legend of Robin Hood, his merry men and Maid Marion. With its themes of friendship, loyalty, humanity and love, the enduring legend of Robin Hood has captured the hearts and imagination of people for centuries and will continue to do so.”

The stamps are available now at www.royalmail.com/robinhood and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 10 stamps in the set is priced at £11.90.

The Legend of Robin Hood:
No particular individual can be proved to have been the ‘original’ Robin Hood; the figure may have been based on more than one person, or none. Traditionally, Robin Hood is made an outlaw by the corrupt Sherriff of Nottingham, so that he can confiscate Robin’s earldom of Huntingdon. In some stories, Robin plays into the Sherriff’s hands by protecting poachers in the royal forest of Sherwood Forest and builds a band of loyal outlaws, his ‘merry men’.

Foremost among these is Little John, a powerful man whom Robin invites to join he outlaws when John bests him in a quarterstaff fight. Friar Tuck is a former hermit with a fearsome reputation, known for carrying travellers over a nearby river. When Robin asks to be carried to the far bank, Tuck carries him over but then draws his sword and demands that Robin carry him back. Robin calls his men, and Tuck his dogs, but Robin avoids a damaging fight and asks Tuck to join the outlaws.

In later traditions, ‘Maid’ Marian is a nobleman’s daughter whom Robin helps escape when her father attempts to force her into life as a nun. Instead, Marian joins Robin’s band of outlaws. Marian and Robin fall in love and marry.

Robin and his comrades steal valuables from those who, like the monks from St Mary’s Abbey, hoard wealth they do not need. The outlaws redistribute the riches to those – from all walks of life – who do need them. Mostly, the outlaws rob people travelling along what became known as the Great North Road.

The Sherriff becomes Robin’s sworn enemy; a superb archer, Robin shames the Sherriff by winning the golden arrow in his archery contest. Sometimes the Sherriff is lured into the forest by Robin (or sometimes by Little John), where he is captured, tied up, stripped, and mocked by the outlaws, while in other stories he is killed, either for his bad faith or because he is their enemy.

Eventually, the King, disguised as an abbot, contrives to meet the outlaws in Sherwood Forest. He removes his disguise; the outlaws pledge their loyalty, and he pardons them. Robin goes to serve the King, but he later returns to the forest.

Robin Hood represents the powerless. Corrupt authority steals his power and agency, but he gradually takes them back – and helps others to do the same.

In the end, he is bled to death by his kinswoman the Abbess of Kirklees, but he takes charge again by firing the arrow that will mark his grave.

VSC: Royal Mail is offering an array of philatelic products, including a presentation pack, two postmarks for first day covers (the Wakefield postmark is shown on the right here), unserviced cacheted envelopes, framed stamps, full and half sheets of the Robin Hood Is Declared An Outlaw or Robin Hood Captures The Sheriff first-class stamps (but not for the other 8 stamps), and a set of picture postcards (below). However, we don’t see a minisheet or any platinum stamps this time (which would have been rather ironic considering Robin steals from the rich).

USPS Seeks July 2023 Rate Hikes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The proposed Mailing Services price changes include:

Product
Letters (1 oz.)
Letters (metered 1 oz.)
Domestic Postcards
International Postcards
International Letter (1 oz.)		 Current Prices
63¢
60¢
48¢
$1.45
$1.45		 Proposed Prices
66¢
63¢
51¢
$1.50
$1.50

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

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

Ganz Is New APS President

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Cheryl Ganz is the new president of the American Philatelic Society, the USA’s largest stamp collecting organization. She was elected by the Board of Directors to fill the vacancy created by the resignation by Bob Zeigler. He was “not able to attend this meeting,” said Ganz in the electronic (Zoom) meeting. According to executive director Scott English, Zeigler had an Indiana stamp club meeting and was the “designated driver” for several other members.

“I pledge to give [this office] my all,” she said after her nomination. She added that the APS is in good shape and it was a great time to be leading the organization. She also noted that it is the first time that both the APS and the American Philatelic Research Library have women presidents — Melanie Rogers heads the APRL.

Ganz was the only nominee and the vote was unanimous.

Dr. Ganz is a life member of the APS and chair of its Board of Vice Presidents. Her numerous philatelic honors include the Lichtenstein Medal for Distinguished Service to Philately from the Collectors Club of New York (2016), the APS’ Luff Award for Exceptional Contributions to Philately (2016) and the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists of the Royal Philatelic Society London (2018).

She joined the staff of the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum in 2005 after earning her PhD in History at the University of Illinois Chicago, and from 2007 until her retirement in 2014, she was the NPM’s chief philatelic curator. She is currently its “curator of philately emerita” — a title created to recognize her “significant and lasting contributions” to the museum.

She also currently serves on the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, which reviews stamp design nominations and makes recommendations to the Postmaster General.

Her books include The 1933 Chicago World’s Fair: A Century of Progress and Every Stamp Tells a Story: The National Philatelic Collection, and is a co-author of Zeppelin Hindenburg: An Illustrated History of LZ-129. Her philatelic exhibits include” Delivering Hope: FDR & Stamps of the Great Depression;” “Fire & Ice: Hindenburg and Titanic;” and “Favorite Finds; Pacific Exchange: China & U.S. Mail.”

“One day at a flea market, I acquired an envelope that had been on the Graf Zeppelin, and that was it,” she told UIC Alumni magazine in 2015, when she received the school’s Alumni Achievement Award.

She was married to fellow collector P. Felix Ganz until his death in 1992. She lives in the Chicago area, and has been active in “Chicagoland” philately for many years.

Zeigler [below] himself rose to the APS presidency as the result of a resignation: Mick Zais had to give up the leadership post to become Deputy Secretary of Education in the Trump administration.

“Bob stepped up when we needed leadership,” English told VSC in an email. “He built a strong bond between the APS and APRL Boards to work as a team by being transparent and inclusive and we are better served for it.”

English called Zeigler “a collector’s president, traveling to stamp shows, stamp clubs, and representing the APS all over the country. He volunteered countless hours serving as a judge, expert, speaker, and as President of the APS, all while managing his law firm back home.” Zeigler is listed as an “emeritus partner” on the website of Zeigler, Cohen & Koch. He specialized in medical malpractice defense, products liability, and insurance coverage disputes, as does the firm.

English said Zeigler’s specialty allowed him to give valuable advice to the APS on how to deal with the COVID pandemic.

Stephen Reinhard [right] will leave the Board as Immediate Past President. Reinhard was elected to the APS Board in 2011 as Vice President. In 2013, the APS membership elected Reinhard as President of the APS Board, and he served until 2016. Since 2016, Reinhard has served as the Immediate Past President of the APS Board.

Per the APS Bylaws, Ganz appointed Greg Galetti, the vice president of the APRL, to fill the vice president vacancy created when she became president. The Board also approved a resolution honoring Reinhard for is service to the APS.

The meeting lasted less than an hour.

Updated April 18th:
At the American Philatelic Research Library board of trustees meeting, Galetti resigned as a trustee and vice president of the APRL, reports Foster Miller in The Stamp Collecting Forum.

Jean Wang, a doctor and well-known topical philatelist, was elected to replace him as a trustee. Tom Bieniosek was elected as the new vice president

Scott U.S. Catalogue Update April 2023

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5754 (63¢) Women’s Soccer
a. Imperforate

5755 $10 Floral Geometry

5756 (5¢) Stars and Bars coil stamp

5757 (63¢) Toni Morrison
a. Imperforate

5758 (63¢) Historic Railroad Stations – Point of Rocks Station, Maryland
a. Imperforate
5759 (63¢) Historic Railroad Stations – Main Street Station, Richmond, Virginia
a. Imperforate
5760 (63¢) Historic Railroad Stations – Santa Fe Station, San Bernardino, California
a. Imperforate
5761 (63¢) Historic Railroad Stations – Tamaqua Station, Pennsylvania
a. Imperforate
5762 (63¢) Historic Railroad Stations – Union Terminal, Cincinnati, Ohio
a. Imperforate
b. Vert. strip of 5, #5758-5762
c. Imperforate vert. strip of 5, #5758a-5762a