Major Publications Have New Owner

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Updated Thursday, October 16. There is also a new article on the Linn’s/Scott Stamp website.

Jay Bigalke, David Fritz and others have formed a new company to publish the philatelic publications formerly owned by Amos Media: Linn’s Stamp News, Scott Stamp Monthly and the Scott postage stamp catalogues. The announcement was made Wednesday, October 15, after the close of business and Amos employees were notified.

Amos Media will retain its numismatic publications and the supplies and albums operation.

The new company is called “Scott Stamp LLC” (LLC stands for limited liability corporation, a legal term.) The negotiations took many months. Among the investors is Mystic Stamp Co. president Don Sundman, who called it “a great day for stamp collecting.”

All of the investors are themselves stamp collectors, Bigalke told The Virtual Stamp Club in a telephone interview, and their ages vary widely.

In the story on the Linn’s website, Bigalke [shown left at Great American Stamp Show 2021] and Fritz are described as “passionate collectors dedicated to strengthening and modernizing philately for future generations.”

Bigalke is already well-known in philately, starting with his first day cover cachetmaking while in high school, then to editorial jobs with VSC (albeit unpaid), Linn’s, the American Philatelic Society’s journal The American Philatelist and then back to Linn’s. Fritz, however, is not as well-known, although he is an active member of The Collectors Club and a member of the Royal Philatelic Society.

The new ownership is likely to be apparent with the November 3 issue of Linn’s, which is expected to go online this Saturday, October 18. All the philatelic editorial staff is making the move to the new company. Scott Stamp LLC’s offices will be located in Troy, Ohio.

Readers had noticed the paper was shrinking, both in terms of advertising and editorial content, and Bigalke told The VSC he plans to reverse that trend. “The editorial content is going to increase greatly,” Bigalke said.

Could Linn’s again be available as a printed newspaper? Yes, said Bigalke. “I am studying how to do it and if it makes financial sense to do so.”

When he returned to Linn’s after the APS sojourn, he told Amos Media owner Rick Amos he wanted to run not just the weekly newspaper, but also the Scott publications. “I’m gunning for your job,” he says he told Amos. “I always thought it would be fun to own the stamp side of the business some day.”

“What I want to pump back into philately is excitement,” he added. “We’re going to make heads spin here and I can’t wait.”

AFDCS Doubles Boston 2026 Donation

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
AFDCS Doubles Boston 2026 Donation

The American First Day Cover Society has made an additional $5,000 contribution to Boston 2026, bringing their total donation to date to $10,000, raising them to “Boston 2026 Early Bird” status.

With over 1,100 members, the AFDCS is the third-largest philatelic organization in the United States and the largest catering to first day collectors around the world. The organization is a co-sponsor of the Great American Stamp Show along with the American Philatelic Society and American Topical Association, where it hosts its annual Americover exhibition and convention.

Their latest gift was approved by the AFDCS Board during the GASS show in August and sent to Boston 2026 officials shortly thereafter by Executive Secretary Debra Gibson, commenting that many of their members will be attending the event and are looking forward to all that the exhibition and Boston area have to offer.

“We plan a strong presence at Boston 2026, with meetings, seminars and a booth,” said AFDCS president Lloyd A. de Vries. “With as many as half a dozen U.S. issues being released at Boston 2026, those eight days will be an exciting time for first day cover collectors.”

The AFDCS has many active chapters. Some are regional affiliates, like the Rochester Philatelic Association, while others are specialist groups, including the National Duck Stamp Collectors Society and Maximum Card Study Unit.

While FDC collecting and exhibiting has a strong following in North America, the international philatelic community is still discovering the enjoyment of this facet of the hobby. First day cover exhibiting is being featured at Boston 2026 as a Fédération Internationale de Philatélie experimental class. This exposure can further grow interest in first day covers around the world.

Annual membership in the American First Day Cover Society is $35 for collectors in the US and $100 for non-US residents, who may instead opt for online delivery of the organization’s bimonthly journal “First Days” for $24 instead. See details on their web site, afdcs.org, check out their Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/afdcs, and view their YouTube Channel, youtube.com/@afdcsamericanfirstdaycover367.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

Chicago Club Donates $5K to Boston 2026

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Collectors Club of Chicago Named Boston 2026 Sponsor

The Collectors Club of Chicago has donated $5,000 to be named the Boston 2026 World Expo Philatelic Literature Library Sponsor.

Few hobbies can claim the wealth of abundant resources that philately has. The ever-growing number of books, periodicals, catalogs, articles, web sites, applications, videos and other reference material continue to fill home bookshelves, libraries and computer hard drives around the world in every possible language.

Boston 2026 and the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) recognize the importance of these works in the scholarly pursuit of knowledge through the exhibition’s judged literature competition. All entries will be made available for viewing by show-goers in a special reading room set aside to showcase the breadth of material available to philatelists.

It is fitting that the Collectors Club of Chicago has agreed to sponsor the literature library, as their very charter has as its primary objectives the documentation, preservation, advancement and promotion of philately through education, study, research and services. This most recent gift added to their prior contribution boosts the organization to “Boston 2026 Directors” donor level status.

Collectors Club of Chicago has a long history of publishing original philatelic literature that has earned numerous awards globally. The club has been an early advocate for on-demand publishing, which is a recent expansion for philatelic literature.

Boston 2026 World Expo takes place May 23-30, 2026, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. Full show details may be found at Boston2026.org and on Twitter and Facebook. Sign up to be added to the Boston 2026 email list and receive updates when available.

Astrophilately Talk at U.S. Museum

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
David S. Ball Will Speak on “Astrophilately: Intersection of Space and Postal History”

The Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum will host the 22nd Maynard Sundman Lecture Thursday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m. ET at the museum and also online on Zoom. Admission is free, but registration is required.

David Ball, astrophilatelist and NASA Solar System Ambassador, will discuss how personal stories, philately and rockets intertwine. For nearly 100 years, human ambitions to reach and explore space have been paired with philatelic aspirations. This intersection of space and postal history — astrophilately — uses philatelic material related to space exploration, including covers and their postmarks linking the date and location of key events in aerospace history, to tell stories of humankind’s conquest of the heavens.

About David S. Ball
Ball is a recognized collector, exhibitor and author on aerophilately and astrophilately. His writings have been published in The American Philatelist (published by the American Philatelic Society), The Airpost Journal (published by the American Air Mail Society), The Israel Philatelist (published by the Society of Israel Philatelists), The Astrophile (published by the Space Unit Study Group), The Philatelic Exhibitor (published by the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors) and many others.

His book, American Astrophilately: The First Fifty Years, was nominated in 2010 for the American Astronautical Society’s Eugene M. Emme Astronautical Literature Award, which recognizes the outstanding book that advances public understanding of astronautics. The book received a gold medal in the American Philatelic Society literature competition. With 14 contributors, the book introduces astrophilately and some of its specialties through a collection of essays and images.

Ball uses these philatelic materials in his capacity as a NASA Solar System Ambassador. This NASA program works with motivated volunteers across the nation to communicate the science and excitement of NASA’s space exploration missions and discoveries with their communities. As an ambassador, Ball has hosted events at public libraries, Merrimack College and Framingham State University and its McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning.

Ball serves as U.S. delegate to the Astrophilatelic Section of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) and is a nationally accredited philatelic judge with specializations in aerophilately, astrophilately and Holy Land, polar and postal history.

He is currently president of the American Air Mail Society. He is also active in the American Association of Philatelic Exhibitors, the American Society of Polar Philatelists and the Society of Israel Philatelists, and is a 25-year member of the American Philatelic Society. He is also currently the awards chair and security manager on the organizing committee for the Boston 2026 World Expo.

Ball is a retired Air Force officer and health-care professional and was previously the executive director of the Spellman Museum of Stamps and Postal History in Weston, Massachusetts. He has been fascinated by space exploration since watching the Apollo astronauts walk on the face of the moon a half-century ago.
The public can visit the museum’s website for additional information and registration instructions.

About the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum
The National Postal Museum is devoted to presenting the colorful and engaging history of the nation’s mail service and showcasing one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of stamps and philatelic material in the world. It is located at 2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C., across from Union Station. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). For more information about the Smithsonian, call (202) 633-1000 or visit the museum website.

Monopoly (UK 2025)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Pass Go, Collect Monopoly Stamps:
Royal Mail Celebrates a Timeless Classic

  • Issue Date: 16 October
  • New stamps mark the 90th anniversary of Monopoly, the world’s favourite board game brand
  • A limited-edition postbox Monopoly playing token is also available
  • The stamps and a range of collectible products are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/monopoly and by telephone on 03457 641641

Royal Mail, under license from Hasbro, a leading games, IP and toy company, has unveiled a striking new set of 10 stamps to commemorate the 90th anniversary of one of the nation’s most beloved board games: Monopoly.

The stamps capture iconic moments and locations from the classic UK edition of the game, including:

  • Collect £200 Salary As You Pass Go
  • Old Kent Road
  • Pentonville Road
  • Whitehall
  • Free Parking and Vine Street
  • Park Lane
  • Liverpool Street Station
  • Oxford Street and Regent Street
  • Coventry Street
  • Chance

In addition to the stamps, Royal Mail is launching a limited-edition run of 5,000 Monopoly postbox playing tokens [right, £39.99], available for purchase exclusively via the Royal Mail website. These collectible tokens pay tribute to the familiar red postboxes seen across the UK and offer fans a unique way to celebrate the game’s legacy.

Monopoly first arrived in the UK in the 1930s when John Waddington Limited of Leeds secured the European licence, following its original release in the United States. The British edition, featuring well-known London streets and landmarks, quickly became a cultural icon.

Today, Monopoly is played by over one billion players in 114 countries and has been translated into more than 40 languages, continuing to bring families and friends together around the world.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs & Policy, Royal Mail said: ” Monopoly has been a cherished part of British family life for generations, and we’re proud to celebrate its 90th anniversary with this Special Stamp issue. These designs pay tribute to the game’s enduring legacy and its deep connection to London’s streets and culture. We hope fans of all ages will enjoy this nostalgic journey around the board.”

Marianne James, Senior Vice President, Global Licensed Consumer Products, Hasbro said: “Monopoly has been bringing friends and family together for 90 years, and it’s an honour to mark this milestone alongside Royal Mail. These Special Stamps celebrate not only the game’s incredible legacy, but also its unique ties to the UK. It’s a wonderful way to pay tribute to a brand that continues to spark joy, connection and a little friendly competition for families everywhere.”

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available to pre-order now at www.royalmail.com/monopoly and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 10 stamps is priced at £17.90. The stamps go on general sale from 16 October.

The philatelic products include postcards; framed stamps; first day covers with either of two postmarks, and either addressed or unaddressed (£21.05 or currently US$28.16)

a presentation pack, and coin covers, either with an uncirculated coin as shown here

or with a gold coin for £1,595.00 (currently US$2,133.47). The limited edition postbox marker (shown above) is £39.99 (US$53.49).

Wade Saadi, 1949 – 2025

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Former American Philatelic Society president Wade Saadi has passed away at the age of 76 after a long illness. The announcement was made by the Collectors Club at the start of an online presentation.

He listed himself on Linked In as an ” Independent Nanotechnology Professional” and president of Pencom Systems for more than 52 years. The firm recruited high-technology and scientific professionals with an emphasis on the financial services industry in the New York City area.

Saadi was president of the APS from 2008, when he succeeded Nicholas Carter, who had died in office. He was then elected to two full terms in his own right. He was also president of World Stamp Show-NY 2016, which after it closed donated $700,000 to other philatelic organizations, including its success U.S. “international,” Boston 2026.

“The biggest challenge was whether the show would make money, because yiou have to make commitments six or seven years before [the show],” he told Linn’s Stamp News for its Most Influential Philatelists. “It was all a bit nerve-wracking.”

He also served on the boards of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and the Philatelic Foundation.

An exhibitor and researcher of early U.S. issues and then fancy cancels, Saadi was the recipient of the APS’ Luff Award for Outstanding Service to the Society in 2017, the Collectors Club’s Lichtenstein Award in 2015, and many other honors. His exhibits won many international gold medals.

Despite his illness, he attended Great American Stamp Show this past summer.

Steam Locomotives (UK 2025)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Full Steam Ahead: Royal Mail Celebrates the Legacy of UK Steam Locomotion

  • Issue date: 25 September
  • As Britain marks 200 years of the modern railway, six stamps celebrate British steam locomotives and the development of UK railways
  • A further four stamps, presented in a miniature sheet, mark the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, in 1825
  • The stamps and a range of collectible products are available at www.royalmail.com/steamlocomotives and by telephone on 03457 641641

Royal Mail has released a striking new set of 10 stamps celebrating the rich heritage of British steam locomotives and the pioneering development of the UK’s railway network.
The main set features six iconic locomotives that helped to shape the history of rail travel in Britain:

  • Locomotion No. 1
  • Rocket
  • City of Truro
  • Mallard
  • Duchess of Hamilton
  • Evening Star

In addition, a miniature sheet containing four stamps, marks 200 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR).
The miniature sheet includes:

  • Artwork depicting the opening of the S&DR, in 1825
  • A historic image of Locomotion No. 1 at Darlington, circa 1890
  • A commemorative postcard from the S&DR centenary in 1925
  • A photograph of a replica Locomotion No. 1 from 1975

Royal Mail worked closely with the National Railway Museum and Darlington Council on the stamp issue.

Steam Locomotives:
The steam locomotive was the machine that enabled the Industrial Revolution to advance, moving goods and people around the United Kingdom as never before. Key to its development were Richard Trevithick and the father-and-son team of George and Robert Stephenson. Trevithick was the first to have a steam locomotive pull a train, while George Stephenson designed both locomotives and the routes on which they could run.

The main line of the S&DR, which opened in 1825 using the engine that came to be known as Locomotion, was powered by steam locomotives from the start. Four years later, Robert Stephenson created the prize-winning locomotive Rocket, which proved steam’s worth at the Rainhill Trials for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. Steam locomotives became key to that enterprise’s financial success, prompting the rapid development of powered railways across the country.

With each passing decade, faster, heavier and more powerful locomotives were developed, including City of Truro, which was unofficially timed at 102mph (161km/h) in 1904 (the first official UK record, achieved in 1934, belongs to Flying Scotsman). This trend saw its culmination in very fast express passenger locomotives such as Mallard, as well as powerful heavy-freight engines in use on goods trains through to the 1960s, epitomised by British Railways’ last completed steam locomotive, Evening Star.

David Gold, Director of External Affairs and Policy, Royal Mail, said: “To coincide with the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, Royal Mail is releasing a set of stamps honouring Britain’s enduring legacy of steam locomotion. This stamp issue captures the spirit of an era that transformed travel and trade forever.”

Craig Bentley, Director, National Railway Museum, said: “We are delighted to have collaborated with Royal Mail to develop this special set of stamps with images of these iconic steam locomotives and to share with the nation in this celebration of railway history.

Mike Crawshaw, Head of Heritage and Culture, Darlington Borough Council, said: “We are truly honoured and thrilled with these commemorative stamps that celebrate the importance of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR). They beautifully capture the spirit and significance of the S&DR and Locomotion No.1, and we’re proud to see this moment celebrated in such a meaningful and lasting way.”

The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available www.royalmail.com/steamlocomotives and by telephone on 03457 641 641. A Presentation Pack including all 10 stamps is priced at £17.90. The stamps went general sale from 25 September.

USPS: No January 2026 Rate Hike

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Announces No Stamp Price Changes for January 2026

  • Postmaster General David Steiner confirms no price increase for Market Dominant products in January 2026
  • Delivering For America plan continues progress in controlling costs
  • Postal Service prices remain among the most affordable in the world

WASHINGTON — A recommendation by Postmaster General David Steiner not to raise prices in January 2026 for Market Dominant products, which includes First-Class Mail, was accepted by the governors of the United States Postal Service. The price of a stamp to mail a 1-ounce single-piece First-Class letter will not increase in early 2026.

The Postal Service’s operational strategies are designed to maintain cost efficiency, boost service reliability and overall productivity.
“We continually strive to balance our pricing approach both to meet the revenue needs of the Postal Service and to deliver affordable offerings that reflect market conditions,” Steiner said. “We have therefore decided at this time to forgo a price change for First-Class Mail postage and other Market Dominant services until mid-year 2026.”

The Postal Service continues to work toward delivering on the tenets of our strategic 10-year plan, Delivering for America, and 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.

The Postal Service also remains committed to continued cost-saving measures and keeping products and services affordable. We continue to take a very considered approach to pricing and note that only a handful of countries around the world offer a lower price for a domestic single-piece letter.

USPS Adds Holiday Shipping Service Surcharges

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
U.S. Postal Service Announces Temporary Price Change for 2025 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 2025 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. 7, would affect prices on the following retail and commercial domestic competitive parcels: Priority Mail Express (PME), Priority Mail (PM), USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select. 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. 5 and remain in place until midnight Central on Jan. 18, 2026.

This seasonal adjustment will bring prices for the Postal Service’s retail and commercial 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 Flat Rate

  • $1.45 for Large Flat Rate Boxes.
  • $0.90 for all other Flat Rate Products.

Priority Mail Express Flat Rate

  • $2.00 increase for Flat Rate Envelopes.

[For other rates (not retail, not flat-rate) see the USPS Rate Calculator.}

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

2025 Children’s Stamps: Playing Together (Netherlands 2025)

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[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Jan van Haasteren designs Children’s Stamps 2025 and brings playing together to life

More than 100,000 children from grades 7 and 8 started going door-to-door on September 24.

Renowned cartoonist Jan van Haasteren has designed the 2025 Children’s Stamps. For the first time in years, Van Haasteren has designed them himself, making this stamp sheet extra special. This year’s Children’s Stamp campaign focuses on “Together Against Loneliness,” and the colorful illustration of a sandbox full of playing children powerfully brings the message of playing together and being connected to life. The 2025 Children’s Stamp campaign officially launched September 24.

Cheerful design with hidden jokes
The stamp sheet is designed in the recognizable Van Haasteren style:
colorful, friendly, and accessible, with humor that sometimes veers towards the absurd. The sheet consists of five stamps depicting twelve children playing, reading, and having fun together. Unexpected animals appear among them, from an octopus and a snake to a turtle, a snail, and a dog. As always with Van Haasteren, countless humorous details are hidden. Van Haasteren himself calls it special that his artwork is now featured on stamps: “I’ve been blessed with some of the greatest artists: Dick Bruna, Marten Toonder, Jan Kruis, and Joost Swarte, for example. I’m honored to be included in this list.”

Together against loneliness
The theme of the 2025 Children’s Stamp Campaign is “Together against loneliness.” In the Netherlands, 1 in 10 children feels lonely every day. This means that in every classroom, an average of 2 to 3 children often or always experience loneliness. Kinderpostzegels is committed to helping these children find a safe place, access to sports and play, and the support of a buddy to share their stories with.

Availability
The Kinderpostzegels were sold door-to-door from September 24th to October 1st, 2025, by over one hundred thousand children in grades 7 and 8. Starting October 6th, 2025, the stamps are also available, while supplies last, at Bruna, through the PostNL website, and on the Kinderpostzegels website. They can also be ordered by phone through Collect Club customer service: 088 – 868 99 00. A sheet of five stamps costs €9.80.

Since 1924, PostNL has been issuing children’s stamps to support the Children’s Stamps mission: promoting equal development opportunities for children, both in the Netherlands and internationally. Proceeds from the annual Children’s Stamps campaign help fund projects that strengthen children’s resilience.

Note: PostNL does not sell directly to collectors in North America. Its website refers to a company called Nordfirm, which says it sells Dutch new issues at face value. The Virtual Stamp Club has no connection to this company.

Collectors may also wish to contact the U.S. firm Bombay Stamps, which can also obtain first day covers upon request, with lower shipping fees. The email is sales@bombaystamps.com Again, The Virtual Stamp Club has no connection to this company.