Download this report as an MP3 sound file.


For broadcast on CBS Radio Network stations 
March 17-18, 2001:


Postal Subversion.


The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries.
 
A few years ago, the Postal Service was running ads for some 
of its new stamps, saying they were too good to use on the 
mail. Stamp collectors protested, and the ads were pulled...
but the attitude still remains.


In conversations with postal people involved in developing 
the new stamps, I've heard them refer to some issues as 
"mail use stamps."


First, the question begs: If a stamp isn't intended for use 
to mail letters and packages, is it really a postage stamp? 
Or is it just a sticker?


And second, it's sort of demeaning to these "mail use" or 
definitive stamps: Most of the recent ones are very well 
done...prime examples of the latest in graphic design.


So here's what I do: I try to buy some of the commemoratives 
that the Postal Service doesn't really expect to be seen in the 
mail....like American Illustrators or the Pan American inverts 
reissue.....and I =use= them.


As subversive acts go, it's not much....just my little act of 
protest. Besides, they do mail letters.


And that's stamp collecting this week. 

I'm Lloyd de Vries, CBS News.


----------------------------------------------------------
Go to Previous Report
Go to Next Report 

Go to Report Index
 
Return to Virtual Stamp Club Home Page