SCOTT #2967 MARILYN MONROE 32 CENT

Early on August 5, 1962, the world was shocked by the loss of a shining star, actress, and entertainer – Marilyn Monroe.  In her short life, she went from an unknown, albeit pretty, face working in a World War II airplane factory, to the world’s most famous blonde bombshell.

Since losing Marilyn, countries around the world have issued postage stamps in her honor.  Each stamp captures a different facet of Marilyn – all the beauty and personality that made her one of the most famous woman of the 20th century.

In 1995, the United States featured Marilyn on the first stamp in the popular Legends of Hollywood Series (#2967) – a fitting place for the legendary Marilyn Monroe.  The design is based on a 1950s painting of her.  Originally, the selvage was supposed to picture the

US #2967

the scene where her dress was blown up by a subway grate, but her estate felt this painting did her justice.

 

MARIHUANA TAX STAMP

These Marihuana Tax stamps were taken directly from the vaults of the Smithsonian National Postal Museum!  They chronicle over 80 years of social evolution from the roaring days of Prohibition, through the Psychedelic Sixties, to today’s marijuana legalization debate.  The stamps weren’t listed in Scott Catalogue until 2006, so many collectors didn’t even know they existed.  Due to stringent government regulations, very few were ever sold…

US #RJM1 Unused 1937 U.S. $1 Marihuana Stamp

US #RJM2 Unused 1937 U.S. $5 Marihuana Stamp

US #RJM3 Unused 1937 U.S. $10 Marihuana Stamp

 

BUGS BUNNY

 

Last year, Bugs Bunny made his second appearance on US postage stamps.  He’s the star of 10 different designs, each one picturing him in a different costume or disguise he’s worn over the years.  These stamps are pieces of nostalgia from the days we spent watching cartoons as kids, then watching them again with our own children and grandchildren.  Bugs Bunny is timeless, and so are these fun stamps.

PHOSPHORESCENT TAGGING

 

On August 1, 1963, the United States Post Office Department issued our first stamp with “phosphorescent tagging” – the 1963 8¢ Airmail.  The tagging was done in an effort to speed up mail sorting and the cancellation process.  

After working with private companies, the US Post Office developed a new way to more quickly sort mail – with luminescence.  By the late 1950s, mail volume around the world was increasing dramatically.  Many countries began to explore new ways to sort and postmark their stamps in a more efficient way.  This is a process in which stamps receive an invisible coating that can only be seen under ultraviolet (UV) light.  When exposed to this light, the stamps would glow.   Tagged US #1342 stamp under ultraviolet light

US #C64c  America’s First Tagged Stamp Booklet Pane of 5 with Zip Code Label US #C64a #C64a Fleetwood FDC with “First Day Use of Luminescent Tagging” Cancel

NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM

Did you know the National Postal Museum (NPM) has been called the “hidden jewel” in the family of Smithsonian museums?   It’s true!  Hidden because it’s off the Mall, on Capitol Hill.  We collectors are so lucky to have this fabulous museum dedicated to stamps and the hobby of stamp collecting.  I never get tired of visiting the NPM.  I’m excited for its reopening after COVID on August 27.    As a collector, please plan a visit to the NPM, or go again if you’ve been.

 

SCOTT #1 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN 5 CENT

When the American Revolution began in 1775, Benjamin Franklin was the obvious choice to take over the country’s mail system.  That’s because he was previously the Colonies’ postmaster general for the Crown.  He was appointed as America’s first-ever postmaster general on July 26, 1775.  (We became the United States in 1776.)

As Postmaster, Franklin was a dynamo – he standardized rates, surveyed mail routes, slashed delivery times between major cities by half, and more.  He even donated his $1,000 salary to relief for wounded Continental soldiers!  Franklin’s work in taking over the

US #3139 1997 Franklin Issue Honors 150 Years of U.S. Postage Stamps Faithful Reproduction of U.S. #1

mail system was rewarded in 1847 when he was pictured on the first official US postage stamp.  He’s been honored on countless stamps over the years – even more than many former presidents…

 

COUNTERFEIT STAMPS

Over the years, there have been countless forgeries, counterfeits, and fakes that have entered the stamp collecting world.  Some people even went to Federal prison for creating them!

Scott Catalogue defines forgeries as “stamps produced to defraud collectors,” while counterfeits are “to defraud stamp-issuing governments.”  Counterfeit stamps are listed in Scott Specialized Catalogue with a (CF--) designation.  

 

SCOTT #1529 SKYLAB 10 CENT

The Skylab and its crew are to thank for many remarkable space discoveries. The crew was able to observe the Sun, test human adaptability to weightlessness, conduct experiments at microgravity, study a broad view of Earth’s surface, and take full-spectrum photos of the Universe outside of atmospheric distortion.  They also studied the laws of nature and the effects of weightlessness on plant and animal development.  

Official Skylab program insignia. Click to enlarge.

The Skylab is an extraordinary chapter in American space exploration.  That’s why it’s been honored on multiple US stamps and covers.

US #1529 1974 U.S. 10¢ Skylab Project Honors 5th Anniversary of Launch US #1529 1974 Skylab First Day Cover Canceled on Skylab’s 5th Anniversary

US #1912-19 1981 U.S. 18¢ Space Achievements Top Right Stamp Features Skylab Project US #1915 1981 U.S. 18¢ Space Achievement FDC With Kennedy Space Center Cancellation

 

2021 YOGI BERRA FOREVER STAMP

 

In honor of Lawrence Peter “Yogi” Berra, the USPS released a new commemorative stamp.  Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamp with original art by Charles Chaisson.  Chaisson first sketched the image with graphite and pastel oil pencils and finished the design digitally, adding highlights and more detail.  Michael Doret created the lettering for “Yogi Berra” in blue script underneath him. 

Beloved by fans across the country, Yogi Berra was one of the best and most celebrated MLB players of his time.  Between his baseball skills and famous “Yogi-isms,” his memory will live on forever.  There’ll never be another player quite like him!

#NW2111

NEW! 2021 Yogi Berra U.S. Stamp

SCOTT 5285-94 SCRATCH-AND-SNIFF

The United States has created lots of neat stamps using new and unusual printing methods in the modern era.  Whether it be including holographic effects, foil accents, plastic instead of paper, and more, the stamps below are just a few examples of special techniques used.  Take a look and see which ones your collection is still missing…

US #5285-94

First U.S. Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps

Although scratch-and-sniff technology dates back to the 1960s, these Frozen Treats stamps were the first US issues to incorporate it.  According to the USPS, “The aroma of the Frozen Treats Forever stamps will remind customers of the sweet scent of summer when mailing and receiving letters of love, friendship, party invitations, and other correspondence.”

 

SCOTT #120 24 CENT

Today’s the day in 1776 when the Second Continental Congress of the United States officially ratified the Declaration of Independence.  The meeting was held in Independence Hall (then the Pennsylvania State House) and led to the printing and distribution of copies to the public. 

Without the Declaration of Independence, the United States may never have existed, and neither would our stamps.  So on this July 4th, don’t forget to pause for a moment during your celebrations and remember the most important reason we still honor this holiday.

US #120

Sought-After 1869 Declaration of Independence Pictorial

 

SCOTT #1 BEN FRANKLIN FVE CENTS

Today is National Postage Stamp Day!    That’s because America’s first postage stamp was issued on July 1, 1847 – 174 years ago today.  As America’s first postage stamp, the 1847 5¢ Franklin is famous throughout the world and in great demand among collectors everywhere. 

Of all the US postage stamps issued over the years, US #1 is one stamp every collector hopes of having.  I dreamed of adding America’s first stamp to my collection for many years.  I’ll never forget the feeling I had when that day finally came and I could call it my own. 

US #1

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