Scott #C13-C-15 GRAF ZEPPLIN

Of the many reasons why we collectors treasure the 1930 Graf Zeppelin airmails, one is the history they tell.  US #C13-15 went on sale April 19, 1930.  They were issued to commemorate the Zeppelin’s first round-trip voyage between Europe and the Americas.  These famous stamps are artifacts from that exciting time in postal history. 

The Zeppelin airmails are also really scarce.  They were on sale for only five weeks, and very few sold.  All leftover stamps were destroyed!  And with the passage of almost a century, their

The historic Graf Zeppelin flying over New York City in 1928.  Click to enlarge.

scarceness has only increased.  Serious collectors around the world dream of owning them.

US #C13 1930 65¢ Zeppelin Over Atlantic Ocean

US #C14 1930 $1.30 Zeppelin Between Continents

US #C15 1930 $1.30 Zeppelin Passing Globe

 

INTERESTING BILLY THE KID STORY

 

Postal inspectors fight to ensure the safety, security, and integrity of US mail.  They investigate postal-related crimes like identity theft, postal robberies, burglaries, and more.

Did you know postal inspectors existed back in the old wild west era?  One even ran into the famous outlaw Billy the Kid in 1881 – the same year Billy was killed!  Here’s an excerpt from a dispatch mailed January 11, 1881, to Col. D.B. Parker, chief postal inspector of the Post Office Department:

US #1898A Stagecoach robberies were common in the Wild West

On my recent trip to New Mexico, I stopped at Santa Fe to learn as much as possible in regard to the mail robbers who had recently been arrested and their doings. William Bonney (alias, the Kid) is held for murder.  He is supposed to have killed some 11 men, but that is an exageration; four or five would be quite enough.  He is about 21 or 23 years of age, born in New York City, and a graduate of the streets. I think his principle business has been stealing cattle and raiding in Old Mexico, and there robbing stores and valuables from wealthy ranchmen.  He has probably done something in the line of stage robbing, but refuses to say anything about it, denying all knowledge of the business. Very truly yours, Robt. Cameron, Inspector

Postal I

UKRAINE AT WAR

 

It’s been a year since Russia invaded Ukraine.  Most people thought the smaller nation would be defeated quickly, but here we are a year later and they are still holding strong.  Ukraine has been issuing war-themed postage stamps since the very beginning.  They inspire citizens to fight for their lives, their freedom, and the continued independence of their nation.  The stamps also raise money to fight Russia as well as ridicule Putin and increase global awareness of their struggle against tyranny.

Here are the newest Ukraine War stamps – and the first of 2023!  Take a look below to discover the stamp designs and the stories behind them...

2023 “Banksy At War” Stamps

#MFN437 Mint Single Stamp

SCOTT #3132 JUKE BOX LINERLESS

Since America’s first stamps, new experimental issues have been created to save money, prevent fraud, and more.  These stamps are a lot of fun to collect!

The USPS first tested self-adhesive stamps in 1974.  They became really popular in the 90s, so the USPS looked for ways to produce them more efficiently.  Before 1997, the stamps came on a backing paper, or liner, that they adhered to.  To cut costs, the USPS experimented with linerless self-adhesive coils.  On March 14, 1997, these new stamps were issued to test the potentially money-saving idea.  

US #3132 First U.S. Linerless Coil Stamp 1997 Juke Box

s

US #3132 1997 Juke Box Linerless Coil Pair, Mint

US #3132 1997 Juke Box Plate # Coil of 3, Mint

US #3132 1997 Juke Box Plate # Coil of 5, Mint

 

SCOTT #2948 & 2949 LOVE CHERUB

 

On February 1, 1995, the USPS issued two Love stamps that were both popular and controversial.  They featured child angels taken from Raphael’s massive masterpiece, the Sistine Madonna.  The USPS thought they’d be perfect for new stamps in the Love Series.  However, C. Douglas Lewis, a curator at the National Gallery of Art and vice chairman of the Citizen’s Stamp Advisory Committee, warned that child angels represented death – not love.

US #2948 Sheet Stamp 1995 U.S. Cherub Love Stamp

US #2949

Booklet Stamp 1995 U.S. Cherub Love Stamp

SCOTT #230-45 COLUMBIANS 1 CENT TO $5.00

 

We collectors love commemorative stamps, and it all began with the Columbians.  The set was issued 130 years ago today marking a milestone in American history…

US #230-45

SCOTT #O121 OFFICIAL MAIL 2 CENT

 

Did you know 112 years ago today (December 22, 1910), the US Post Office Department issued the first Postal Savings Official Mail stamp (US #O121)?  These stamps were issued in five denominations to be used when sending mail related to the US Postal Savings System.  

The stamps were only active until 1914, when unused quantities were returned to the post office and destroyed.  That makes unused stamps scarcer than used today!

 

LATVIA FIRST POSTAGE STAMP

 Did you know they were printed the backs of German WWI maps?  That’s right!  But why were these maps used?  It’s unlike any other stamp story I’ve ever heard…

During WWI, Germany and Russia fought tooth-and-nail over Latvia, a region along the shores of the Baltic Sea.  The war nearly crumbled the territory.  But a week after WWI ended, Latvia finally claimed its independence.

To prove its newfound sovereignty to the world, producing postage stamps was a top priority for Latvia.  The war left the country with a severe paper shortage.  High-quality paper was nowhere to be found!  That’s when the printers remembered the unused German maps and decided to use the back of the maps to print the stamps.

#MA1509

SCOTT #Q8 PARCEL POST 20 CENT

 

On December 16, 1912, the United States issued the world’s first stamp picturing an airplane.  It was a 20¢ Parcel Post stamp – #Q8.  Surprised?  If so, you’re not alone.  Many collectors think of the first three US Airmail stamps (#C1-3) as the first to picture airplanes!

In all, 12 Parcel Post stamps were issued to prepay the fourth-class rate.  Their denominations range from 1¢ to $1, featuring mail delivery methods and common ways people made a living.  All 12 stamps were red and used the same border design.

US #Q8

1913 U.S. 20¢ Parcel Post Stamp
World’s 1st Stamp to Picture an Air

SCOTT #740-49 ASSORTED PRICES 1 CENT TO 10 CENT

 

President Franklin Roosevelt personally oversaw the selection of these stamps!  They were issued during the National Parks Year of 1934, advertising the national parks system.  In 1935, the series was issued imperforate as part of the infamous “Farley’s Follies” scandal…

US #740-49 1934 National Parks Collection