Discover Topical Stamp Collecting For Fun and Profit

Digital Philately : Taking the Hobby to New Heights

Digital Philately Dr Darin Cherniwchan YouTube

Digital Philately – Leaving a Legacy for Future Philatelists with Darin Cherniwchan Entertaining Philatelic Programs for Your Enjoyment American Topical Association (ATA) popular Zoom programs are back once again, with great selections. 🎟️ You may register now in the Events section of the ATA website, and join us for an hour of education and entertainment. October 10, 2023 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET In an era where the digital realm dominates our daily lives, the timeless hobby of stamp … Continue reading →

Enchanting Snow Globe Stamps

USPS Unveils a Winter Wonderland in Miniature The United States Postal Service is shaking things up with their latest release – enchanting snow globe-themed stamps. It’s like a Christmas miracle in the palm of your hand! A Universal Love for Snow Globes From toddlers to grandparents, there’s something about snow globes that captures our hearts. These whimsical trinkets, ranging from kitschy souvenirs to sophisticated works of art, all have one thing in common: a mini world encased in glass, where … Continue reading →

Most folks are about as happy as… ~ Abraham Lincoln

‘Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be’. ~ Abraham Lincoln Lincoln’s Life Chronicled on Stamps Set of four stamps commemorate 200th Birthday The stamp featuring Lincoln as president includes an Alexander Gardner photograph of Lincoln, dated Nov. 8, 1863, and depicts Lincoln conferring with generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman toward the end of the Civil War. The depiction is based on “The Peacemakers” (1868), a painting by George P. A. … Continue reading →

Peanuts Comics Honored on USA Postage Stamps

Peanuts Comics Anniversary Book 65 years Schultz

📬 ‘Peanuts’ Commemorated in New USPS Post Stamps The United States Postal Service is celebrating the 100th birthday of artist and “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz with 10 new theme stamps, USPS announced in a press release. Characters from the beloved comic strip and holiday specials include Charlie Brown, Lucy, Franklin, Sally, Pigpen, Linus and more including, of course, Snoopy. Source: Nbcdfw.com A social circle of young children is the only thing that receives all of Peanuts‘ attention; adults … Continue reading →

Banned postage stamps: The Word of God – South Africa

On November 19th, 1987, a 40c postage stamp called ‘The Word of God’ written in Greek and Hebrew was issued by South Africa. The stamps were withdrawn because of religious objections (see story below) , although examples are known to have been sold to the public at some smaller post offices (see footnote after SG 628). A complete sheet of 25 (5×5) with control numbers in upper right corner, unmounted original gum, a very rare INTACT SHEET is being offered … Continue reading →

Royal Mail adding barcodes to stamps

Royal Mail are adding barcodes on postage stamps and announced what stamps can be send in to be swapped for barcoded stamps. ‘The move is part of the Company’s extensive and ongoing modernisation drive and will allow the unique barcodes to facilitate operational efficiencies, enable the introduction of added security features and pave the way for innovative services for customers.’ Source What are barcoded stamps used for? The postal group is moving to barcoded stamps as part of its modernisation … Continue reading →

Distinguished Americans Series Honors Katharine Graham

Distinguished Americans Series Honors Washington Post Publisher Katharine Graham The U.S. Postal Service honors Katharine Graham (1917–2001) as the first female head of a Fortune 500 company and a pivotal figure during turbulent moments in U.S. history with the 17th stamp in the Distinguished Americans series. What: The U.S. Postal Service honors Katharine Graham (1917–2001) as the first female head of a Fortune 500 company and a pivotal figure during turbulent moments in U.S. history with the 17th stamp … Continue reading →

Stamp Market Tips

The Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940 values the Venezuelan stamp at $20 in unused, original gum condition. The stamp is an excellent buy if you find it offered at Scott catalog value.

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Happy Halloween to Stamp Collectors

Happy Spooky Halloween Dear Stamp Collectors! I love all scottish related so it is fun to recall that Halloween actually originates from Scotland. Back then it was called Samhain, a Gaelic and Pagan commemoration of the end of the harvest season. The belief was that the link between the living and those who had passed on was heightened, and that the ghosts of the deceased could mingle with the living. Samhain figured into the adventures of mythological celtic hero Fionn mac … Continue reading →

Stamp Design Error in GB Historic Scotland Scottish Archeology Booklet

GB Historic Scotland Scottish Archeology Stamp Design Error I just published an article on our ‘Everything Scotland‘ blog about the Ring of Brodgar design error. Below is an excerpt: I was tidying up some philatelic files and came across this beautiful booklet of ten (10) postage stamps depicting Scottish archeological sites, issued by Great Britain, for exclusive sale by Historic Scotland. I don’t remember at which property I bought same as there are over 300 properties in the care of … Continue reading →

Three-Cent Stamp Philosophy

Three-Cent Stamp Philosophy in Fargo Film Earlier in the film, we see that Norm’s working on a painting of some mallard ducks as part of a competition to get a picture on a stamp. He doesn’t win the prize he wanted, however: he only gets his painting on the 3-cent stamp. Norm tells Marge at the end of the movie, as they watch TV in bed: “Hautman’s blue-winged teal got the twenty-nine cent. People don’t much use the three-cent.” But … Continue reading →

Collectable Covers & Postcards

classic-us-postal-history-depreciated-currency-covers-uruguay

Collectable covers are a fascinating and important part of philately and postal history. Watch this exploration of different types of traditional and philatelic covers, as well as the interesting histories that they reveal. By the way…if never ever thought about using gloves, it seems like a good idea. 🙂 Enjoy!

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Romania National Grand Lodge 140th Stamps

On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the existence of the National Grand Lodge of Romania, commemorative postage stamps were released to celebrate its establishment. The issue, consisting of two postage stamps and a perforated souvenir sheet, brings to the attention of passionate stamp collectors’ novel aspects of the existence and activity of this fraternal society. Masonry as we know it today, has arrived in Romania at the beginning of 17th century, coming from Istanbul along with the ships … Continue reading →

Coronavirus on Postage Stamps

The medical professionals fighting the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country are featured on a commemorative postage stamp of Iran. We can read on National Iranian Postal Company that “the new stamp salutes the sacrifices of the country’s medical staff as front-line efforts to fight the coronavirus”. NATIONAL HEROES The stamp design includes symbolic images from electron micrographs of the coronavirus with three people from the medical profession wearing face masks and a soldier wearing a gas mask and … Continue reading →

Odd Shaped Postage Stamps for Australia Disaster Relief

Australia Disaster Relief Odd Shaped Postage Stamps

Australia Post has released a special edition Disaster Relief stamp booklet, to raise funds for the Red Cross. Australia Post will donate $2 to the Red Cross from every stamp booklet sold. The Australia Post Disaster Relief stamps are helping support communities affected by disaster. The booklet contains 5 x $1.10 stamps and for every Disaster Relief stamp booklet sold, $2. will be donated. All donations go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. The shape of … Continue reading →

A buyer for the world’s oldest working post office?

oldest-post-office-world-sanquhar-scotland

Will a buyer for the world’s oldest working post office be found before May 2020? The opportunity to be a part of postal history doesn’t come along very often and any new owner would be only the 17th person to run Sanquhar Post Office in over 300 years. ‘Dr Manzoor Alam and his wife Nazra have run the site in Sanquhar, Dumfries and Galloway, since 2015. They are retiring which means there is an opportunity a new owner to become … Continue reading →