The American Bat Stamps

The American Bat is often feared and misunderstood. People fear that they are blood seeking frightening creatures, yet they are not. There are currently 45 bat species in North America and 950 bat species worldwide. Many species are on the endangered list.

Each October, during National Stamp Collecting month, the US Postal service issues a commemorative stamp or stamps that will appeal to young people. In 2002, the American Bat was chosen to help highlight and educate everyone on the benefits of the American Bat. The stamp ceremony was appropriately held in Austin, Texas at the bat observation area which is located at the Congress Avenue Bridge. This bridge houses the largest urban bat colony in the world. Every evening, millions of bats take flight, gobbling up between 10,000 to 30,000 pounds of insects.

This stamp pane consists of four different stamp designs featuring photographs of bats whose ranges include the continental United States.

I personally find bats graceful as they fly about in the evening hours. I am thankful for their skill in eating the real blood suckers….mosquitoes. Besides, they are kind of cute too!

If you would like more information on purchasing these adorable stamps, click here.

The Japanese Peace Bell Stamp

The Japanese Peace Bell was created 1952. The bell was created as a way to remind people around the world of the pure value of worldwide peace. In 1954, it was given as a gift to the United Nations, from the Japanese people.

Interestingly enough, the bell was cast from coins that were donated by the delegates of 60 nations who participated in the Thirteenth General Conference of the United Nation Associations that was held in Paris, France in 1951, as well as coins and metals donated from individuals. This truly is a symbol of peace from many lands.

The Japanese Peace Bell of the United Nations is located in New York City at the UN Headquarters. It is housed in a Japanese cypress wooden structure. The base stone of the structure was donated by Israel as a symbol of their commitment to world peace. In inscription on the bell says “Long Live Absolute World Peace”. The bell is traditionally run only two times per year. It will toll on the first day of Spring and on every opening day of the United Nations General Assembly’s yearly session, which is in September.

A stamp series was issued in 1970 to commemorate the Japanese Peace Bell. Click here to purchase sets of 3 or 6, or the Souvenir Card of the Japanese Peace Bell stamp that was issued by the United Nations.

A Guide To US Design Numbers, 1847 - 1947

New stamp collectors may find that deciphering the differences between nearly identical and complicated United States stamps is a difficult challenge. The Professional Stamp Experts (PSE) has risen to the challenge to help teach novice collectors about stamp collecting. They have created a simplified system for building a basic collection of US postage stamps by major design type. Free copies of the catalogue are available to stamp clubs, dealers and collectors. Even advanced stamp collectors will find this an interesting tool to use.

According to PSE’s President, Michael Sherman, “It is hoped this fresh approach to U.S. philately will open the door for thousands of new collectors to enjoy this fascinating and time-honored hobby.”

The new book entitled “A Guide to US Design Numbers (USD) was released in June of 2008. The book focuses on 435 regular issue US postage stamps that were issued between 1847 and 1947. All stamps were intended for use on letters or parcels.

The 56 page booklet is printed in full color with photos of the stamps. It has a cross listing of USD numbers, and with permission granted from Scott Publishing Company, it has the corresponding numbers from the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue. The catalogue shows major designs, denominations and the most commonly encountered colors of the US stamps that were issued in that time frame.

For more information on obtaining your free copy of this interesting catalogue, contact the Professional Stamp Experts at (949) 567-1346 for more information.

Vintage Black Cinema Stamps

On July 16th, the United States Postal Service released stamps commemorating vintage black cinema. These stamps highlight the African-American cultural experience that was represented in early films.

Each 42 cent first class postage stamp depicts a movie poster from days gone by. There are 5 stamps in the set. The souvenir sheet includes 20 stamps in four rows with each type of stamp represented. Each stamp features an actual copy of the advertising poster for the movies they represent. Each souvenir sheet also includes selvage text.

The movies represented are The Sport of the Gods, Black and Tan, Caldonia, Princess Tam-Tam, and Hallelujah.

The Sport of the Gods was a silent film released in 1921. It is a story of a, innocent man who serves a prison sentence for a crime that was committed by his friend. Black and Tan was released in 1929 and featured Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra. The film was 19 minutes long and featured the 3 songs performed by Ellington and the orchestra.

Caldonia was an 18 minute short film that featured bandleader, saxophonist and singer Louis Jordan. There are 4 songs performed by Jordan and his band mates, who was a legend of the time. Princess Tam-Tam is a rare film that features Josephine Baker singing and dancing. Baker starred as a simple African woman presented to Paris society as royalty. The film was released in France in 1935. Hallelujah was one of the first films that featured an all black cast. It was released by MGM in 1929.

Each of these movies pays homage to African American culture that should not be forgotten.

John Lennon's Stamp Collection

John Lennon was a stamp collector for only a few short years. His collection that was bought from an auction in 2005 is still a point of interest by stamp collectors. Mostly it is his subsequent fame that has brought the collection the most value. The National Postal Museum purchased the collection at an auction in 2005 for $53,000. There are 565 stamps in the entire collection.

When John Lennon was in grade school (in the 1950’s), his teenage cousin introduced him to the fun of stamp collecting. He gave John a hardcover stamp album so that he could collect stamps on his own. Many of the stamps that Lennon collected came from children’s families who lived out of the country, who also attended boarding school with him. Lennon’s stamps are displayed in an alcove of the National Postal Museum in Washington, DC. The album is opened to
the flyleaf, where young John wrote his name and address. It is not surprising that Lennon added his own touches to the stamps in his collection. Many stamps have mustaches and whiskers in blue ink on the images of King George VI and Queen Victoria.

To view the album, visit the National Postal Museum which is next to Union Station in Washington, DC or click here for an online viewing of the album.

Free Stamps For Beginners - Part II Of II

In continuation to the post on Wednesday.

For children under the age of 17, the International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collectors will provide a free stamp packet. They also provide free stamps to schools, clubs and other groups of children who might be interested in stamp collecting. Groups will need to send some information about the children involved. Individual children can send a self addressed stamped envelope to receive their free stamps. Email poly76ce@gmail.com for more information.

Blank stamp album pages can be downloaded for free. The International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collector’s offers a selection of blank album pages that are easily customized for your every need. Email: ExecutiveDirector@iswsc.org for more information. Kids can download themed album pages that feature planes, trains, space ships and animals from the American Stamp Dealers Association. Call (516) 759-7000 for more information.

Be sure to never glue, paste or tape your stamps onto your album pages. New stamp collectors are able to obtain a new package of stamp mounts for free. Just fill out an online form from Washington Press and you are all set. Call (877) 966-0001 for more information.

The Mystic Stamp Company will send you a free printed copy of their United States Stamp Catalog. There are 128 pages of useful information, tips and pictures in the catalog for you to compare your stamps with. The catalogs are sent free to your home address, but you will need to fill out an online form. Call (866) 660-7147 for more information.

Free Stamps For Beginners - Part I Of II

Are you just starting out your stamp collection? Don’t let the cost of collecting stamps scare you away from the fun of collecting stamps. Beginners are lucky to have several avenues of receiving new stamps for free!

Of course you can always begin your stamp collection by collecting those that come in the mail. Removing stamps from the envelope is simple. Just cut around the stamp on the envelope and soak them in a bowl of warm water. The stamps will then fall off of the paper backing. Dip in cool water and dry them on layers of paper towels or put them in a stamp drying book. Many local schools or businesses are willing to provide stamps to you if you just ask.

Arpin Philately offers beginner collectors a choice of four different free stamp packets. Choices are either, 20 US stamps, 50 Canadian stamps, 50 Aviation stamps or 100 stamps from around the world. After the initial “free stamps”, you can also decide on receiving more stamps at a low cost. The program sends you stamps and you decide to keep or return them….much like a DVD or CD club. You pay for only the stamps you keep and mail the rest back to them. You can cancel your membership at anytime. Going this route will give you a choice of stamps on a monthly basis. Click here for more information.

Check back on Friday for the conclusion to this post.

Malaysia's New Stamp Release

Malaysia issued today a new stamp that will honor His Royal Highness Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'-adzam on Monday, July 14, 2008. He has served as Sultan since 1958. A grand celebration called the Golden Jubilee will follow on July 15th. Celebrations and the release of the stamps will commemorate his 50 year reign of the state of Kedah.

Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'-adzam was first elected as Deputy King and then King two times before becoming their Sultan. He is currently the 4th longest reigning head of state worldwide. He holds the title of the twenty-eighth Sultan of Kedah. The title of Sultan is an Islamic title. It is used as a title of certain Muslim rulers who lack dependence of any higher ruler.

The stamps are available in sheets of 22. The stamps come in three different designs. One stamp depicts Kedah as an agricultural state, where the rice paddy is the main source of income, resulting in Kedah being known as the National Rice Bowl. One stamp depicts the old Office of the State Secretary with a water fountain in the background that was built before the 25 year Jubilee. The last one is an illustration of modern-day Alor Star. There are limited edition folders that include first day covers and a set of stamps available.

If you are interested in purchasing these stamps, contact: http://www.pos.com/, or call 03-2275 6569 for more information about these stamps.

Memin Pinguin Stamps Racist Or Not Part II Of II

In continuation to the post on Wednesday.

Interest in the stamps was spurred because of the criticism from the United States government, American Hispanics and African Americans. Sales of the stamps immediately soared. Within days, all of the stamps were sold out in Mexico. They immediately began appearing on Internet auction sites for many times their face value. As a result of the newly sparked interest in Mexico, the original comic books were then reissued.

The Mexican government and citizens alike took great offense to the United States because of the denouncement of these stamps and viewed the criticism as a personal attack on Mexico itself.

Just this week, new Memin Pinguin comic books have appeared at Wal-Mart stores in Houston, Texas. A patron spotted them on the shelf and demanded that they be removed immediately. This one store did, but others have not yet. Only time and public outcry will decide the fate of these comic books. Even though these stamps were released two years ago, the wounds are clearly still raw and controversial.

It’s up to each individual person to decide if these stamps are indeed racist.

Memin Pinguin Stamps Racist Or Not Part I Of II

In June of 2005, the Mexican Postal Service (SEPOMEX) issued a series of five stamps that featured a character named Memin Pinguin. Memin is a fictional character from Mexico that has been popular since 1943.

Once the stamps were released in Mexico, there was quite a bit of controversy, all the way to the United States White House. Many people, especially Americans immediately cried racism because of these stamps. The stamps depict an exaggerated Cuban-Mexican black child cartoon character with features that also resemble a monkey.

The stamps were issued as part of the History of Mexican Comics series. Memin Pinguin has been a popular Mexican comic book character since being created. He is so popular in Mexico that he has been interviewed by many magazine publications. He is also considered one of the most famous members of the Mexican Scout Association. Coinciding with the stamps release date, Memin was included on the Scouts June 1995 magazine cover.

Racism charges stem from the very unflattering manner in which Memin and his mother are drawn. In the comic books, he is often referred to as Negro and is at times kicked by lighter skinned people. This style of drawing has its roots in American minstrel and blackface shows, which would be considered highly offensive in this day and age if
they still existed.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion to this post.

Big Bird Stamp

Who can refuse a famous giant yellow talking bird that stresses kindness? He can roller skate, ice skate, write poetry, dance, sing, and even ride a unicycle. That’s a lot of talent for a would-be six year old! He’s been everywhere, from calendars to clocks, to movies and television programs. Kids and adults just love him.

Big Bird was awarded his own postage stamp as part of the 1970’s Celebrate the Century postage stamp series. When the United States Postal Service held their nationwide contest to honor the greatest symbols in cultural America from each decade; Sesame Street was one of the 30 nominations in the Arts and Entertainment category. Both children and adults voted for their favorite choices nationwide. Sesame Street came in first place in its category and second overall for all of the stamps in the 1970’s series.

Big Bird was chosen to represent Sesame Street because of his friendly face. Big Bird always helps children feel all right about not knowing everything because he himself does not know everything, like any other six year old. Upon the stamps release, he appeared on The Today Show to thank his fans for voting for him and talk about what it feels like to be a winner.

Prince Caspian Stamps

New stamps out of New Zealand are sure to delight the Chronicles of Narnia fans. New Zealand is celebrating it’s place as an amazing filmmaking location for both Chronicle movies to date; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian. The next movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, is set to be filmed in Mexico.

In these stamps, there is a set of four Prince Caspian stamps and covers that depict Peter, Susan, Caspian and Pevensies on the beach.

Those purchasing the Prince Caspian stamp issue will enjoy five first day covers. One cover features the four stamps in the set and the others feature miniature sets that depict Prince Caspian, Queen Susan, High King Peter and the four Pevensie children. Each main character is shown in various Prince Caspian locations that are simply stunning.

The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels that were written for children. The books were written from 1949 to 1954 by C.S. Lewis. They have been translated into 41 languages and over 100 million copies have been sold worldwide. Narnia is a place where animals talk, good battles evil and magic is commonplace.

Stamp Camp Part II Of II

In continuation from the post on Monday.

Camp leaders are always needed to help run the programs for the children. There are leader workshops that are available nationwide. Your only entrance requirements are that you want to work with children and like stamps.

According to the Stamp Camp USA’s website: “Many community, civic, and educational groups work with Stamp Camp USA to promote stamp collecting as a family activity: 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, YWCA, public libraries, home school networks, Foster Grandparents, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Experience Works, AmeriCorps VISTA, Centers for Independent Living, HeadStart, nursing homes, Communities That Care, and the federal prison system.”

Stamp Camp USA has now been relocated to Washington, DC. There have been several camps run in various locations around the country. The next camp available is at Mansfield University in Mansfield, PA. Stamp Camp will run from July 21st thru July 25, 2008. Stamp Camp is offered to children between the ages of 8 and 14 years old. The cost will be $100 per child, which includes all materials.

Also, they are taking donations of stamps, philatelic and general office supplies, craft materials, used award trophies, picture frames, and similar materials. For more information about this program, call (814) 326-0810 or email stampcampusa@intergate.com .