Alzheimer's Social Awareness Postage Stamp

Families who are currently dealing with or have dealt with a family member with Alzheimer’s disease; will attest to the difficult times they encounter on a day to day basis. Dealing with the emotional and financial challenges can cause devastation to even the tightest knit family.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, they predict that 10 million baby boomers will be stricken with the disease. Currently there is no cure and with one out of eight persons developing the disease, there is real concern about the future of our current health care system and their ability to keep up with the needs of patients.

The United States Postal Service would like to help people become more aware of the problems people endure with their unveiling of the Alzheimer’s Social Awareness Postage Stamp. The stamp was released on October 18, 2008. The stamp features a lovely side profile image of a grandmother with a hand resting on her shoulder. The hand represents all of the friends and family members who lend a hand and loving support to people afflicted with Alzheimer’s.

Hopes are high that by raising awareness, funding will be given to help find a cure for this debilitating disease once and for all.

Postage Stamps In Outer Space

No, there is no known post office in outer space, but there have been some postage stamps that have made it there.The crew of the Apollo 15 space mission had a successful mission on all accounts; that is until they returned back to earth. Their reputations were tarnished when it was discovered that one of the astronauts had made a deal to take 398 First Day Covers hidden in his space suit on the flight.

Each astronaut was promised $7000 to sign the covers and to keep mum about the secret mission to the moon. Upon their return home, the First Day covers were distributed to H. Walter Eiermann who then gave them to a stamp dealer in Germany. The covers sold on average for $1500 each.

Realizing their error in their ways, the crew of Apollo 15 did decide to not accept any money for the Covers that they had brought into space. Once Scott heard that the stamp dealer was selling the covers, he asked that they be stopped immediately. NASA eventually got word of the sale of the Covers and confiscated the additional 298 covers from Scott. I wonder where those covers are today. Most likely they are locked in a vault someplace. It would be amazing to own the first postage stamps to travel to outer space.

Each crew member was reprimanded for their lack of good judgment in the “Stamp Affair”….as Congress called it. It makes you wonder what other items have secretly traveled throughout the stars.

Personally, I think that sending postage stamps into space sounds like a great way for NASA to help fund their space programs.

William Tecumseh Sherman Postage Stamp

William Tecumseh Sherman was born in Lancaster, Ohio on February 8, 1820. He grew up living with family friends and began his military career at the age of 16 years old. He was a graduate of the military academy at West Point. He is one of the 30 graduates and 2 distinguished attendees of West Point to ever appear on a postage stamp.

To this day, he is a despised legend in the South. His commitment to “total war” earned him the reputation of a fierce officer and commander. His strategy was always to economically cripple and psychologically intimidate his opponents. He did not hesitate to burn and destroy anything in his fighting path. Even civilians were subjected to his wrath and often met with an untimely demise.

Many historians regard him as a hero of the Civil War. He led the most famous march of 60,000 men from Atlanta to Savannah in 1864. This march soon brought the war to a conclusion.

Historians believe that had Sherman ran for President, he would have been elected. Sherman, however, never had any desire to serve in politics. After he left the military, he was unsuccessful in his career choices of becoming a banker and a lawyer.

Sherman has appeared on seven postage stamps of the United States, Guam, the Philippines and Puerto Rico. These four 8 cent stamps are lilac in color and were issued on March 21, 1893.

To see these and other neat historical stamps, click here.

La Befana Canadian Postage Stamp

There is a stamp in Canada that was issued for Christmas, but reminds me more of Halloween each time I see it. The stamp features “La Befana”, who was a kind hearted witch in Italian folklore.

Legend has it that La Befana was sweeping her floors when the Three Wise Men stopped by her home and asked her if she knew where the Christ child was. She did not know, but she invited the Three Wise men to stay the night with her. The next day she was invited to join them in their search for baby Jesus, but La Befana declined their invitation because she was too busy cleaning. Later she changed her mind and wanted to see the baby. Despite her extensive searching, she unfortunately was not able to find the Wise Men or baby Jesus.

The legend states that she travels around the world, via a broomstick, up and down chimneys on Christmas Eve searching for Baby Jesus. Along the way, she leaves gifts in stockings for the “holy child” in each home she visits. There are several other similar types of stories about La Befana and her Santa Clause like travels and gift giving adventures.

This Canadian postage stamp shows La Befana flying on her broom stick. It is comprised of seven different colors.

Franklin $2 and $5 Postage Stamps

Benjamin Franklin is often regarded as the “Father of the United States Postal Service.” He was a scientist, diplomat, thinker, inventor, author and publisher. Benjamin Franklin was very well known, but never sought to serve in public office. He gained considerable wealth and was able to “retire” at the young age of 42. Retirement for him allowed him to pursue his many interests at his leisure. There have been many stamps issued over time, with different designs and denominations, portraying the image of Benjamin Franklin.

The Benjamin Franklin $5 green black was issued on August 19, 1918. It was issued at the same times as the $2 Franklin stamp. Each stamp was printed in two different colors and with a new stamp design for that time. Both stamps are almost identical and are rectangular shapes that are 7/8 inch wide and 3/4 inch high. Both stamps have a profile picture of Franklin which is printed in black. The only real differences between the two stamps are the denominations and the border colors. No covers are known to have been produced on this issuance date.

These stamps are hard to find because of their age. To purchase the Franklin $5 green black and many other amazing stamps, check out this site.

Halloween Stamps...Or Not

Class movie monsters are about as American as apple pie. Did you know that there have never been any postage stamps issued by the United States Postal Service to celebrate Halloween? You would think that with stamps issued for seemingly everything else, that there would be a Halloween issue as well, but sadly there is not. You can however purchase cute Halloween stamps from several of the online photo printing sites that the Postal Service has approved. There are even stamps with “dark”, gothic themes available for purchase on some of the sites.

On September 30, 1997, the USPS did issue stamps called the Universal Monsters. They were appropriately released at Universal Studios in Hollywood, California. These spooky stamps were certainly fun stamps to collect. The stamps featured several of the movie classic monsters made popular in years long past. There was The Phantom of the Opera, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, and The Wolf Man in the set. These stamps are watercolor paintings that show
amazing skin coloring. The USPS even released t-shirts (among other collectible items) depicting the individual stamps on them. They came in a collectible box and were a huge hit to fans.

To purchase these cool, non-Halloween, but spooky none-the-less, stamps, visit this website. These stamps are hard to find and a great addition to any collection.

Halley's Comet - Gonga/Niuafou'ou

Halley’s Comet is the most well known comet of all periodic comets. It currently is seen about every 75 years from earth. This comet is the only short period comet that is visible to the naked eye. Halley’ Comet made its last visit to our solar system in 1986. Astronomers and lay people alike wait anxiously for its next pass over in the year 2061.

Here are some interesting facts about Halley’s Comet…

The earliest recorded history of the comet began in China in 240 BC. There is speculation by theologians that the comet explains the Star of Bethlehem as depicted in the Bible. In the year 837 the comet soared the closest to the earth’s surface than it ever has before. The comet made the trip to our solar system in 1835, the year of Mark Twain’s birth. He later went on to write about how he came in with the comet and would leave with the comet when it returns again. Halley’s Comet’s next return was in 1910. Mark Twain died the day after its arrival.

Stamps have a fantastic way of telling a story or showing a brief snapshot of history. Tonga/Niuafou'ou produced a fantastic collection of stamps in 1986 that celebrated the return of Halley’s Comet. To purchase these beautiful and rare special issue stamps at a reduced price, check out this website.

1965 Abu Dhabi Falcon Stamps

Postage stamps issued from Abu Dhabi can be an interesting addition to any stamp collection. Their placement in history has a somewhat sorted past.

Abu Dhabi’s postal history had three distinct periods of time. First, Great Britain issued stamps and then Abu Dhabi issued stamps. Currently postage stamps are issued by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which Abu Dhabi is a member of.

Initially, each of the stamps issued for Abu Dhabi were British stamps with an overprint of “Bahrain” printed on the stamps. During the later years of Britain’s control of the postal service, both British and Abu Dhabi stamps were used together. Soon Great Britain stopped issuing their stamps and the short era of independent Abu Dhabi produced stamps began.

Many of the stamps issued by Abu Dhabi featured pictures of the Emir. In 1965, a set of three stamps of the Saker Falcon were produced. The falcon is an important symbol in Arab lands because it is used for hunting. There were only 83 stamps produced from 1964 to 1972 from Abu Dhabi.

Some of these stamps can be found at full price online. You can find these falcon stamps, considerably reduced in price by clicking here.

Choose A Midwife Postage Stamp

National Midwifery Week was celebrated by the American College of Nurse-Midwives this past week with an issuance of a postage stamp that was authorized by the United States Postal Service. This personalized stamp was produced through the online stamp producer, photostamps.com.

The “Choose a Midwife” postage stamp features the logo of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, a stamp with a newborn infant, a baby holding it’s mothers finger and a beautiful picture of a very pregnant female midsection.

Certified Midwives have been dedicated to the health and well being of women and their families in the United States since the early 1920’s, however; women have been attending births in America since the first colonists arrived in North America. The practice of midwifery was established because of the high rate of maternal and infant mortality. Prior to the 1920’s, for every 1000 births, 124 infants passed away. Would-be mothers also experienced similar
statistics.

Mary Breckinridge was a pioneer who established guidelines for nurse-midwifery in the United States. Her work helped many families in isolated areas receive heath services. It was not uncommon for nurses to visit their patients via horseback. Her devotion to keeping women and babies safe can still be felt today amount nurse-midwives and midwives.

Currently there are over 7,000 certified nurse midwives who practice in every State. These dedicated providers deliver 8 percent of the babies born in the US. Nurse midwives have helped tremendously in the reduction of mortality rates and provide well established medical care for people who do not want to experience the traditional ways of pregnancy and child birth.

These lovely stamps can be viewed by clicking here.

Jim Henson And The Muppets Stamps

Jim Henson and his merry band of friends were featured in 1995 with a series of postage stamps issued by the United States Postal Service. I must say that the stamps in this series are one of the sweetest sets ever produced.

The stamps celebrated the 50th anniversary of the television series that showcased Kermit the Frog, who is considered to be the alter ego of Jim Henson. Jim Henson, who was world-renowned for being a director, producer, writer and puppeteer, is also commemorated in the series. The stamps showcase some of the most popular characters of The Muppet Show. There is Kermit the Frog, Sam the Eagle, Statler and Waldorf, Animal, Rowlf the Dog, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy, The Swedish Chef, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, and The Great Gonzo and Camilla the Chicken.

Besides having incredible digitally enhanced photographs of all of the characters, there is one surprise for would be collectors of these stamps. On the back of each stamp sheet there are humorous autographed notes from each of the Muppet characters.

Jim Henson died at the very young age of 54. Even today he is considered to be a creative visionary and entertainer who made a difference in the world.

These stamps are sure to be a great addition to any collection. If you are interested in purchasing this adorable stamp series, click here.

Take A Great Big Whiff

The great thing about stamp collecting is that you can collect whatever sparks your interest. Scratch and sniff stamps are some of the stamps that I find the most fun and interesting to collect.

The first scented stamp was released by Bhutan in 1973. It featured six stamps in the series, all with a beautiful rose scent. During the production of the stamps, each stamp was perfumed to smell like a rose by soaking in rose essence. Each stamp smelled like the rose that was depicted on the individual stamp.

The scratch and sniff technology has been around for quite some time (since the 1940’s). You might be wondering how scents are captured onto the actual stamps. The process is called Micro-encapsulation. Tiny particles (essence) are surrounded by a microscopic coating. When the surface is scratched on a stamp, only a few scented particles are released at a time. The scent will last easily for 5 years if not longer depending on the amount of scratching done
to the stamp.

Since the successful launch of the scented stamp in Bhutan, many other countries have released their own scented stamps. Flowers are by far the most popular scented stamp produced.

Keep a watch out for more scented stamp news that will be coming soon. Click here to view an amazing array of stamps and stamp collecting products.

Fake Stamps Part III Of III

Continuing from the post on Friday…

Certain stamp cancels and overprints can raise the value of a stamp so you should check the validity before purchasing them. Fake cancels will often have inaccurate dates or will be hand painted in instead of printed.

Re-perforated stamps are the most common fakes out on the market. They are fairly easy to spot especially with a magnifying glass. When a stamp is originally perforated it has holes that are shaped like an oval. Original perforations have little paper tufts that extend slightly in the holes. When a stamp is re-perforated, perforations are added to a straight edge stamp. Look for fakes by checking the holes. The holes on the fakes will likely be poorly spaced and not line up properly.

With stamp collecting being the most popular hobby in the world, it only stands to reason that stamp fakes and forgeries are also the most popular fraud in the world. The old adage still holds true, even when purchasing new stamps ….”If it is too good to be true, than it usually is.”

If you would like to add some wonderful stamps (that are not fakes) to your collection, check this site out.

Fake Stamps Part II Of III

Continuing from the post on Wednesday….

When you are looking for fakes, you should carefully check the gumming on the stamp. Re-gumming a stamp basically means that the stamp no longer contains 100 percent of the gum that it originated with. Re-gumming a stamp is a common source of fraud. When looking at the back of your stamp, look to see if the color of the gum is different. If it is, there is a good chance that it has been re-gummed. Comparing stamps in your collection will help determine if it is a fake. Also look for excessive gum texture, excessive glossy or dull texture, stamp curling and
sharp perforation tips, as these can also be a clue that a stamp has been re-gummed and is not worth the same as it would be if it were not re-gummed.

You should also keep a watchful eye out for any repairs that have been done to the stamp. There might be pieces that have been torn and then replaced, holes or tears that have been repaired, cleaning stains and areas where the stamp may appear to be thinner than other areas on the stamp. Many experts use a professional scanning machine to reveal damaged areas that cannot be seen with the human eye.

Check back on Monday for the conclusion to this post.

Fake Stamps Part I Of III

Even the most experienced collector can be duped into buying a fantastically made fake stamp. Some collectors may even buy them on purpose to add to their collection. Fake stamps are sometimes knowingly purchased so that experienced collectors can study the stamps and learn valuable information about the fakes.

In understanding the underworld of stamp making and altering, it is important to understand the differences in fake stamps.

A fake stamp is different than a forgery. A fake stamp is a genuine stamp that has been altered in some way to change its appearance. Counterfeit stamps are labels that have been created to specifically defraud stamp dealers. Forged stamps are labels that have been created explicitly to defraud collectors.

Collectors should be become familiar and look for the techniques that are used to defraud the Philatelic community.

Repairing damage to stamps, false cancels, overprints, re-gumming and re-perforation are all techniques that the criminals use to fool you. Identifying a fake stamp can be tricky at times, as there are several things that you should be looking for in the process. People who go to the effort of faking stamps are definitely in it to make a good buck.

Please check back on Friday for more information on how to avoid a fake stamp.