POSTAL SERVICE PLANS CONVENIENT ACCESS TO NEW POSTAGE STAMPS DURING RATE CHANGE

WASHINGTON (USPS press release) -- The U.S. Postal Service announced plans to ensure customers high levels of convenience before and after the Jan. 7 change in postage rates.

Starting Dec. 15, 2000, the Postal Service will make available three non-denominated First-Class stamps (good for the new 34-cent First-Class letter rate) to enable customers to purchase stamps at their convenience before the new rates are in effect.

The new stamp designs feature the Statue of Liberty, Flowers and Farm Flag and will be offered in several formats. (See chart below) Stamps bearing a letter of the alphabet designating the postage rate are no longer produced.

In anticipation of increased demand by customers who wish to use 33-cent stamps they already have on hand, the Postal Service has ramped up its distribution strategy for "make up" stamps--in this instance, 1-cent stamps. Plans call for three separate, automatic shipments of 1-cent stamps to the nation's post offices. Also, 1-cent stamps will be available in the popular self-adhesive format.

In keeping with the Postal Service's mandate of universal access, the non-denominated stamps will be available at more outlets than ever. In addition to some 38,000 postal retail outlets, including Post Offices, Postal Stores, contract stations and community post offices, the Postal Service will make stamps available at non-postal retail outlets through stamps-on-consignment agreements and through its comprehensive self-service vending program.

Stamps will also be available by telephone, toll free, at 1 800 STAMP-24, and online at the newly introduced Postal Store at www.usps.com.

FORMATS FOR NON-DENOMINATED 2001 POSTAGE STAMPS
Design Format
Statue of Liberty: Self-Adhesive Book of 20 Statue of Liberty: Self-Adhesive Vending of 20
Statue of Liberty: Gummed Coil of 3000
Statue of Liberty:Self-Adhesive Coil of 100
Flowers: Self-Adhesive Book of 20
Flowers: Self-Adhesive Vending of 20
Flowers: Self-Adhesive Coil of 100
Farm Flag: Self-Adhesive Pane of 20
Farm Flag: Gummed Pane of 20
Farm Flag: Self-Adhesive ATM Book

by Lyn Johnson

Why collect, or study, or pay any attention to those tiny pieces of paper called postage stamps, other than to use them for their necessary function of sending mail?
There is something unique that can be seen in a stamp, and each stamp's uniqueness can be a catalyst that can spark an interest in them; and sometimes it may include a special personal connection.
An interest in stamps can also start with something basic, as happened in my case: a gift to a young person of a package of stamps and an album with llustration/reproductions of stamps for matching.
The interest can continue in a similar way, and in other ways, as with: a stamp issued: (a) on one's birthday (the same day and year); (b) on one's birthday (although a different year); (c) in the year of one's birth; or (d) in one's birth month; (e) a stamp issued in the nation of one's birth; or (f) the nation(s) of one's ethnic origin or heritage.
Stamps issued in subjects one likes is also an incentive to collect, study and/or pay attention to, stamps. [for me: illustrations of literary scenes and characters; quotations, from writers' writings, especially in poetry and classic children's literature, or quotations in various fields ( history, science, the arts); nature; human-made landmarks; people of note (authors, naturalists and other scientists, composers, artists); a stamp commemorating one's career or the career of a family member or friend; stamps depicting moments, things and people of historic interest ( space exploration, women's accomplishments); and the thrill of owning little pieces of art and vignettes of history (i.e. stamps in their own right, or stamps depicting something important in civilization's and a culture's history).
If a person does not collect stamps, then maybe one's forte is: studying stamp history or subjects on stamps; or just having enjoyable moments of seeing some stamps and reading about their stories; plus, maybe most importantly, discovering something
interesting.
Maybe a highlight of one's interest in stamps in today's cyberage is: discovering, and/or visiting, stamp data web sites, stamp education sites with interesting information, or sites with stamp study or trivia questions.
Even more interesting perhaps, as in my case, is: finding, then describing and analyzing stamp sites for an educational web directory so students, anyone, can find out about this multi-faceted pastime that's both educational and fun.
In studying/collecting stamps, be on the lookout for, in particular subjects or categories: first stamp; first U.S. stamp; most-liked stamp; significance of stamp's date and place of issue; stamp portraying a basic aspect of a subject; stamp depicting some unique aspect of a subject; or stamp's designer

More things to keep in mind:
- Topical Stamps: stamps on the same subject or theme
- Commemorative Stamps: stamps celebrating important people, special events or
special dates
- FDCs: special envelopes, called First Day Covers, with stamps plus postmarks and related illustrations and/or information connected to the stamps
- Post Card versions of stamps: also known as maximum cards
- Postal Posters with featured stamps and large illustration: the same or similar to what is on the stamp
Some stamps in my special collections:
Literary Stamps
Washington Irving's LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW, 10-10-74
Youth Classic Books Stamps 1993, USA, with Scenes
Louisa May Alcott's LITTLE WOMEN
Laura Ingalls Wilder's LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
Mark Twain's TOM SAWYER PAINTING FENCE,
Hannibal, MO, 10-13-72
Art Stamps & FDCs
1979 Stamp Sheet of UN stained glass window mural by Chagall
1978 Norman Rockwell Cover Collection:
FRIENDS IN NEED (1929) painting with boy and 2 dogs reproduced, with 1966 Humane Treatment of Animals 5-cents stamp
THE MEETING (1935) painting with teacher, mother and young student reproduced; with 1972 PTA 5-cents stamp
DOCTOR & DOLL (1929) painting reproduced; with 1947 3-cents stamp depicting doctors and commemorating 100th anniversary of medical profession
Music on Stamps
"The Music of America is Freedom's Symphony" (with 2 violins), 6-23-80, Williamsburg, PA
"Peace Unites A Nation Like Harmony in Music" (with piano),10-25-79, Shreveport, LA
Space Exploration on Stamps
PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE - UN STAMP, 3-14-75
1981 SPACE ACHIEVEMENTS 8-STAMP ISSUE (with illustrations of: space probes, astronaut, shuttle in various positions in space; all with space as background, some with Earth in background; each with words: e.g. COMPREHENDING THE UNIVERSE, BENEFITING MANKIND, EXPLORING THE MOON, PROBING THE PLANETS)
Nature on Stamps
INTERNATIONAL PEACE GARDEN, 6-30-82, Dunseith, ND
U.S. STATE BIRDS stamp sheet -- 4-14-72
AMERICAN ROSE stamp, 7-11-78, Shreveport, LA
Natural Landmarks (e.g. Coral Reefs, 8-26-80, Charlotte Amalie, VT)
Stamps Depicting Careers or Places Related to Careers
AMERICAN LIBRARIES, 7-13-82, Philadelphia, PA
People of Note on Stamps
EMILY DICKINSON, American Poet, 8-28-71, Amherst, MA
RACHEL CARSON, Naturalist/Writer, 5-28-81, Springdale, PA
BRONTE SISTERS with scenes from their books, 7-8-80, Edinburgh, Scotland
T.S. ELIOT, American Poet, 9-29-66, St. Louis, MO
John Glenn, first American to orbit Earth, honored on FDC, with Project Mercury stamp, 2-20-62, Cape Canaveral, FL
FDC featuring illustration of Sally Ride, with ballooning stamp, 6-18-83, Cape Canaveral, FL
Special Events
1979 YEAR OF THE CHILD Stamp depicting scene from Lewis Carroll's ALICE'S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, London
1988 CALGARY CANADA WINTER OLYMPICS ON STAMPS (e.g. digital computer image depicting figure skating)
1976 Bicentennial issue of U.S. STATE FLAGS on stamp sheet
Miscellaneous
A NATION OF READERS, 10-18-84, Washington, DC (portraying Abraham Lincoln reading to young son)
LEARNING NEVER ENDS, 9-12-80, Franklin, MA
LETTER WRITING, 2-25-80, Washington, DC
mounted BABE RUTH stamp, 7-6-83, Chicago, IL (my Dad's)
Aiming to Get:
Save the Environment stamp (4-20-96)
Helping Children Learn stamp (2-18-97)
Looking forward to:
Introducing the wonders of stamps to my young nieces and nephew.

It was about half a century ago, but I can remember clearly remember how my life-long interest in stamp collecting began.

A grandmother had a cedar hope chest. This was a large trunk-like container. Apparently brides-to-be and families used such chests to hold keepsakes and items of special note. My grandmother seldom let anyone see inside the chest. But one day she let me delve inside and see what treasures were there. My eyes quickly settled on a paperbound stamp album. This was nothing special. It was the sort that sold for a couple of dollars at the time. This one was from H.E. Harris, then one of the biggest stamp dealers in the nation and perhaps the world. It was a U.S. album, and my grandmother had carefully collected maybe 100 commemoratives.

I was fascinated by these small works of art, and to this day I can remember the exact stamp that primarily attracted my attention. It was the New York World's Fair issue of 1939.

To this day whenever I see that stamp, my child's heart beats a little faster. That day marked the beginning of my life-long passion for stamps. I wish my grandmother was still alive, so I could hug her and say, "Thank you for giving me a start on such a delightful hobby."

LOS ANGELES (USPS press release) - Since before e-mail and fax machines, the U.S. mail has been the fastest and best way to keep in touch with family and friends.

In recognition of the hard work and dedication of mail carriers and postal workers throughout the country, and especially during the holiday season, Johnny Rockets restaurants provided ``The Original'' hamburger to postal workers on Dec. 14, 2000 for free.

In the spirit of the company's roots, Johnny Rockets, which was founded on the old-fashioned American value of service, honors postal workers who continue to exemplify the service of a bygone era. Dec. 14 marks the single busiest mail day of the year.

In 1775, Benjamin Franklin became the country's first Postmaster General, heading the U.S. Postal Service. Since its inception, the U.S. Postal Service has become an important part of Americana. The U.S. Postal Service reached a peak of importance during the 1940s and '50s before the advent of technology and instant communications.

``Mail had a significant impact on Americans during the simple time of the `40s and `50s. Mail carriers connected American families and we want to thank them for their service -- then and now,'' said Johnny Rockets Chairman and CEO Michael Shumsky. ``This era of simplicity in America is what Johnny Rockets is all about -- good American fare and friendly service.''

Johnny Rockets invites mail carriers to come in uniform and bring their work identification to any of its 130 participating restaurants across the United States and receive a complimentary ``The Original'' hamburger.

Johnny Rockets restaurants are located in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, the Greater New York area, Boston, Baltimore, Phoenix, Tucson, Ariz., San Francisco, Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Columbus, Ohio, Miami, Albuquerque, N.M., Tampa, Fla., Orlando, Fla., and Birmingham, Ala.

``At the U.S. Postal Service, we strive to serve our country as we have for hundreds of years, with dedication and perseverance,'' said John Nolan, deputy postmaster general and chief marketing officer. ``We appreciate Johnny Rockets' gesture.''

WASHINGTON (USPS press release)-- Postmaster General William Henderson has announced the appointment of Larry King as the newest member of the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC).

"Larry King brings to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee years of experience working with some of our country's greatest scholars, inspirational leaders, politicians and entertainers," said Henderson. "His unique talents and perspective will help the committee ensure that the U.S. commemorative stamp program continues to celebrate American history and culture in an inspiring and educational way."

Dubbed "the most remarkable talk-show host on TV ever" by TV Guide and "master of the mike" by TIME magazine, the Emmy Award-winning King hosts CNN's "Larry King Live," the first worldwide phone-in television talk show and the network's highest-rated program. He also hosts "Larry King Weekend" for CNN, as well as a series of specials for CNN's sister network, TNT. In addition, King writes a weekly newspaper column for USA Today and has written 11 books.

With more than 40,000 interviews to his credit, King is one of the most respected personalities in the news and entertainment industry. He has been inducted into five of the nation's leading halls of fame for broadcasters. Both his radio and television shows have won the George Foster Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting.

King also has won a News and Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Interview/Interviewer and 10 CableACE awards for Best Interviewer and for best Talk Show Series. In May 1997, King celebrated his 40th anniversary in the broadcasting industry and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his life's work.

Established in 1957, the CSAC is tasked with reviewing more than 50,000 stamp subject proposals annually received by the Postal Service and is responsible for making subject and design recommendations to the Postmaster General.

CSAC members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Postmaster General. The CSAC is currently composed of 12 members whose backgrounds reflect a wide range of educational, artistic, historical and professional expertise. All share an interest in philately and fulfilling the needs of the mailing public.

We have a postage currency bill with 5 George Washington printed stamps on it. The number 50 is written on the top of the left and right corner. On the back, then value is listed at five dollars and dated July 17, 1862. Can you please send us any information regarding this postage bill? These are stamps printed on Treasury Department paper at a time when small coins had disappeared from circulation because of tremendous hoarding of cash in the early days of the Civil War. First the U.S. Treasurer, Frank E. Spinner, affixed postage stamps to Treasury paper to replace coins. Then, on July 17, 1862, Congress authorized "postage currency." This was not money, by definition, but a means of making stamps negotiable. The first issue, one variety of which you have, depicted stamp designs as part of the overall design. Later issues did not show stamps and are known as "fractional currency." Four major varieties of the denomination you have exist.

Are used stamps of any value? Yes, although it must be noted that for the hundreds of thousands of postage stamps issued since 1840, the overwhelming bulk have more value mint than used. But, don't dispose of a stamp merely because it is used.

What does UPAEP stand for? Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal.

Queen of Belgium was Louise-Marie.
In 1962, a stamp was issued with the letters "ML". It was later changed to the correct first letter "L".