Just What We Don't Need: Another 2012 Forever Stamp!

Just what we don't need: Yet another 2012 Forever Stamp announced by the US Postal Service slated for April 2012, commemorating Louisiana's Statehood. Here's the official news release:

http://about.usps.com/news/national...pr11_130.htm

I've now lost count of the number of face different stamps being announced for 2012. Whatever the number, I figure it's now well beyond my budget for new issue stamp purchases.

Wr1, how are you my friend.

In Australia there's never been a 'Forever' stamp issued (i think). What is the principle behind their issue and use ? Do they initially cost a little more/less but have a unlimited use-by period ?. What sort of application - Domestic ? Can they be used on overseas mail ? etc etc.

Consumer never has to worry about whether the stamp they have will cover the current 1st class postage rate. Post office doesn't have to worry about producing/delivering/selling small denomination stamps to meet the needs of those who still have stocks of pre-hike stamps.



Cost the same as current first class rate. "Forever" is a relative word. USPS can always declare bankruptcy, or USPS or government can change the rules and demonetize stamps at any time. A stamp is not a "forever" binding legal contract.



In 1995, UPU approved the use of non-denominated stamps on international mail. So the US forever stamps can be used as 44c stamps (45c after Jan 22, 2012) toward the payment of the international rate.

Khj, a sincere thank you.

Yes, it does make sense to reduce costs by not making/delivering small denomination make-up value stamps.

You know, when I first read that, I was puzzled because I mis-read it, and then I chuckled. There are two ways to read that phrase, depending what which word you are stressing...

...how ARE YOU, my friend? -- sounds pretty friendly, buddy greeting

and

...HOW are you my friend? -- put you on the spot, prove it!

Have to agree wt1, I stopped about half way through this year buying the new issues at the PO. It was just getting out of hand. Everytime I went in, there was something new. Since I was collecting the sheetlets of 20 stamps, each sheetlet was $8.80 a pop. I know I could have settled for singles, but just how do you collect a mint single from a sheetlet? If you remove the stamp from the sheet, just what do you attach it to and if you do, is the stamp still mint?

I guess one solution is to collect used, go in buy one stamp and send the cover to yourself.

I have kind of written off collecting any recent US issues. When I'm home in the US I'll buy them for usage and for friends abroad who
collect US material, but the majority of the self adhesive "forever" issues seem more like stickers to me than stamps. It's a real pity to see
the majority of the new US issues like that. I can only imagine what collectors will think about these things 100 years from now!

Then again, they may be using these "forever" issues 100 years from now... after all their value is "FOREVER".

Ajnabii, a 100 years from now:

I honestly think that the USA may eventually self implode/extinguish due to debt.

Right now if the debt was lined up end for end in $1 bills it would take a Jet 200 years to reach the last bill traveling at 1000 kph none stop.

When one borrows there comes a time when one almost stops spending on non-essentials to enable their home debt to be re-payed in a time period of 10 - 25 years depending how diligent one's money is used.

The Government will have to do same and the economic result is obvious - nothing for free or end up like ALL great nations in history.

I do think the image on this stamp is beautiful. I agree with what is said above about the FOREVER program and that it might/will have adverse effect down the road.

I should also mention that according to the "Beyond the Perf" website, there is yet another announcement of a new issue due on December 5, 2011.

They've already got a solution for that problem. In the future, they will simply print shorter bills.

or spend another billion or so to help develop faster jets!

Which the government will first provide to bail out the CEOs and CFOs, so that they can get to their monthly meetings in Hawaii and the French Riviera on time.

Our government is so thoughtful and well-planned...

Tying in to Ajnabii's comments about the current US stamps appearing to be "stickers", I've wondered lately about the shelf life of the gum on the self-adhesive stamps. As we've all seen the gum on the old "licked" stamps holds up amazing well as long as it stays dry and undisturbed. Don't know if the PO has done any studies on it, but I'm not so sure that the gum on those "stickers" will actually last very long. It scares me to think of a well protected mint collection self-destructing despite a collector's best efforts to protect it. Any thoughts?

If I could bring this topic back to the Original Post ...

I respectfully disagree, WT1. I think a State Bicentennial is exactly the type of thing that is worthy of a commemorative stamp.

Now if you'd like to debate the stamp-worthiness of shirts, bicycles, and weather vanes, then I share your concerns. And I agree in general about the escalating cost of collecting new issues.

KirkS