Newest Purchase

Went to the P.O. today and decided to actually get a full sheet (or book?)of these cool looking ships. The postmaster called it a book, I called it a sheet...I guess they would know? It has 20 stamps on it, and I'm pretty sure that's what the generic book contains or contained.




Anyway--it's my first. I normally buy singles, but decided what the heck.

Peace,
Chad

That is a nice and colorful series issued on July 28, 2011 (and by the way it is a pane of 20, not a booklet, as it doesn't fold into a "booklet" -- simple as that.) It's Scott No. 4548-4551 (4548 is the Clipper Ship; 4549 is the Auxiliary Steamship; 4550 is the Liberty Ship; and 4551 is the Container Ship.)

Thanks wt1--I wasn't sure what it was actually called. Makes sense though. Pane. But tell me, is it wise to collect the whole pane, or just a block of 4? I guess space restraints would determine it. The album I have only has a space for a "strip" of the 4. I could go broke trying to keep all the strategic combinations of stamps that there are!

Peace,
Chad

In terms of value, I doubt these modern stamps will achieve much of anything over face value, as they were printed in such large quantities. In fact, for this issue alone 60 million stamps were produced, so it's unlikely they will ever realize much above face value.

As for how to collect them, it's your choice. The entire pane is often preferred because it has the printed selvage that would otherwise be lost if you only collect a block or strip of the 4 face different stamps. However, larger storage devices then become necessary.

If you intend to mount the stamps into an album, the four individual stamps may do. In fact, some album variations call for the stamps to be mounted as a block of 4 and others as strip of 4. The Scott Catalog isn't much help either, as they designate Scott No. 4551a as "either" a block of 4 or strip of 4, so as long as the four stamps are represented, the value remains unchanged.

The other point is that if you choose to collect a plate block of 4, the top plate block starts with a different stamp than the bottom plate block. On the other hand, if you choose to collect a strip of 4 of the stamps, the first row strip starts with a different stamp than does the second row, etc., so there are a number of variations of how the stamps may be collected.

In my opinion, decide what format you enjoy best (pane, strip or block) and collect each new issue in that format. Just because one catalog or album page maker may say to collect the stamps in one form or another doesn't necessarily make them right. Just collect them in the way that best suits your needs (and budget) and go on to the next issue. Few collectors will ever bother to collect them in all of the possible formats that can be created.

very nice stamps, I also collect ships on stamps.

warm wishes.

Modern stamps never increase in value, unless there is some error found.
Look at stamps from the 40's on up.. I have tons of them, and they sell for below face value at most places.