First Look At US Harry Potter Stamp Booklet

As reported in USA Today, 5 million booklets of 20 (100 million stamps) will be issued. Each stamp in the booklet of 20 will have a different design:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/...ale/3491615/

The booklet is now available for pre-order: https://store.usps.com/store/browse...catBuyStamps

It will be a folded booklet with five pages. By the looks of it we will have to wait until Nov19 for all the designs, but perhaps the Postal Bulletin (to be issued this Thursday) will shed some light on the stamps before the official launch.

I wonder...

Since these stamps apparently depict actors playing Harry Potter characters, is this technically a "back door" approach to depicting living individuals on US Stamps? While arguably there have been living people identified on US Stamps in the past that were not depicted by name, since the stamp image shown below is of Daniel Radcliffe, a UK born actor, does this represent the first non-USA living person appearing on a US Stamp?

Thanks. I hadn't checked the USPS site yet today. My wife will love these.

Since there were several living persons in the background of a number of stamps in the 20th century, it's really impossible to know for sure. Certainly the first easily recognizable person.

Some additional closeups of a selection of the stamps that will be part of the Harry Potter Booklet at this link:

http://www.today.com/klgandhoda/har...a-2D11586024

Is not its intent to commemorate "popular culture" ? The books and movies of JK Rawlings and the fictional 'character' portrayed by the actor Daniel Radcliffe .

Personally, for such a release such as this, it's good that this is coming out before christmas. While there are very good Christmas stamps coming out - including one that reminds me of last years Canadian issue - imagine sending things or even cards to fans with these stickered to the envelope.

My first thought was Sir Alec Guinness, but he passed away before the stamps were issued. But how about Natalie Portman? Or when you say non USA living person, do you mean non USA residing person? And does all the make up eliminate her from competition? We'll need some rules here. :)

EDIT: If I remember correctly (big if sometimes) US Scott 286 "Farming in the West" was the first US stamp to "feature" living persons. Much like the Harry Potter stamps, there was no intent to commemorate the actual people. I don't remember much of the story, but there's a good chance that at least one of these farmers was born outside the US.

For those who like to jump the queue and pre-order any of these philatelic items, you can call SFS at 1 800 782-6724 like me and order these by the their item number:

Souvenir Booklet of 20 (also available at usps.com)
$9.20
471104

Press Sheet with die cuts
$55.20
471106

Press Sheet without die cuts
$55.20
471108

First Day Covers (Set of 20)
$18.00
471116

Ceremony Program (Random Single)
$6.95
471130

Digital Color Postmark First Day Covers (Set of 20)
$32.20
471121

Souvenir Booklet of 20 & Digital Color Postmark First Day Cover (Random Single)
$10.95
471110

Commemorative Panel with booklet of 20 stamps
$17.95
471133

Framed Art (22#65533; x 16#65533;)
$49.95
471124

Info was kindly provided by Foster Miller on another forum.

I forgot the mention that the latest postal bulletin did not provide any info whatsoever about these philatelic items or the press sheet configuration. I guess the booklets are double-sided (like the gingerbread houses issue) and that the press sheets are perhaps 2x3 or 3x2 booklets - or maybe they are 1x6? Thank you, USPS, for leaving us collectors in the dark once again...

Anyone know who the printer of the Harry Potter stamps is? Ashton-Potter perhaps?

Did search all official Information had TBD on it . ( USPS release )

I have said it before, and I suppose I will say it again, I am not a fan of the USPS pandering to popular culture.

i's called marketing .. not pandering

I hope this brings in new collectors. I have a large collection to sell someday.

These look very nice, better than I expected. They should be a hit.