More Uncut Press Sheets Without Die Cuts? Uss Constitution

I understand the 08/06/2012 issue of Linn's Stamp News is reporting that the War of 1812 (USS Constitution) Press Sheets will be available WITHOUT die cuts. Further, VSC is noting it as (Order No. 578486) so it will be an entirely separate item from the 1 x 5 Press Sheet WITH die cuts (Order No. 578484) previously announced, although I understand SFS is not yet ready to take orders for them.

I wonder if it will be a "limited edition" this time?

Here we go again!

As I'm sure many already know, the SKU 578486 comes up as "invalid" at the Postal Store right now.

Even SKU 578484, the USS Constitution Press Sheet WITH die cuts, as already documented in USA Philatelic comes up as "invalid" in the Postal Store, too. My guess is that both will have to be ordered via phone as the website is hardly ever updated with accurate information.

I'm done. 2013 will be the year I expand my Ireland and Ukraine collections.

Assuming the imperf verity of these and the MLB stamps receive distinct Scott numbers (and it is hard to see how they won't), I presume most modern collectors would only want an imperf block (or at most a pane) for their collections, it does not seem too hard for a few collectors to share a single uncut press sheet. I don't have the requisite number of posts (yet) to participate via this forum but I would otherwise certainly be interested in contributing for a pane.

I don't collect modern stamps from the USA. I realized I was wasting money on stamps that are just issued so people can buy them to support the postal system. Instead, I use the $70 or so I DIDN'T spend to buy items at least 75 to 150 years old that are much more collectable.

I guess, like so many others, I'll reach the breaking point with current USPS policies but not just yet. I certainly understand those who devote their efforts at the classic and semi-classic stamps. Unfortunately, there are those of us who suffer from the "need" to have something complete and, given my resources, there will never be a compete classic or even semi-classic collection - though I doubt that will stop me from trying on and off. I would love to have a complete US collection across the board but that's not 'gonna happen. Just something like the Trans-Miss, with varieties, is out of reach ... but, hmmm, maybe the Airmails (sans the obvious Jenny invert).

The actions of USPS can be compared to "killing the goose that lays the golden eggs." Stamp collectors purchasing mint US stamps results in virtually pure profit for the post office. Instead of nurturing our hobby, they constantly keep squeezing to get just a little bit more out of us. It is extremely sad to hear, but I understand friends like apastuszek who have just had enough of this baloney and are throwing in the towel. Let's face the fact that nobody in USPS is listening to us, and the only way they ever will is to stick them with thousands of unpurchased press sheets. I wouldn't dare to tell anyone else how to handle this impossible situation, but I for one intend to boycott any further issues of these imperf press sheets.

My issue with the imperf sheets, especially the MLB ones is scarcity. There are not enough MLB imperf se-tenant I existence to fulfill the needs of US collectors. This causes us to sit there and be forced to buy a complete sheet for 54.00. I don't think any of us have any hope of walking into a local stamp store and buying these at a reasonable price.

If they want to make imperf sheets and allow me to pay my 2.00 custom cutting fee to get one or a se-tenant, the I could deal with it better than this spend 54.00 to make sure you don't miss a rarity.

Not that it makes that much of a difference, but the USS Constitution Press Sheets will be in a 1 x 5 format, which means 5 sheets of 20 makes up a Press Sheet. That equates to $45 in face value rather than $54, a $9 savings as compared to the MLB Press Sheet.

Ok, if you're buying a press sheet, I'll trade you an MLB se-tenant for a stamp.

Has anyone had success in ordering the uncut imperf press sheet of the USS Constitution? Or the perf one for that matter? Both SKUs remain "invalid" ?

You have to call into SFS directly for these items. They cannot be ordered on-line via their website.

The number to call for USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services is at 1-800-STAMP-24 (1-800-782-6724).

I just got off the phone with SFS and pre-ordered both the perf and the imperf press sheets of the War of 1812 USS Constitution stamp. The process was a bit confusing as I tried first to use the SKU reported on the VSC site (787486) which came up as invalid when the order clerk tried it. She the searched under "War of 1812" and came up with SKU 578484, "War of 1812 USS Constitution Die-Cut Press Sheet" She had no listing for a non-die-cut or imperf press sheet. For kicks, I had her enter SKU 578486 and, much to her surprise, up pops "War of 1812 USS Constitution Press Sheet Without Die-Cuts." Go figure.

Oh ... and all of a sudden the customer number I've used forever was invalid. She had to find my account using a name search. Something about they now add a leading digit that does not show on your receipts (which is where I always find my customer number). Again, go figure.

I'm glad you were finally able to order this stuff after all that! By the way, the SKU 578484 was what appeared in the All Star Edition of USA Philatelic, so the data the USPS provide in that publication is either inaccurate or changes render it obsolete before it's time!