New HI Value Waves Of Color Stamps - 12/1/2012 - Orlando, FL

If the waves are engraved, at least that's semi cool. I'll use them for sending larger parcels or what not. I agree that it's annoying to not have readily available a $2 and $5 stamp right now.

Matt

Some similarity to Brazil #1257-1261, high values issued in 1974.

It's funny I was just thinking yesterday how I wish there were plain ol' $2 and $5 stamps for parcels and such (besides the odd-denominated Priority stamps).

But these....

I can just see the stripie-things being different on each stamp in a pane. Scott will then issue a minor variety for every single one, and completists will have to buy entire sheets to keep up their collections

I hope this is an exaggeration of what is truly reality!

Posted a short time ago on August 30, 2012, here's the first "official" reference to these upcoming high value stamps as shown on a USPS website:

https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link...news31s1.htm

If this link is accurate, they have now moved the issue date to December 2012.

Earlier on, Puzzler asked a question about whether the wavy designs continue into the next stamp. I can't see where anyone responded. Looking at one single stamp, it does appear that the wave could continue over to the next stamp. It's especially true on the picture of the ten dollar denomination. If anyone has a picture of an entire sheet, it would be interesting to see how the sheet is arranged. You wouldn't think that USPS would design these sheets so that each of the stamps would be slightly different than its neighbors, would you?

According to the last link posted, the stamps are proportionately larger for each denomination, so while there may be some symmetry to the "waves", they won't match up because the size of each of the four different denomination stamps will be so different.

It is also my understanding that these stamps (because of the high denomination) will only be issued in panes of 10 stamps.

Are we going to have to buy blocks of 4?

If current rules apply, stamps with a face value of $4.95 or higher may be purchaesd as single stamps; stamps lower than that amount have to be purchased in blocks of 4.

Assuming the same rule applies to the Waves of Color Stamps, it would seem that purchase of a block of 4 would be required for the $1 and $2 denominations; single stamps would be available for the $5 and $10 denominations, if desired.

I qualify that statement by pointing out that's the rule in place now. Of course, the USPS has been known to change their minds on such things, so one must wait until they are offered on USPS/Shop or through USA Philatelic to be sure.

I think there will be a gutter around the individual stamps, maybe on all four sides or something. Hopefully.

Boy am I glad I stopped collecting current stickers... er I mean stamps. On second thought, maybe I do mean stickers.

I, for one, don't really mind these stamps. They, to me anyways, don't seem as completely geared towards the collector market as some others I could mention (cute animals... no. scenic views... no.) I, however also don't really see their point- if the USPS taught their employees to put some of those little pretty pictures onto outgoing parcels instead of a barcode, these would make more sense to me, and there would be a valid need. However, where I am anyways there isn't really any need, as unless you ask the clerk specifically for stamps you don't get any, and ergo the stamps will just sit in the post offices desk until they crumble to dust (or when somebody with official power realizes "we'd get more stamp collectors if stamps were easier to get on mail, which means that there would be more people to buy all the junk issues we put out to sell to the shrinking number of collectors"):. A ban of labels... And the collector hobby would grow as a result, and the post office would do better because if new people being sucked into buying more of their stamps without actually intending to use them for postage. /end rant.

I look at this design and then I realize why my US collection ends with the year 2000. Are they self adhesive also? *yarf*

Another thing the USPS should abolish on commemorative stamps... They will be sold to mostly collectors who HATE self adhesives... Or at least produce a dual version with self adhesive and lick'n stick.

Can't really see any defense for creating these stamps from a purely economic standpoint. It's much easier and cost effective for postal clerks to simply apply metered postage. I doubt that the majority of parcel shipments cost exactly $1, $2, $5, or $10, which means that the clerk is either going to have to apply the remaining postage in stamps or slap a metered postage label on it anyway for the additional postage. Routinely, I've had to stop clerks who immediately go for metered postage and have had to specifically ask them to use commemoratives. This is not a criticism of the postal clerk; they're just trying to do what is most efficient from their perspective. These stamps aren't going to change the way they do business. Unless asked otherwise, they'll go for the metered postage.

This is where the $2.00 custom cutting fee could save you a few bucks.