2013 USPS Issues... News? Thoughts? Opinions?

Johnny Cash stamp issue products are already available for pre-order:
https://store.usps.com/store/browse...tId=S_579404 (mint stamp sheet)

Some subtle changes have been made to the upcoming 2013 US Stamp Program now listed on "Beyond the Perf":

First, the New England Lighthouses Stamps have been confirmed for issue on July 13, 2013 in five (5) different locations representing each lighthouse location, including Portland, ME, New Castle, NH, Boston, MA, Wakefield, RI and New London, CT.

Second, the Made in America: Building a Nation stamps are no longer set for issue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Instead, they are still on the new issue program for issue on August 8, 2013 but with a first day of issue location "to be determined".

Finally, the Battle of Lake Erie (War of 1812) stamp has been moved from September 2 to September 10, 2013, still to be issued in Put-in-Bay, Ohio.

http://beyondtheperf.com/schedule

Someone on one of the other stamp websites have posted the following, which is said to be the insert poster in the latest issue of USA Philatelic (Second Quarter 2013) which has not reached my mailbox yet. (It is not included in the on-line version of the catalog.):



The stamp issue seems nice enough and with the "November" header is likely slated for a Veteran's Day release. HOWEVER, it is also being reported that sources have said the issue may or may not happen, as it continues to be a "work in progress".

I guess we just have to stay tuned and see what happens.

Also pictured on the insert poster are the Christmas stamps. I'm not sure if someone has posted this yet or not, but here they are:

Beautiful poinsettias for the contemporary Christmas stamp, but I must admit that I preferred the originality of last year's Holy Family stamp to this return to the Madonna and Child versions. Admittedly, the Holy Family was a very tough act to follow for USPS, but I would have preferred something that was equally unique.

I haven't yet received my copy of USA Philatelic for the Second Quarter. Can someone tell me if they included an illustration of the Global Forever (round) stamp with the Christmas theme? It is supposed to be depicting a wreath.

No, the poster didn't include the Global Forever stamp with Christmas theme.

Here's an interesting comparison. The stamp on the left is taken from the USA Philatelic insert; the stamp design on the right from another stamp website. There are significant differences in the size of the poinsettia plant and the LR portion of the stamp field above the word "FOREVER". It will be interesting to see how close to these examples the actual stamp is when it gets issued:

I haven't received my copy as well, but I was hoping for something as good as last year. I guess I'll have an excuse to get more of last years versions should they still be available.

I actually am looking forward to this one. It's a banner year as this will make 2 designs that I actually like (Muscle Cars) and I usually don't like the newer issues, but Johnny Cash is a different story.

Received my copy today. There is no circular Christmas stamp. Those images being pasted are from a really neat insert, which I won't ruin the surprise over. So it's not really full disclosure I don't think. In other words, don't see why the issue isn't still possible if it has been rumored.

Exactly. We're still waiting on the March on Washington Stamp (50th anniversary) which was announced previously but no artwork or other details have been provided (yet). Rumor has it that the artwork has been delayed. The USPS will have to get on the ball pretty soon on that one, as the 50th anniversary date is August 28th, so they don't have all that much time to get the stamp design printed and ready for distribution somewhere around that date.

USPS Facebook has posted today the invitation to the upcoming First Day of Issue Ceremony for the Lydia Mendoza (Music Icons) stamp slated for issue on May 15, 2013 in San Antonio, TX:

Here's the official USPS Invitation to the First Day of Issue ceremony for the Civil War (1863) Stamp in Vicksburg, MS:

Another "philatelic product" being offered by the USPS. Interesting that it wasn't previously included in the Postal Bulletin's list of philatelic products being offered for this issue:

https://store.usps.com/store/browse...rintsPosters