USPS $2 Inverted Jenny "Collectors Edition" Stamps & Proofs

According to this link, the USPS will be offering a "Collector's Edition" of this issue, including:

> A mint sheet;
> A cancelled sheet;
> A series of proofs that show each intaglio color in isolation;
> An authentic section of the die wipe used during the press run;
> Sleeves for preserving the proofs and stamps; and
> A 48-page booklet revealing the story of the stamp.

According to the web page, ordering information is "coming soon". I imagine it will be a rather pricey item.

http://stampproducts.com/inverted-jenny/

This is fascinating. Like some other stamps issued almost exclusive for stamp collectors, this one is particluarly packaged for stamp collectors.

And . . . will Scott list it and continue the hypocrisy of saying they only list issues for stamps produced expressly for postage (versus stamps issued primarily for stamp collectors)?

Curious, does $2 satisfy any particular postal rate?

Absolutely not! That's part of the problem with this issue. While collectors will flock to pickup the stamp as a collectible, it serves virtually no postal use.

It's been argued before that the Inverted Jenny stamp reprints should have been "Forever" stamps for first class mail, but of course, the USPS wouldn't make that much of a profit by doing so. Of course, one can affix these $2 stamps to large parcels or use multiple examples on Priority Express Mail, etc., but the $2 face value of the stamp means nothing to the average person; it's only a way to get more money out of collectors through having to buy the full souvenir sheet ($12 face value) and the confidence the USPS has in that most collectors will opt to keep the souvenir sheet intact for collecting purposes and other than some select philatelic covers, few stamps will ever see legitimate postal use.

And that doesn't even begin to mention content or cost of the so-called "Collector's Edition" initially posted in this thread.

Why on Earth are they celebrating a 'ninety-fifth' anniversary? Afraid they won't be around in five years, perhaps? Don't want to wait for the money?

You forgot one option. So that they can make more money in five years.

Well, I won't have to worry too much about buying these! At my post office only about 6 different issues for 2013 are available. One of those was the car sheetlet, but of course they are sold out! The only "Waves of Color" dollar values I can get is the $1.00 value, but I have to drive to another town for them! They did have the forever international stamp at last, about six months after issue date!
I wanted a sheet of West Virginia stamps ( my wife is from Charleston ) and they told me they would not order those!

Peter

This won't get listed, sadly. At the same time, they'll continue to list the Looney Tunes imperfs, and the Bill Pickett error sheet.

And to complain about the USPS here....

This is a collectors only product, and I guarantee you these stamps will be self-adhesive. If you want to celebrate the inverted jenny, make some gummed, perforated stamps.

Proofs? Are they really? First I have heard of proofs being made for collectors specifically. I think proof aficionados would agree the term is not being properly applied. These are not proofs, but new marketing gimmicks. If Scott listed these as proofs it would make even less sense than their policy on the new no die cut sheets.

Please post when it goes on sale, I want to see how outrageous this item will be priced. I am guessing $100+.

Petert4522




Have you tried the USPS ebay listings?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/usps/m.html...047675.l2562

Cynic!

[edit: I mean, 'psychic!']

I don't know how large or small of a post office is involved, but I am quite confused by the statements that a post office doesn't have any new issues. I can understand not having the high value or international rate stamps, as those have to be special ordered, but regular first class commemorative "Forever" stamps are AUTOMATICALLY DISTRIBUTED to every post office in the US, at least according to the Postal Bulletin.

If that's not the case, someone should be inquiring directly to the Postmaster or the Regional Representative from the USPS in your area to find out what's going on as it would appear to be against postal regulations for them to not have the stamps available for consumer purchase. Of course, they may get very few and they may not necessarily be available the first day of issue, but they should still get at least a few of them in due course, without any special ordering.

Wt1, Thank you! I do not normally go to my post office for commemoratives any more; due to the flood of issues I have quit collecting them.
The West Virginia stamp was a special case for me, as I stated.
Our post office is medium sized, I suppose. We had up till five years ago a "Postique" that had all of the new issues. It was closed sometime back and is now just sitting there.
Now we have a frame hanging to the side of the counters. In that frame are pictures of the stamps available. And of all the stamps that are issued so far this year, six are available!

Peter

Yakboomer, I had no idea that the USPS has an E-Bay store! Yeah, they need one!
But I do not want to pay $1.25 extra for stamps that ought to be available at the post office!
Thanks a bunch for pointing this out though! Peter