2014 USPS Issues... News? Thoughts? Opinions?

Does anyone know whether the USPS announces in advance the availability of press sheets w/o die cuts on its forthcoming stamp issues? Or do we simply have to wait until they appear on the USPS website?

I usually peruse the biweekly postal bulletins (on usps.com). In the "Stamp Services" section, you can read the details about soon-to-be-issued stamps. In most instances, this includes information about press sheets (type & quantity).

Much obliged, JLLebbert.

The latest USPS catalogue seems to indicate that the Harvey Milk stamp sheet has no header or selvage design. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks.

You are correct. Here's an illustration of the Press Sheet. Rather plain and boring with no selvage (although there will be plate numbers in each of the four (4) corners on each pane:



For a closer look, here's the combination pane and DCP off the USPS website:



ADDITIONAL NOTE: The 05/01/2014 Postal Bulletin is now on-line and provides details for this issue. Even though there's no printing on the selvage, it states that the reverse side of the pane will contain biographical information on Mr. Milk.

Many thanks wt1. I searched for an image of the HM pane to no avail at the time I posted, but now I see that the press sheet is up on the USPS website.

It is not clear from the Bulletin whether the bio info of HM on the back is presented utilizing the whole pane, or just one individual stamp repeated for every stamp. I wish the USPS would provide such info clearly as it would affect my decision on whether to collect the pane.

I suspect the bio on the reverse of the Harvey Milk stamp will be on the entire reverse side of the pane (not repeated on each stamp). That seems to be the way the USPS does it for stamps with only one design. Besides, they want collectors to buy an entire pane, not just an individual stamp or block of stamps, which is why they typically lean toward that approach.

I now have a few sheets of the new circus poster stamps, and I think they are stunning! I LOVE the vintage style, and the various sizes. Perhaps I am biased, being a fan of vintage ephemera, but I just plain love these stamps!

The Vintage Circus Poster Stamps do look nice, however, if you follow USPS Facebook, there are a number of complaints being lodged against the USPS for issuing these stamps (even to suggest boycotting them) because of the abuse that animals may suffer under circus conditions.

Of course, there are both praise and complaints about virtually every stamp that is issued, so one has to make their own determination as to the subject matter.

Oh, please tell me you're not being serious... (CENSORED)

Yup, you are serious. I checked.

You know, I would never buy the Harvey Milk stamp. But I sure don't think they should be BANNED. EVERYONE should have a choice to buy what they want. If you don't like the politics behind the topic, you don't buy it. Simple. Why prevent other people from buying them?

I better stop now before

Just an observation as I was looking at the specifications for the upcoming Hot Rods Stamps as announced in today's Postal Bulletin:

1. Why is it that the black hot rod shows the shadow of the car in black and the red hot rod shows the shadow of the car in gray? Is it intentional due to the angle in which the cars are shown?

2. I note the Postal Bulletin identifies the colors used in the stamps will include cyan (blue). Where is that color used on the stamps? Could it be shading in the black hot rod, perhaps over the trunk and headlight of that stamp? In any event, it seems quite subtle usage to require a whole extra color in the printing process.

Having lived for quite a while in the Sarasota region, I cannot wait to get my hands on a few of the circus stamps. But if they're this weeks boycott, as everyday is a "fight" and a boycott over something, typically by people who wouldn't even be purchasing the item to begin with, as is usually the case, I can make one claim that I'm sure is correct: Those animals aren't currently performing close to 80 years or so later after the posters were commissioned just as I don't recall ever seeing any elephants circling St Armonds Circle in recent times. I've moved on to being interested in the artwork and cultural history of the topic. To paraphrase a former high ranking official in the USA, "Dude, that was like...years ago".

Autos, circus and hendrix. Want but I dont think I'll buy them. I'll wait n see if they show up used. Right now Im sticking to lick n stick. The new stamps look like I printed them on a laser.

Linn's Stamp News is announcing the preliminary designs of the upcoming Hudson River School stamps featuring four paintings in a block of four format which is scheduled for issue in Hartford, CT on August 21, 2014:

http://linns.com/news/breaking-stam...rever-stamps