United States Postal Cards

Thanks for the larger pictures. It confirms UX33 to me. However, the surcharge overprints are different and quite noticeable in the shape of the numeral "1".

The Scott Catalog suggests that there are 46 different types of these overprints and doesn't identify them separately. I suspect those who specialize in postal stationery and/or those that have specialized catalogs can identify those finer details.

For the convenience of those who may not have clicked on your previous link here are the two images you posted, but placed side-by-side:

For some reason Scott has not issued a US Postal Card supplement since
2012 even though a single & double/reply was issued both in 2013 & 2014.

Came across a nice overlay pattern identifier for the 33 (?) various town types of the ux33 cards. Have got it figured out yet, but someday I will....

The United States Postal Card Catalog is the standard work that specialists use. In fact, the USPSS (United States Postal Stationery Society has it's own numbering system. Interested persons can get more info on the USPSS website. Look for a link to my postal card error exhibit posted there too!

The catalog is republished about every 5 years and the most current edition is 2010. But it is loaded with information not found in Scott. Scott catalogs, of course, could never be as extensive in any specialized area as big as postal stationery or postal cards.

The United Postal Stationery Society information and catalog information can be found here: http://upss.org/

It appears a new USPS postal card will be issued this year with the single-piece postcard rate rising to 35¢ from 34¢?

Although it's not out of the question that a new stamped card could be issued for the new postcard rate change coming up, there is no rush to do so, as existing stamped cards are already designated with the "Forever" rate, so depending on quantities currently in stock, a new card may or may not get issued right away.

I do note that the latest USA Philatelic indicates that the old Deer Stamped Card (Forever rate) from 2013 will be going off sale on 06/30/2015. However, the Tree Stamped Card still remains available for sale.

USPS has announced a Fanciful Flowers stamped postal card, which will be issued July 31. USPS says the card features a stylized illustration of flowers and a bee. This whimsical rendering in red, white and green was inspired by observations of life in a garden. The artist used a process similar to woodblock printing to create the stamp art. The colored petals and fragrances of flowers attract bees, providing these important flower pollinators with food and other nutrients in the form of energy-producing nectar and protein-rich pollen. This mutually beneficial relationship has facilitated the evolution of flowers and bees alike. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamped card, illustrated by Cathie Bleck.
Both a single and double reply card will be issued. Looks very nice! Also see http://virtualstampclub.com/lloydblog/?p=2523 and http://www.linns.com/en/news/stamp-...july-31.html

See bee & flower mutually beneficial relationship at:

*** Edited by Staff to add YouTube tags. Please use them in the future. We prefer embedded video. ***

Does anyone find it rather ironic that the USPS has allowed the term "Forever" on postal cards (stamped cards, as they call them now) even though they have decided not to use the term "Forever" on their postcard rate stamps?

It seems to me it just confuses the issue even more -- but so do some of the other new designations put out by the USPS, so I guess we just accept their rationale as having some merit.

Maybe because they charge 11+% surcharge for the postal card they can afford to place Forever on it?. To me they will always be postal cards rather than stamped cards. I will let the next generation decide.

Agreed. Here's a graphic harking back to a previous generation:

According to latest USPS Bulletin, the Fanciful Flowers Postal Card will also be issued in a sheet format as well as the single and double reply - I assume for computer printer use as in the past.
wt1 thanks for sharing the above graphic.

http://about.usps.com/postal-bullet.../pb22417.pdf