2015 USPS Issues... News? Thoughts? Opinions?

I too noticed that the 2015 dated ferns were not mentioned in the Scott update section of Linn's for May. I think that eventually Scott will assign them 4973a thru 4977a ... strips of 5 of the 2014, originally assigned to 4977a will probably become 4977b. Strips of 5 of the 2015 ferns will likely be 4977c. Just an educated guess.

Linn's was slow to catch on there were 2 different varieties, so expect the new numbers to be assigned a bit late.

Im just now starting to catalog the 1980's. I guess they'll have it figured out by then. LOL

This is a 2012 issue of a (25c) Eagle for pre-sort first class, which was issued in 10K & 3K coils. The 10k coil is on top, the 3K coil is on bottom. Only one Scott # was assigned for the issue (4585 - 4590, with a strip 4590a) Notice the right Eagle border on the issues: The 3K border is wider than the 10K border. If this is a constant for these issues, should not Scott have assigned a Catalog # to differentiate the variety for collectors?. The 10K right border is approximately 3.5mm while the 3K coil variety border is approximately 4mm. (The left Eagle border is also sized differently.) There have been several dual coil issues, 4722 - 4725 Kaleidoscope Flowers in 2013, and the recent 4961 -4963 Stars/Flag issue in 2015. (I've looked at those issues but could not come up or determine any differences in the printing.) So, it would appear that the 2015 Ferns issue would receive a Catalog # because of its distinct difference (date), would not the 2012 Eagle issue be deserving one as well??

Eligies, the Spectrum Eagle was printed just once for both the 3K and the 10K ro;lls as far as I know.
Separate numbers are only given if there is a physical difference in the stamps.

Peter

Peter: They must have been printed with different plates as the borders for the 3K coil do not match the border width of the 10K thus making them different varieties. I am under the impression that if there is a variety in the design of the stamp, Scott issues a separate catalog number (major or minor, alpha or numeric - alpha). Look at the printing of the same design by the different printers contracted for the same design issue. Each variety has its own distinct catalog number (Flag-Fireworks for example). The initial printing brought us 3 distinct coil catalog numbers, even though they were printed at the same time. I think that the design differences/variety plays into the assignment by Scott more than there was only 1-printing.

The Spectrum Eagle color width has been discussed before. The link to the thread is provided below. Note my next-to-the-last post where I show the difference in width between the 3K and 10K coil colors, said to be nothing more than a die cutting "freak", thus the reason why it does not qualify for a separate Scott catalog number listing:

https://goscf.com/t/23210

Okay wt1: given that explanation & looking at the strips I originally posted, there appears to be something to that theory. Thanks wt1. info was before registration to forum. (need to use search function more). Just for info, did Scott ever publish the determination that it was a 'die-cutting' oddity, or that the difference was brought to their attention as a possible variety but discounted for the reason provided??

As far as I know, Scott has not acknowledged any "varieties" for the Spectrum Eagle stamps, perhaps intentionally, as if they had, they would have been compelled to add a minor variety number or suffix letter identifier, and since they chose not to do it, the question was not raised.

I know this doesn't sound exactly right, but then Scott has had issues with collectors for a number of years over what they choose to list and consider to be a legitimate variety.

The difference is due to a simple shift in the die cutting.

I think you have it right wt1. Scott seems to ignore 'variety' identifications a lot. They even ignore legitimate USPS issues (as either major issue of minor variety issue). I think some of the responders to the post have over simplified it. (yea I'm stirring the pot). I think the runs were done at separate times. They set up one size coil, (either 3K or 10K) to run through the perforators at one setting of the pins and when they set up for the second coil, (either the 3K 10K)the pins were minutely off to produce the border difference. Normally a die cut shift would occur during the run and when discovered, the quantity of stock produced would be discarded as part of the quality control check for damage. The occasional folded over, or broken, loose pin gets through but not in great quantities. This was most probably done during the production set-up. That's why I'm thinking it would be a 'legitimate' variety. It would be helpful for the total collector to be able to determine the production run (3K or 10K) for the issue, much like there are different varieties acknowledge by Scott. Consistency is not one of Scott's strong points is it.

This thing has been a subject of thread after thread. It has always been a big question as to where the editors should cut off a listing.
My personnel biggest interest is in the Transportation coils of 1981 and thereafter. Especially the first 17 or so stamps have so many constant varieties, let alone overprint ( precancel ) varieties one could fill a huge book describing them all.
It is my strong feeling, that for these varieties stamp societies play an important role. In the case of the Spectrum Eagle, this variety ought to be in the catalog of the society for coil specialists, PNC3.

Peter

This shift is small enough that they would never reject it for quality control. Even if the difference was constant between the 3k production and the 10k production, it would not be a variety, it would still just be a shift. One run would be XF and the other only FVF.

Here's a link to the USPS News Release of 05/26/2015 announcing the various new "Forever" stamps for (35c) Postcard, (22c) Additional Ounce, (71c) Second Ounce, (93c) Third Ounce and (71c) Non Machineable Surcharge rates, along with illustrations of the stamps being printed for those purposes. Although the first class "Forever" stamp remains unchanged at 49c, the other rates do change and take effect on May 31, 2015.

Most, if not all, of the new stamps are now available for sale at the USPS Store's website. (The Postcard Rate and Additional Ounce stamps are available for sale in both pane and coil formats.)

http://about.usps.com/news/national...pr15_035.htm

I was browsing the USPS online store yesterday and saw these listed. I thought the designs were neat.

Don't know if I'd ever need any of them for use on my outgoing mail but I am glad the USPS has issued them.

-MV