Any News On The US Batman Stamp

Anyone heard anything as to if the Batman stamp was issued this week (yet to be issued this week) at the Comic Con in San Diego?

The local PO's know nothing about it.

Is this a one issue one place stamp? (i.e. only available at Comic Con)?

Thanks

If a Batman stamp is in the works, it will almost certainly be issued after the month of August ... probably October or later.

Not according to Linns or the USPS. They claim July during the event in San Diego. The PO has been lax in listing dates on a LOT of new issues lately.

My guess -- and this is only a guess -- is that the stamp issue is tied up in legal problems with use of the rights to the images, etc.

You will note several recent stamp issues now have an extensive "rights" issue attached to them (i.e. read the Postal Bulletin about the upcoming Hudson River School stamps). Presumably, the USPS has been embroiled in just too many lawsuits over the use of copyright images, that they must have these legal issues accurately resolved before they can issue the stamps.

It is my understanding the planned stamps for later this year featuring Celebrity Chefs and Graphic Designers is also tied up in similar legal issues with the rights to use images of those involved.

Linn's did report in February that a Batman stamp was likely at the July event. But in the current Linn's, they list a Batman stamp with a question mark and an autumn release. I suspect wt is correct in his assumption that copyright problems are pushing back several issue dates.

Probably correct. Thanks for inputs

So whatever happened to commissioning unique artwork/engravings for postal stamps?

In this case, I don't think it would matter if my 10 year old nephew drew an awesome picture of batman. It still couldn't be used as a stamp without copyright issues

Perhaps so. But if agreement cannot be gotten easily from a copyright holder, then why does the USPS bother? The USPS doesn't make any "profit" so I don't understand why a copyright holder would really care, and might think they would appreciate the public attention. But if not, then drop it, and move on.

I really don't pay much attention to new USPS issues (except when they intersect with my topical interest, which is aviation). I'm very boring when it comes to choosing stamps for postage, normally selecting either the Purple Heart or some Flag 1st Class/Forever stamp. No copyright issues there, I suppose. Some of the new issues personally turn me off, because they seem designed to appease the forces of political correctness and only certain dimensions of popular culture. The one exception to my Purple Heart or Flag purchase tendency is at Christmas, when I go for one of the religious themed varieties. I wonder how long it will be before they stop selling those?

"Some of the new issues personally turn me off, because they seem designed to appease the forces of political correctness and only certain dimensions of popular culture".

Appease? Or APPEAL TO? That's what stamps are supposed to do, reflect the very wide range and tastes that is all part of the spirit of America, and show inclusion of all of us. Even in the classic 1847-1890 era there was a wide range of political views amongst the various subjects chosen, although most collectors probably don't think about that at this point.

Personally, I am going to buy a lifetime supply of Janis Joplin stamps when (and if) they come out.

The fact is that the USPS does make a profit from the sale of US Stamps and is their main source of revenue. In fact, with the USPS move toward more "pop culture" themes for postage stamps, the USPS is banking on people buying stamps to save for collecting purposes, which puts 100% of the profit back into the USPS without having to offer any postal services for the purchases. Of course, many -- if not all -- of these "pop culture" themes require copyright holder approval but it is apparently worth the effort based on the value of stamp sales.

Even though it isn't part of this topic, being a postal stationery kind of guy, the Canadian post Office has a great idea. They issue a set of photo postal cards with 95% of their current issue stamps, with international postage rate applied. This is a smart idea, as people can send a photo (of something Canadian) to people anywhere in the world, at any time. The quantities are low as they issue a bunch of items per year, and they cut the print quantity down to compensate for that. I think the USPS could do the same, would certainly make the game more interesting.

Point taken, especially about the stamps purchased for collecting purposes. I was thinking about "profit" in terms of the overall profitability of the USPS, which is routinely negative. But, the "profit" from stamps bought for collecting (and not used), i.e. the return above the cost of production: is there any evidence of just how much this is, especially in terms of overall USPS revenues?

I'm just curious, not disputing your overall point.

well batman is planned to be the 2014 yearbook, so it must be ready to go.

as for Janis Joplin, it's a nice stamp and the back photo is cool.

"the "profit" from stamps bought for collecting (and not used), i.e. the return above the cost of production"

Not just the cost of production, but the cost of selling. Plus there is always thed possibility they still get used later.