Non-Denominated US Stamps - Linn's Refresher Course

An interesting (updated) Linn's Referesher Course has just been posted explaining the various non-denominated stamps issued by the US Postal Service.

For the beginner collector, this may be a good resource to have at hand, so I post the link below:

http://linns.com/howto/refresher/20...rcourse.aspx

One particularly humorous comment is about the "honor system" that should be in place when using a Breast Cancer Research Semipostal Stamp from 1998:




I wonder how many (if any) people actually do this (adding 17-cents postage), as few probably remember when they even purchased the stamp(s) to begin with!

I printed the handy chart they provided, the main reason being that I do come across mint examples of these occasionally in postage lots and various mixtures, which I then use as postage. This will make it easier for me to track down the correct rate for some of them.

If you have the whole pane of the breast cancer stamp, you would have noticed that at the bottom selvage of the pane is a statement that says, in part: "Each stamp is valid for postage at the current First-Class rate."

This could well be interpreted to mean, literally, the current rate, whatever it is (not necessarily the 32 cents at the time it was issued. (Did the USPS ever announced definitively what exactly the "current rate" is referring to?)

In a sense, the breast cancer stamp could have been the precursor of the forever stamp concept.

I agree with Riderontherain: The added on value that is designated for Breast Cancer research has already been paid to that account upon purchase of the stamp. The USPS recognized this when first issued when as the postal rate increased the stamp itself remained at a constant issue price (this actually caused the contribution to decrease over time as postal rates went up). The only time that the cost of this semi-postal went up was when the Legislature renewed the obligation of the USPS to issue by vote. This action re-instated the need of the postage +contribution to a set level. I believe this stamp went off sale for a while because of this issue and was recently re-legislated to be issued by the House & Senate.

As a follow-up to my own post above, note that the reprinted pane of this stamp in 2000 has exactly the statement at the bottom selvage as the original pane in 1998, although the first class postal rate was higher in 2000 than in 1998.

Further, in any of the USPS quarterly catalogues in which the breast cancer stamp is listed for sale, there is always an accompanying note that says it is valued at the current first class rate.

Hence, I think there is little doubt that the breast cancer stamp can be treated as a forever stamp for mailing purposes.

P.S. I just noticed that the 2014 version of the stamp has a 2014 date, so it is not a reprint of the 1998 version, but rather a reissue.

I understand the stamps like the Eagle "D" stamp (US Scott No. 2111). However with forever stamps, they can't be serious that we are supposed to add postage to those? I'm afraid my honor system would have to receive a returned envelope saying "insufficient postage". Why call it a "forever" stamp? Why not call it a "forever within reason" stamp.


-IBFS

IBFS.. The 'FOREVER' stamp does not require additional postage added. It is accepted at the value of the current postage rate for 1oz pieces. That was the intent of the forever. If you purchased a holiday or Christmas forever stamp when postage was $ .46 they are now still valid for this seasons mailings at no additional cost. However if you needed to purchase holiday stamps today from the Stamp Center (or Post Office) you would pay the current $ .49 rate for each. Just as a note. When the FOREVER stamp first came out, someone bought up an large stock of them. Those stamps purchased at the then current rate are still valid for postage at the now current $ .49 rate without additional postage added to the mail piece. I think he bought these in the 5-digit total value.

Thanks eligies. Glad I just misunderstood. Very glad.


-IBFS

I think that there is continued confusion between 'non-denominated' issues and issues with the 'forever' in lieu of a $$ amount. The non-denominated would require additional postage if used today to make up the postage rate difference. Remember, all the non-denominated (including the A-H issues) were transitional period between rate changes. The non-denominated were issued without the rate so as to not hold up the published schedule of issue. The A-H stamps were issued after the rate determination and sold to supplement the stocks at local Post Offices while printing of new issues with new rates was undertaken. It can be confusing. The recently printed reference chart helps but there will be times when the confusions comes up again. (Now more with age then before.. from experience). Even the Postal clerks had a difficult time understanding the Forever issues in the beginning. I made a purchase of an issue that remained the same design but because of a rate increase should have cost .02 more. The clerk scanned the sheet, then scanned a comparable number of .02 stamps as a make up. Giving me both the Forever issue & the .02 items gave me an advantage. (The Forever sheet scanned in under the old rate (????) the clerk should have kept the .02 sheet.. it's high math).

The USPS Quick Service Guide 604a (just updated September 4, 2014) is also helpful in identifying the non-denominated postage amounts:

http://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals...00/q604a.pdf

Just bear in mind that stamps imprinted with "Non-Profit Org." or "Bulk Rate" or "Presort" or "Presorted First-Class" cannot be used without a special permit and even then the mail must be hand delivered to a postal clerk. Although the special permit is free for collectors, it is usually not beneficial to apply for unless you have a large enough need for using such stamps on your out-going mail.

Just last night I had to make use of that chart. I dug out a First-Class Flag stamp (value 41c) and a H make-up rate stamp (value 1c) to mail a bill payment. I used various Flora & Fauna 1c and 2c values to make up the remaining cost.

As I slipped the letter into the box, I was wondering if it will be returned to me for postage.

Regards, Robert