2023 US Stamp Designs Announced

Well, at least that would foil all the Chinese forgers who would keep putting Xi on the stamp by mistake.

Well, he is supposed to be a father figure........

Can anyone explain more clearly the intended purpose of the 40c Fox stamp? Was a new rate category created, or something? There don't seem to be any currently available stamps in this denomination, so if it's for "bulk mailers of...circulars, newsletters, and catalogs", then what stamps have those mailers been using prior to the Fox issue? I feel like I'm missing something here.

According to USPS:
"the stamp is intended for use by bulk mailers for items such as circulars, newsletters and catalogs. It can also be used by customers who enjoy using a variety of stamps on their envelopes and packages."

This seems like a new special rate class to me. The USPS issued the occasional 3 ounce rate stamps in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2021.

You have to go back to the Great Americans series in 1984 to find a 40¢ stamp (Scott #1868), issued Feb 24,1984.

EDIT: Oops. 1994 40¢ (#2835) I was only looking at regular issues. Mea culpa. Thanks, Rod222.

The 40c Values in my collection

Right, but (to use your example) 3-ounce stamps have been issued regularly since the 56c Harvard (#2190) in 1986, so by now it's not too surprising when a new one appears every few years. This 40c Fox (denominated, no less!) really looks like something new. Which is why I'm puzzled by the way the USPS description makes it sound so routine.

There are nondenominated Bulk Rate stamps, but those have values much less than 40c, so the Fox stamp presumably isn't a replacement for them. *Is* there a new rate class that explains this strange new stamp?

yes, it is a bit of a head scratcher, but there is no new rate class that it is being issued for

It will help people use up some old smaller values to make a first class rate.

"False franking."

at least until they got to 13

Don't confuse the issue with facts.......

Torin

I spread out my purchases with some I get as soon as it is issued and others I wait. I use USPS and the philatelic desk at the Oneco, CT post office. More the latter as they are flexible about orders for pncs. Also, nice to know someone will be fastidious getting a row or portion of stamp originally issued on a pane (many post offices will say they are selling only full panes of 20 for commemoratives!!!).

AS for the 40 cent Red Fox --- as mentioned in other posts it seems bulk mailers find thy get better response from recipients if return mail is posted with stamps. Linn's had an article about this - https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamp...ed-fox-stamp

And I use the low denomination stamps for my postcards - both domestic and international so it would be nice to have some 40 cent stamps. I have found that aside from of the older issues from the late 30's through early 89's, the Fruit and American Design stamps are quite liked by postcard recipients. So there will be a little boost of demand for them from postcrossers.

The 40 cent stamp does seem to undermine the raison d'etre of Forever stamps but then again it may not. For example, the cost of sending a large envelope starts at $1.20. So one could use a 40 cent stamps if the large envelope requires more postage. But then again it would seem to duplicate somewhat the reason for the 2 and 3 ounce stamps.



As for the quality of the stamp issues I disagree that quality has gone down. I think there are some beautiful designs but, as with every year, there are some mediocre designs.

PS. Torin -- I forgot to include in my USPS list the souvenir sheet of duck stamps and the Duck Stamp Artist Commemorative card which offers two duck stamps and a cancelled stamp along with a Certificate of Appreciation. It is at heart an elaborate first day cover but it offers the current year duck stamp and one from a prior year (it seems one from 1 or 2 years ago). The Stamp Artist Certificate of Appreciation is only offered for about 9 months on the USPS site - https://store.usps.com/store/produc...ard-S_542225

Chris-

Thanks for the Linn's link! So while the 40c Fox is being introduced at the request of bulk mailers, there isn't actually a 40c rate. The denomination is just chosen to fill the gap between the 10c and $1 values, to make it easier to use multiple stamps to make up the first-class rate.

Personally I don't think I've ever received a bulk-mail solicitation that had a prepaid reply envelope franked with multiple stamps. But assuming someone is actually using such things, I'm sure they'll be appreciative of the ability to make up a 63c rate with four stamps rather than seven....

I knew that the bulk mailers get a better response by using stamps rather than metered postage, but I'm surprised to learn that they get a better response using multiple stamps rather than one Forever stamp. Shows what I know!

Can't wait to see Chief Standing Bear. I'm always looking for something to add to my Native American Collection.