Large Envelope USPS Handling

How does USPS handle/process First Class large envelopes (9x12, 10x13)? If one were to place a new sealed stamp sheet that comes with thin piece of cardboard into a large non padded envelope, with no other protection, what is the probability of that sheet arriving to its destination undamaged? When I ask auction site sellers how they will ship a sealed sheet, they usually reply indicating a large envelope with no additional protection. If the large envelope became a First Class Package, would it be handled differently by USPS?

Via automation and yes still damageable. 1st class packages can be damaged as well.

If you want you sheet to arrive undamaged, have the seller package the sheet as described then place the envelope in a large big enough flat rate priority box. Of course you will need to be sure to offer to pay for the higher postage costs. Judging from the number of posts you have made about mailing of stamp panes and the damages, this would be the way to go.

PPG: Automation meaning through the same sorting machines regular letters go through? Does the thin cardboard of a new sealed sheet become a problem for those machines vs a large envelope containing 6 pages of 8 1/2 by 11 inch copy paper?

Here is an example of a situation I have found myself in trying to fill a one issue (sheet) gap in a themed collection. Seller A has the one sheet I am looking for that's new in USPS sealed cardboard for double the FV of the sheet I need. Seller mentions they will place in large manila envelope and mail USPS First Class Large envelope. Seller B has the one sheet I am looking for in unsealed but excellent condition as part of a bundle with other sheets all for FV including USPS FC Package and seller indicates they ship between two pieces of cardboard.

So to make up some numbers. If the one sheet I am interested in has a FV of $12.60 and seller A has it for sale for $25, but seller B has the sheet I am interested in along with three others in a bundle for the exact face value of $50.40, it becomes a dilemna.

I'd go for seller B. If it does become damaged, just use 'em for postage and try again with seller A. You can also ask if the seller is willing to go for extra cardboard protection, especially if you offer another $1 or two for supplies and extra postage.

Amazingly I have had sheets or covers shipped in manila envelopes with little protection and they make it all the way across the country undamaged, only to arrive folded in half by the carrier trying to fit it in the mailbox rolled in with a bunch of magazines rather than keeping it flat, like it says DO NOT BEND.

I have had better luck with manila envelopes staying flat because they are shipped together with other "flats", rather than bubblewrap mailers that often get tossed around and damaged between other oddly shaped packages.

The flats (large envelope) are not to be rigid nor over over 1/4 inch thick. I do believe they go on different mechanisms than letter sized items which is why the cancellations look different between most flats and most letters.

You can still ask the seller to put stuff into a medium 11" x 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Inside
11-1/4" x 8-3/4" x 6" Outside flat rate box. (That is what I meant when I said large, I meant big.-- I edited the text in that post for clarity.) It really depends on what sheets/panes you are getting.

That said, you can ask the seller with the "extra" stamps to use those for postage on the priority box.

For what is worth, I am doing that with my purchases from Ukraine, I am paying for certain stamps and asking that they be used on my mailing. Some sellers are doing that for free. The stamps I am asking to be used are current ones that fit into one of my topical collecting areas.

PPG: Thank you for the suggestion. The sheet I am interested in has the same image on all 20 stamps. Plate blocks of this issue are also priced at double FV. Since there is the same image on all the stamps, do you think in this situation, buying a plate block of 4 might be better financially? The percent premium is the same, but the $ amount expended is less.

Paperboard mailers - typically meant for shipping photos - are pretty rigid and work pretty well, in my experience. No method is 100% foolproof, but they probably offer the best balance of light weight with good rigidity/protection. They would need to ship as a first class package, which costs more than the regular rate for "flats" but would still save a few bucks over priority mail.

Torin, catalog for US has always been about 2x, double face for new issues. Your 20 stamp sheets will fit into a smaller container since they are not as large as the regular size 50 stamp panes.





I don't look at new issues financially and any pane of 20 stamps is a new issue for this purpose. However, I really don't see plate blocks of 4 trading much as compared to the full sheet of 20 when the images are the same. I think, as in my guess, that with the many multi design 20 stamps panes, just having a block of 4 from a 20-same pane breaks the flow. So I think most folks would want the full 20 pane.

Now as to what to do financially, only get forever stamps as they increase in value every time postage rates increase.

Even the current $5 and greater face value stamps may take a long time, read a decade or more, to begin normally selling for much over face such that they can be sold over face. Plus if there were expenses, shipping or sales tax that means you need to sell at an even higher price to break even. What will be worth much more later are the $5 and over denomination properly used on cover in the correct time period. Next are the over $5 stamps clean used with a proper contemporary use dated cancel. This does not mean a $10.35 express eagle postmarked 2022. Those items are scarce.

PPG: The OOP but not rare few years old sheet of 20 or plate block of 4 I am interested in with the same image on each stamp are Forever stamps. Forever stamps are getting expensive to buy even at FV from the USPS in full sheets,. If high inflation persists, will the average collector in the future be able to afford 2x FV for a sheet of 20 Forever stamps when they become OOP or will they gravitate to plate blocks of 4 at twice FV?