Mr. Zip Appearances

I started a similar thread on the main forum, but decided to start a topical here. I'd like to see everyone's Mr. ZIP appearances on stamp selvages. Apparently, he's more abundant than what I thought. Here's mine to start it off.

I've always liked this example because it's a relatively unusual format in a unusually narrow selvage ... besides, Mr. ZIP must be patriotic so the Register and Vote stamp seems most appropriate:

Here is an image of a margin block of four "Commercial Aviation" stamps featuring Mr. ZIP and the phrase "Use Zip Code." The stamp, depicting a Ford-Pullman monoplane and a Laird Swallow biplane in flight, was designed by American aviation artist Robert E. Cunningham (1929-1991), printed by photogravure, and issued by the USA on March 19, 1976 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first contract airmail flights, Scott No. 1684.

- nethryk

Interesting topic.




<edit> I think this Mr Zip had a little too much holiday punch.:)

Here's another variation, Just Mr. Zip's face on a SC 1276

(Apologies for somewhat hijacking this thread; it came up while I was searching for an answer to my question, and I wasn't sure if a separate thread would be necessary. If I should move this, please let me know.)

Let's say, hypothetically, that I want to focus on collecting Mr. Zip... is there a reference for all of the appearances and varieties, etc.? I understand that the Scott's Specialized Catalogue includes indications of which stamps Mr. Zip attached himself to. Does that just have sort-of secondary information, or would I be able to use that as a master reference?

Can I find a checklist somewhere? :P

ZIP Blocks generally exist on most US Stamps beginning from the Sam Houston Stamp of 1964 (Scott 1242) through to the "G" Stamp Definitive of 1994 (Scott 2882). The listings are all included in the Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps.

For further reading, consider these references:

http://www.edsmart.com/stamps/begin/zips.htm


http://www.linns.com/howto/refreshe...rcourse.aspx

Thanks for the links! I had seen those before, but I was glad to check them out again. I'm confused about something, though - I thought Mr. Zip was retired in 1986 (as it says in the Linn's link), but you (and the edsmart link) say he appeared through 1994. I wonder about the 8-year difference. Was the full Mr. Zip campaign ended in 1986 but the icon continued to appear on selvage until 1994?

I don't really collect Mr. ZIP blocks, but I suspect that the reference to the Mr. ZIP campaign ending in 1986 is accurate.

Subsequent issues through the 1994 "G" Stamps (Scott 2882) probably included the reference to "Use Correct ZIP Code" and did not include the Mr. ZIP cartoon character, as illustrated below:

Ahh, that makes sense. Does the Scott's Specialized Catalogue differentiate between Mr. Zip, Use Correct Zip Code, and other Zip-related markings?

No. The Scott Catalog refers to them as ZIP Blocks only, whether they consist of the words or the cartoon character or both. The Scott Catalog attempts to list values only; so it is inconsequential whether or not Mr. ZIP is pictured or not, as the values are not affected by it.

In general, yes, but not always. In the listings, Scott no longer differentiates whether Mr. Zip or text starting in the 1980s.

Also, Scott does not differentiate between the different Mr. Zip logos.

Hrmmm, is Scott the best reference available, though, for specifically collecting Mr. Zip? Surely there are other Mr. Zip collectors out there...

In the interest of keeping with the original intent of this thread, here are a few of my Mr. Zips. (Please forgive the quality as I have no scanner and only a marginal camera.)

I collect US Mr. Zip blocks as matched sets. I never inventoried, but I figure I have somewhere between 50%-75% of them.

As far as I know, there is no specialized catalog for them as they don't really have any premium associated with them. The listings in Scott have been sufficient for my needs.

If you have any specific questions about any particular Mr. Zip block, you can post the question or you can email me through SCF.

I also keep the Zip text blocks, although I usually don't actively buy them.

Another aside are the booklet labels and covers. "Zip" text appears as labels in some booklet panes and Mr. Zip also appears on some booklet covers.

Excellent! I'm sure I'll be bugging you. ;D