The article was interestng, but as an observation, "First Value Forerunners" means nothing to me as a thread title or an article title. The article is about a special type of CVP, so "CVP" should feature prominently in the title.
Obviously a very esoteric collecting focus. Not only should the title say "CVP" the term "Value Forerunner" needs to be explained for the hordes of us who have never heard the term before. And after figuring out what it means, it is even more esoteric. (From what I understand, the term refers to an instance where a private firm issued postage in a specific value before the USPS did. Apparently this has only happened twice, in connection with the same effort to develop private vending of computer postage. I can see this being of some interest to those interested in CVP. I also don't see it being much different than when regular postage stamps are found used/cancelled prior to the official day of usage. But maybe there's more to it than I realize.)
The title is appropriate as stated. It applies to both U.S non-CVP and U.S CVP issues.
As being the first instance in U.S. Postal Service history, I would expect U.S. collectors to be unfamiliar with the term "forerunner". However, the term is known and documented by world stamp collectors. Please Google the term "forerunner stamp" and you will see non-U.S. examples (and explanations).
The onset of the USPS providing authorization to CVP vendors to print on-demand postage enabled this "fixed value forerunner" occurrence.
The term "fixed value" provides a more precise description as Neopost USA was the only CVP vendor authorized to produce $3.85 and $13.65 fixed value stamps during the APC evaluation period. The other CVP vendor(s) were producing variable value stamps under USPS authorization.
The information was presented to make collectors aware that USPS use of CVP vendors will continue to trigger a "fixed value forerunner" occurrence if certain precautions acted upon. If fact, the reference source identified at the wordpress website, had identified a 2nd "fixed value forerunner" occurrence with a different CVP vendor at another postal rate increase.
Created this video based on one of my previous exhibit entry. Video was made quickly and I see a few leveling issues (visual and audio edits required).
Click the YouTube button to get the video to play in full-screen mode.
I disagree that the use of "forerunner" in this article and video is correct. The established meaning of the term refers to stamps that preceded the first official issues of a country or jurisdiction. For the United States, the postmasters' provisionals that preceded the official 1847 issue could be considered forerunners. However, the term is not used in mainstream philately for the situation you are describing in which authorized private printings occurred before a later official printing, yet long after the first stamp of the country appeared. You are describing authorized private provisional printings, nothing more. At best, you are overloading the term, that is, ascribing a new meaning that relates to an analogous but different situation than for the original meaning.
Source information is leverage from Americover 2007 Gold winner (also won Gold Curtis B. Patterson Award and AAPE Novice Award). Review the pages where CVP52 and CVP53 are identified. Note that the Meter Stamp Society provides these links.
This same individual has also published articles relating to these value forerunners in U.S. Stamp News. Locate the link: Neopost Computer Vended Postage First Day Stamps & Cover http://www.efocc.org/Resources/Ryskamp/main.php
Quote: 1. The most important regular denominated United States stamps ever issued, the great "forerunner" stamps, varieties h4-h4a and h7-h7b and b8-b8a and b9-b9a. The Neopost $3.85 and $13.65 stamps issued before July 30, 2002, are the first stamps ever issued in the United States before the USPS issued stamps itself for the same denominations. Issued beginning June 30 through July 29, there are, from both kiosks, 33 mint $3.85 stamps and 21 on first day cover. There are 44 mint $13.65 stamps and 22 on first day cover. With the exception of a single philatelic usage, the first day covers are the only usages before July 30.
The USPS Express mail cover in the video (last item) is the item reference as
Quote: ...With the exception of a single philatelic usage, the first day covers are the only usages before July 30
Quote: 198. $2500. Variety b9a sequence of three 13.65 sets, except stamp is missing on first sheet. Forerunner. Superb.
There is a variety b9a philatelic usage usage on cover dated July 15 (cancel barely missed stamp); this is the only example of a regular denominated $13.65 stamp on cover, apart from the first day covers, before the United States issued its own $13.65 stamp on July 30--one of the greatest of the Neopost covers. The correction was made on variety b9b which, however, shows M missing. There are four $13.65 "sets."
I stand by my comment. All the citations are recent and overload the term, departing from its accepted international meaning. They appear to be attempts to increase the importance and value of a mundane item by adding a fancy label. In my opinion.
Not to start any food fights, but are we permitted to use the terms "ATM postage" and "CVP postage" interchangeably, or are we expected to know better?
Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Stamp Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Stamp Community Family - All rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Stamp Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited. Privacy Policy / Terms of UseAdvertise Here
Posted 09/06/2015 10:03 pm
