2018 USPS Issues... News? Thoughts? Opinions?

With this continual issuing stamps that a full pane must be purchased (no singles) by USPS (other countries as well) I am coming close to stopping my US National collection future(modern) issues after 65 yrs. of collecting, loosing most of it during Katrina and beginning again after. Come on, - John Lennon, one stamp, five colors! It is costing way too much each year to keep up to date with not much to show. Years ago, the US post office took pride in their issues, or at least the collector had pride in owning the stamps. Now, most are mere expensive labels.

They definitely are not making them easy to collect. It started with self-adhesives forcing you to buy full panes and subject matter that is more pop culture.

If they were available in smaller quantities, the total cost would be quite reasonable for anyone. Part of the issue is the aspect of mounting. Now, a modern collection will have numerous full page sheets and stamp mounts add additional cost.

I find myself in agreement with acanalizo. There are many on this forum who have stopped collecting modern US stamps in recent years. There is an excellent chance that I will join their ranks at the end of this year, partly due to the plethora of different stamps being issued & partly due to my age. One must stop at some point, either by choice or by act of nature.

I never started collecting booklets and gave up collecting US commemorative stampss when the self-adhesive craze began. I also don't like most of the designs, nor do I think there is any valid reason to put out so many different designs of the same face value.

I still collect the definitives, especially the high-dollar value items like Priority Mail and PM Express issues. That way, my heirs won't face ungodly high costs to fill in those spaces later.

My U.S. collection stops at 2005. Any U.S stamps in my collection after that are either panes or booklets that interest me topically. This year I think John Lennon will be the only one; I'll also buy at least two additional panes for postage. I still need to get a pane of last year's Disney Villains, too; I'll order that at the same time.

Speaking of limited issues, read in Linn's about the limited Souvenir Sheet of 3 of the Art of Magic stamps printed on lenticular paper to give the 3D illusion of a Disappearing Rabbit from a Hat. Only available via order from the Cave in KC. Hoping since it was released today along with the regular pane of 20 non-3D stamps that maybe the PO will have some at Stampshow this weekend here in Columbus. Fingers Crossed.

I heard they did have some at the show, sold out, were trying to get more, not sure if they did

Year 2018 is the 80th Anniversary of Superman. USPS has issued some DC Superheroes stamps (Batman, Wonder Woman) for the past couple of years. I am hoping they will release Superman stamps this year.

I think one superman stamp would be ok but not another sheet of different designs.

2018 Madonna & Child - Christmas
Banknote Plate Number B11111
Micro-Print USPS on baby's knee.

A Source for Plate Blocks, so you do not have to buy 20.

Postmaster 1104 Plainfield Pike ONECO CT 06373-9998.

Be Specific in your order, such as Plate-Block of 4 with plate number & selvage. ( PB#-4 ) or Top/Bottom 8 ( or 10 ) stamps from a pane of 20, with selvage and plate number(s). If he Can, he Will split a pane. On Coils of 3K/10K, he will sell you a plate-number strip. He can't do this on smaller coils. ( 100 )

No Internet, No Plastic. Mail him your inquiries, or orders with Check-M/O. No S/H fee, sent to you via Priority Mail, with a postage-paid envelope for your next order.

He keeps an inventory, and will mail you a copy on request. ( post card )

I hope this helps.

Fortunately, USPS Has Forever versions of First Class First Ounce, Two Ounce, Three Ounce, Additional Ounce, and Postcard stamps. In 2018
it paid to use these. 2019 says maybe an increase on the First Ounce, but additional, and therefore 2nd & 3rd, ounce stamps will Decrease.
( additional down from 21 to 15 cents ) Parcels will now be ZONED, similar to Priority.
So if you have plans to buy additional ounce stamps, wait until After 28 JAN 2019.

As wasteful as it is, I like the Coca Cola Santa sheet! Always liked the quality of the Coke Santa artwork, but it is also nice to be able to get something a little different that only costs .50. I already used one on an ebay package!

Nells, I like the "Coke Santas" as well, but found out not to ask for them by that name. The foolish clerk almost refused to sell them to me!
By the way, our post office does not have the international Christmas stamps yet, but I found them at a very small post office close by. They are very attractive as well.

Peter

Obviously, the clerk is a Pepsi fanatic.