New US Stamp Issue...um...issues

Is anyone else as annoyed as I am that you can't purchase a block of stamps any more? So many times, I want just a block of four stamps instead of an entire pane, like with the just released Arnold Palmer stamp. The local stamp club had their annual show last weekend, and there was a USPS rep there selling stamps. She was actually willing to sell partial panes and blocks on many issues. She wouldn't break up a Year of the Rat pane, for example, but I did get a number of other new and recent stamps from her in blocks of four. I hated it when I discovered that they removed the block of four option from ordering on the website.

There are a number of this year's stamps that are underwhelming. Not a lot of interesting topics for 2020, and I'm not a fan of a lot of the artwork. The more I dig into collecting older French stamps, the more I really miss engraved stamps. It just seems like a cop-out to use a photo for a stamp image. That goes for U.S. stamps, too. I miss the old engraved stamps we used to issue. And I miss air mail stamps, but that's another rant.

So, am I now officially an old guy yelling at the clouds? I mean...I'm only 57! lol

With you, all the way. That is why I do not do new issues any longer

Peter

A couple of the "you must be joking" 2020 stamps:




Credit to Miss Blagmire's third grade art class for this effort.

Exactly to my point, rogdcam, although the Halloween stamp was from last October. They all look like clip art. They make me go running to my U.S. binder to look over the half sheet of the 1929 George Rogers Clark stamp that resides there. Beautiful. They don't make 'em like that any more.

Yea, verily! Verily! Bring back engraved stamps!!!!

After putting on my white belt and white shoes, I vote YES on the original question.

I believe you can still order a block of 4 or 10 via phone. Have you tried that? Also, while not as convenient, I believe the ONECO, CT postmaster will sell you whatever quantity you desire.
Added: That said, I too am annoyed by the USPS trending towards LESS friendly customer service.

The general trend away from engraving or even decent design incorporating photos, coupled with cartoon commercialism, has me soured on 21st century US issues too.

But in another few years we might be nostalgic for that Halloween stamp -- what with those clean, crisp lines -- when we are confronted with a stamp featuring an animated GIF of an Olympic mascot doing the floss, if not a full-motion video clip featuring a Kardashian promoting whatever.

Oneco, Connecticut post office has a reputation of supporting stamp collectors with their current issue needs. Free shipping. Contact info is
Postmaster
1104 Plainfield Pike,
Oneco, CT 06373

860.564.5601

Don

Oh my yes, and please! Engravers were true artists/craftsmen.

So were old time watch makers with all their tiny chains and springs.

Miss you guys!

All of the would be modern engravers are tattoo artists now. Realistically though why bother using a time consuming human centric artistic process to create a utilitarian low value postage stamp when it is no linger the only tool in the arsenal. Early engraving was done out of necessity which perhaps transitioned into following accepted means and methods and then was dumped because there was no real reason for it anymore.