The ultimate in re-issue for July 4, 2026 -- the Bicentennial Souvenir Sheets of 1976 issued May 29, 1976, five stamps in each of the four sheets, then with water-activated gum and perforated in denominations of 13c, 18c, 24c and 31c respectively. Production problems led to printing the "USA" and denomination also in gravure (in almost unreadable colors that, as of today seem to disappear and lead to
ebay listings of "color omitted" errors). The initial specs were to use intaglio (engraved) for those elements, much like the "white" ink of the 6c HemisFair '68 (Scott 1340) issue (and later, the white ink of the 22c Lace stamps quartet).
Since the USPS would issue these in 2026 (as it did those of 1976) for collectors to "save" and not postally use, it would be neat to have the re-issues as die-cut with straight lines so the view of the paintings would be less obstructed as the 1976 ones were with holes around the stamps. Yet collectors could still use the stamps as postage (much for conveniently than trying to remove the 1976 perforated ones).
Last detail, fun with settling on the denominations for 50 years later: How about "Postcard", "Forever", choice of "Additional Ounce" or "Two Ounces" or "Three Ounces" or "Nonmachinable", and fourth "Global" respectively for the four paintings. (If we were a "sand dune" or "communist bloc" state or otherwise a nation deriving much of its income from stamp collectors, we could select more paintings for additional sheets to cover all the choices above, or similar.)
Posted 08/27/2025 9:25 pm
