Mystery private collector is buzzing after spending nearly £500,000 on a stamp at antiques retailer Stanley Gibbons

Good news for those who invest in rare relics - the market for antiques is looking pretty lucrative after up-market collectible seller Stanley Gibbons sold a rare stamp for almost half a million pounds to a private collector.

The £495,000 stamp, a "Plate 77 Penny Red", is one of only five in the world of philately, including one in the British Museum.

http://www.cityam.com/236449/mystery-pr … ey-gibbons

U.S. Postal Service REDUCES Postage Rates for Regular Mail

On April 10, 2016, the U.S. Postal Service will reduce postage rates for regular mail — for the first time in 97 years.

Small businesses have become conditioned to hearing about postage rates going up. But, in a move called “historic” certain postage rates are being reduced.

The biggest news is that First-class mail will go down by two cents. The postage rate reductions affect letters, large envelopes or flats, and postcards. The reductions amount to more than four percent and are a result of removing the 2014 Exigent Surcharge.
How Much Will a Postage Stamp Cost?

Postage rate reductions include:

    First-class stamps —  47 cents  (old rate, 49 cents)
    Each additional ounce for letters —  21 cents (old rate, 22 cents)
    First-class metered mail (first ounce) — 46.5 cents (old rate, 48.5 cents)
    Postcards – 34 cents (old rate, 35 cents)
    Certified mail — $3.30 (old rate, $3.45)
    Media mail (1-pound piece) — $2.61 (old rate, $2.72)

For more detail about the postage rate reductions, including other categories of postage rates being reduced, see the USPS Excel spreadsheet.  Pitney Bowes also has created a concise rate chart you can view at a glance.
Implications of the Postage Rate Reduction

For small businesses that send direct mail pieces, invoices and other mail in large quantities, the postage rate reduction can add up to significant savings.

Of course, if you thought to save money by investing in “Forever Stamps,” the stamps that the Post Office has been selling since 2007,  you just lost out.  Still, in this world of spiraling prices, any postage rate reduction is welcome.

Despite the growth of cloud communications, USPS mail continues to be an important marketing channel as well as a delivery channel for small businesses.

“In this omni-channel world, mail remains a critical channel for businesses to reach existing customers and to engage prospects,” said Patrick Brand, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global SMB Products and Business Strategy, Pitney Bowes.

Brand went on to point out the importance of small business people educating themselves on new technologies that are “reinventing mail.”

“Businesses can now enhance physical mail pieces with digital experiences, create more interactive and targeted direct mail, and sequence communications across multiple channels to boost impact. Businesses of all sizes should take advantage of the savings by investing in new technology and services that optimize their mailing and shipping operations,” said Brand.

Brand added that businesses doing volume mailing can shave off even more savings by using a postage meter. Metered mail gets the advantage of a half-cent lower price.
Priority Mail Users – No Relief for You

Unfortunately, shipping rates for packages and Priority Mail are not being reduced at this time.

Many shipping rates were increased back in January 2016, sparking outrage from small business owners.  Some of the comments received on our earlier article about shipping rate increases are quite outspoken about the negative impact on small businesses.  One business owner, “Monica”, said in a comment on our earlier article, “International bubble mailer that cost 6.39 now costs 13.75! This will most likely kill our overseas customers buying from us.”

http://smallbiztrends.com/2016/04/posta … -usps.html

Postal Service Previews 10th of 16 Stamps Celebrating National Park Service’s Centennial
Stamp Highlights Haleakalā National Park

WASHINGTON — A stunning photograph of the late afternoon sun shining into a heavy rain storm, forming rainbows over the crater at Haleakalā National Park, Maui, HI, is the 10th of 16 Forever Stamp images to be revealed over a three-week period to celebrate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary.

Haleakalā National Park, HI
Haleakalā National Park vibrates with stories of ancient and modern Hawaiian culture and protects the bond between the land and its people. The park also cares for endangered species, some of which exist nowhere else. Come visit this special place — renew your spirit amid stark volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rain forest with an unforgettable hike through the backcountry. Visit this link for more information.

The Story Behind the Photo
The photograph is the work of Kevin Ebi, who lives near Seattle, WA. Following is his narrative of capturing the image:

“When you think of Hawaii, you probably imagine continuous summer, warm water and hot beaches. But a couple hours after landing on Maui, I was in the freezing cold, pelted by hail, surrounded by thunderclouds. For a few minutes at a time, the sun would briefly break through it, using rainbows as spotlights to illuminate Haleakalā’s volcanic cinder cones.

As a nature photographer, I was in heaven — or at least 10,000 feet closer to it.

Whether it’s because of the explosive growth of photography, or our need to take a break from our always-on, connected lives, our national parks are busier than ever. But for me, they can still be wondrous places of solitude. Such was the case that afternoon I spent chasing Haleakalā’s rainbows.

My day started as a scouting trip. Haleakalā is known for stunning sunrises. Getting that sunrise would require me to arrive at my shooting location while it was still dark. I decided to take a look at the crater during the day in order to determine where I wanted to be the next morning.

But the closer I got to Haleakalā’s summit, the less I could see. The fog got thicker and thicker. Then there was heavy rain. Then the rain turned to hail. I sprinted from the car into the visitor center, hoping to catch a bit of the view through the window. All I could make out was the railing of the viewing platform.

It quickly became clear that the storm wouldn't stop. The few visitors in the center sprinted to their cars. I decided to stay put.

Then something amazing happened. The hail turned into a light drizzle. Sunlight poked through a tiny hole in the ominous cloud. And a rainbow dipped into the crater.

I managed to get a few shots before the sun slid back behind the storm clouds and the pelting hail resumed. It was a beautiful scene. Much of Haleakalā’s beauty comes from its rainbow-colored rocks. The rainbow in the sky complemented that nicely.

But I hoped for better placement of the rainbow. In those first images it was off to the side of the crater. I knew that as the sun moved across the sky, weather permitting, rainbows later in the day would land closer to a core group of cinder cones that I found especially attractive. And so I waited.

During the hour and a half I spent on the rim, the storm gave me just six opportunities to photograph rainbows. My favorite image — and the one that is used on the stamp — was taken during the next-to-last ‘window.’ It was also the briefest opportunity. I was able to shoot only a single frame before the rainbow vanished.

Back in the car, with the heat and the de-fogger set on high, I was thankful for the experience even though I was soaked. In all of my work as a photographer, I treasure most the images that show nature at its dynamic finest. Braving an intense hailstorm is just part of the experience — a key part of the experience.

National parks take us into a different world, a world of jaw-dropping scenery and experiences that are dramatically different from our daily lives. This image of Haleakalā is both to me. And it’s why I’m so honored that it will help commemorate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.”

Other National Park Forever Stamps previewed to date include Acadia National Park, Arches National Park, Assateague Island National Seashore, Bandelier National Monument, Carlsbad Caverns National Park , Everglades National Park, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Grand Canyon National Park and Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The June 2 first-day-of-issue ceremony for the National Parks Forever Stamps pane will take place at New York City’s Javits Center at 11 a.m. as part of the world’s largest stamp show that only takes place once a decade, World Stamp Show-NY 2016. Dedication ceremonies will also take place at or near each of the National Parks depicted on the stamps. Individuals are asked to spread the news on social media by using the hashtags #NPSStamps, #FindYourPark or #NPS100.
World Stamp Show-NY 2016 will take place May 28–June 4. Held only once a decade, this mega event is not to be missed by beginners through advanced stamp collectors alike. There will be something for everyone there, no matter what you collect. Stamp collecting is a hobby for a lifetime. No matter what your specialty, you’ll find it at the show.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

# # #

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom.

Reporters interested in speaking with regional Postal Service public relations professionals should visit this link.

Follow us on twitter.com/USPS and like us at facebook.com/USPS. For more information about the Postal Service, visit usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.

http://about.usps.com/news/national-rel … 16_025.htm

Royal Mail to honour Bowie with 10 special stamps

“Somebody send me”

Royal Mail in the UK has announced it will issue a set of 10 Special Stamps (pictured) as a tribute to David Bowie in March.

Among the items being produced are the following:

    Set of 10 David Bowie Special Stamps (6 album covers and 4 live shots)

    Presentation Pack

    First Day Cover - Stamps

    First Day Cover - Stamp Sheet

    The Berlin Years Souvenir Cover

    Album Art Fan Sheet

    "Heroes" Framed Stamp and Print

http://www.davidbowie.com/news/royal-ma … amps-56731

BrexitStamps: The sarcastic commemorative Brexit stamps of Twitter

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Lithuanian Scouts. A bright stamp introduced by Lithuania Post

"It is very important for all scouts in Lithuania and abroad that the postage stamp on the occasion of the centenary of the Scout Movement was issued. This is an opportunity not only for scouts and collectors to acquire a postage stamp, but also for the public to become more familiar with the movement of scouts, its meaning and activities” - said Ieva Brogienė, a Lithuanian scout director.

Lithuanian scout is a social, voluntary, non-political organization. It is open to all people of Lithuania irrespective of their race, nationality, religion, gender or social status. Lithuanian scouts seek to educate young people, to help them express their physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, responsible citizens and members of their local, national and international community.

The Lithuanian Scout movement began in Vilnius in 1918. For a century, thousands of young Lithuanians in Australia, Europe, North America and South America have participated in various scouting programs. This scouting tradition continues today, encouraging principled citizenship and leadership skills in local communities and within Lithuanian organizations.

The unique pane of 100 Columbian stamps is offered by Gaertner. The rarity is to fetch more than $699,777

Germany’s Christoph Gaertner auction firm is to hold its full international auction in Prague. It is the first time the firm has conducted a public sale in the Czech Republic. The auction will take place at the Clarion Congress Hotel on Aug. 16-17.  It will offer much philatelic material from all countries and one of the brightest lots that is to be sold during this sale is a newly discovered pane of 100 of the $2.00 Columbian stamps of 1893.

This is by far the largest known multiply of the first American commemorative series issued on January 1, 1893. The pane is considered by many as an awesome rarity of the highest order that no one knew existed until 2016. No one knows who originally bought this pane of Columbians in 1893 and why it was quietly stored away for the last 114 years. But it was finally discovered and it is now one of the most desired philatelic items in the world. Prior to the discovery of this pane, the largest known multiple of the $2.00 Columbian issue was a block of 22. The second known largest multiple is a block of twenty.

The auction house commented on this lot: “all stamps have stunning, gorgeous color and sharp proof-like printed impressions plus perfectly and beautifully preserved Mint Never Hinged gum in its pristine original state as when sold over a post office counter over 114 years ago, featuring two plate blocks at top and ten to fifteen potential Extremely Fine to Superb Gems”.

The pane of 100 of the $2.00 Columbian stamps of 1893 is offered by Christoph Gaertner auction with a starting price of €600,000 (or roughly $699,777).

Observe NASA’s Apollo 11 Mission’s 50th Anniversary with USPS Stamps

On Wednesday, in honour of the 50th anniversary since the first moon landing, the US Postal Service (USPS) revealed its two new stamp designs for their ‘Forever’ collection about the Apollo 11 mission.

USPS on Wednesday even stated that through the two new stamps they are going to observe the lunar landing mission of Apollo 11 by astronauts like Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin in 1969. In fact, the stamps are going to celebrate a notable milestone.

Designed by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá, one stamp features the famous picture of Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin in his spacesuit on the lunar surface; whereas the other stamp displays a photograph of the moon showing the landing site of Apollo 11’s “Eagle” lunar module in the Sea of Tranquility.

The first picture of Aldrin was taken by fellow astronaut Armstrong, whose reflection could be seen in Aldrin’s spacesuit helmet’s visor. The second photo of the moon was taken in 2010 by Alabama-based amateur astronomer Gregory Revera.

However, it’s still unclear when the stamps would be issued. The US Postal Service states that further details would be provided later on, which includes the time and location of the stamp-issue ceremony.

Sharply after Apollo 11, the U.S. Postal Service issued a $0.10 stamp in 1969 featuring a graphic of an astronaut touching down on the surface of the moon with the Earth in the background. Later on, for the 25th anniversary, a “First Moon Landing” stamp was issued which pictured an astronaut holding the American flag and saluting. For space historians and coin collectors alike, the US Mint has also revealed a limited edition coin depicting the image of Aldrin’s boot print on the moon.

http://www.theneolife.com/observe-nasas … ps-stamps/

Почта Швейцарии  выпустили марки Коронавирус - COVID-19

COVID-19 Solidarity
Joining forces for Switzerland. Help us to help others!

The “COVID-19 Solidarity” stamp reflects Swiss Post's commitment to the cohesion of our society. Proceeds will go to Swiss Solidarity and the Swiss Red Cross. It is a way for you to support those in urgent need of help.

Sheetlet of 10 stamps

Every day, countless staff at Swiss Post work to ensure the provision of essential services. Swiss Post is issuing a stamp to promote solidarity during the coronavirus crisis. All proceeds from sales of the stamps will be split between Swiss Solidarity and the Swiss Red Cross.

The stamp was created at very short notice and designed by Berne-based studio Nulleins Kommunikationsdesign. The graphic design professionals designed the stamp at a safe distance from their home offices.

The stamp symbolizes solidarity during the coronavirus pandemic: with Switzerland at the center, while the rotated cross reveals a shining globe.

It will only cost the surcharge of 500 cents per stamp, while Swiss Post will bear the face value of 100 cents.

Help us to help others! By purchasing these stamps, you are showing solidarity together with Swiss Post: you donate 50 francs, while Swiss Post gives you stamps worth 10 francs.

The stamps are available as a 10-stamp sheet for 50 francs at postshop.ch or can be ordered via the telephone number: 0848 66 55 44.

https://www.post.ch/en/pages/corona