Helen Keller returns to nonprofit’s business reply envelopes
Almost exactly one year ago, I wrote about a business reply envelope that I’d received from Helen Keller International. The envelope had two preprinted stamp-sized designs picturing the nonprofit’s eponym.
Earlier this week, I received another mailing from the organization, and it contained another BRE that reuses the imagery from last year’s mailing.
Helen Keller International business reply envelope
The images on this year’s business reply envelope are not exactly the same as those on last year’s envelope, however. Last year, one of the images bore the text “Happy Birthday,” and the other read “Helen Keller.” In contrast, the images on the envelope I received this week include no text at all.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned the March 1 launch of a new local post in New South Wales, Australia: Bermagui Local Post, operated by one Miro J. New local posts don’t pop up every day, so I’m always happy to welcome a new entrant in that quarter of our hobby.
On June 15, Bermagui Local Post issued its second set of stamps, a strip of three designs picturing birds. The stamps were issued in 20¢, 40¢, and 80¢ values.
Bermagui Local Post bird stamps
The cancellations used on this postcard appear to be based on the design of the new 80¢ stamp.
I’m no ornithologist, so I can’t tell you what each of the birds pictured is. Perhaps one of my faithful readers can help us out?
American Indian rides along with Buffalo Bill Cody
It was only a month ago that I posted my writeup of a commercial solo use of the 14¢ American Indian stamp on a “souvenir cocoanut” mailing label from the 1920s. Interestingly enough, I just acquired another example of the stamp doing solo duty, this one on an entirely philatelic cover.
The envelope postmarked in Golden, Colorado, in February 1935 features a cachet commemorating the 90th anniversary of Buffalo Bill Cody’s birth.
14¢ American Indian cover with Buffalo Bill Cody cachet
While the subjects of most contrived covers bearing the 14¢ American Indian stamp have little to no relation to the subject of the stamp, Hollow Horn Bear, there is an indirect connection between Hollow Horn Bear and Buffalo Bill Cody, and you’ve probably heard of that connection: George Armstrong Custer. I explain in greater detail in my writeup on the Buffalo Bill cover.
My 14¢ American Indian collection now contains nearly 20 solo use examples of the stamp on cover, parcel tag, or label, with roughly half of them being commercial in nature and the other half (including first day covers) being philatelic in nature. We’ll see how many more I can track down!
Bat’s Private Post celebrates Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II this year is celebrating her platinum jubilee, and Bat’s Private Post in Beverly Hills, California, is honoring the British monarch with a set of five commemorative local post stamps issued May 2, 2022.
The 5¢, 63¢, and $1.35 stamps picture Queen Elizabeth at different stages of her life. The 10¢ stamp pictures the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, and the $5 stamp pictures the flag of the state of California with a miniaturized version of Queen Elizabeth’s personal standard near the upper right corner of the flag.
Bat’s Private Post Platinum Jubilee stamps
All five stamps were released both perforated and imperforate (with printed pseudo-perforations).
For more information about the Platinum Jubilee stamps, you can write to:
Bat’s Private Post
PO Box 11175
Beverly Hills CA 90213-4175
United States of America
Philosateleian Post celebrates opening of new post office
In early May, Philosateleian Post relocated its base of operations from San Antonio, Texas, to a newly-built facility in Floresville, Texas. On Monday, July 18, the Texas-based private local post is scheduled to issue a new stamp picturing and commemorating the opening of its new post office.
Philosateleian Post New Post Office stamp
The 1-stamp stamp’s vignette features a view of the front of the stucture in green, while the stamp’s frame is being printed in a dark gray.
“We are very excited to have moved into our new home,” says Philosateleian Post’s proprietor, Kevin Blackston. “Our new office features a larger surface area for mail processing than our previous facility did, and I’m pleased to be continuing Philosateleian Post’s operations here in the Floresville area.”
The new post office, which measures just over 1,100 square feet in size, boasts a metal roof. In addition to housing Philosateleian Post’s mail operations, the building features a full kitchen, restroom facilities, and sleeping quarters for staff. It is affectionately known to its occupants as The Green House and La Casa Verde.
In addition to Floresville and San Antonio, Texas, Philosateleian Post previously operated in Jacksonville, Florida, and Valdosta, Georgia.
Technical Specifications
Format: sheets of 55. Design size: 36×21 mm. Separation method: perforated 12. Adhesive: water-activated dry gum. Printing method: inkjet.
Philatelic Services
To receive a mint single of Philosateleian Post’s New Post Office stamp, or for first day cover service, send either $2 or a self-addressed stamped envelope and your request to:
Kevin Blackston
Philosateleian Post
PO Box 217
Floresville TX 78114-0217
United States of America
