If you live in Florida or plan to be in the Orlando area next weekend, you may want to check out SUNPEX 2015. According to a post card I received in the mail yesterday, the show being held on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7, will feature 20 frames of exhibits and 15 different dealers.
For more information, including directions, visit FloridaStampShows.com and go to the “Shows” page.
Although most private local posts have their own stamps, Philosateleian Post being among them, it seems a little less common to run across a micronation with its own “postage.” Even less common still is a micronation that has existed for nearly 30 years, but is only now getting around to issuing its first stamps.
Such a description, however, fits the Aerican Empire. The brainchild of Eric L., the project claims territory on Earth, Mars, and even an imaginary planet or two. Considering that its lands on Earth are generally recognized as belonging to existing countries, and its lands on other planets are generally inaccessible—or, in the case of imaginary planets, non-existent—we can only conclude that the participants don’t take themselves too seriously.
But back to stamps. The Aerican Empire in April issued its first stamps, which picture the Aerican flag. Victor M., who was involved in the production of the stamps, was kind enough to send a cover bearing one of the new stamps.
Here’s a closeup of the stamp itself.
This cover is a delightful example of the intersection of local posts and micronations. You can have either without the other, but having both in one place is quite nice indeed!
In his mailing, Victor also included an Aerican postcard and a couple of CTO copies of the new stamp. I don’t want to hog all the goodies for myself, so…if you’re the first reader to comment here and say you would like an Aerican Empire stamp, I’ll send one of the CTO copies to you at no charge. (And after commenting, please be sure to send your address to me so I know where to send the stamp.)
As a stamp collector, I’m always happy to see the hobby represented in a positive fashion in mainstream media. That includes advertising such as a flyer I received in the mail today from local eatery Buca di Beppo.
As you can see, the fantasy stamp pictured in Buca di Beppo’s ad pictures the Leaning Tower of Pisa, which appears to be leaning because of a giant Buca sign attached to its side. The illustration even has small text below the stamp’s main design; on real stamps, that feature allows for the designer or printer to be credited, and it is common on stamps from many different countries. It’s not something I’m accustomed to seeing in advertising, however, and it’s a nice touch that gives Buca di Beppo’s “stamp” a more realistic look.
Have you seen any stamps, real or pretend, in non-philatelic settings recently? Leave a comment and let us know!
The man who directed one of the most critically acclaimed movies of all time, and who (at least according to some accounts) through a radio broadcast sparked fears of an alien invasion, is the subject of the newest stamp from New Hampshire’s Purgatory Post.
Orson Welles may be best known for producing the film Citizen Kane, but he was also an actor, writer, and radio producer, creating a fictitious radio news broadcast based on H.G. Wells᾿ The War of the Worlds that was so realistic that some listeners allegedly thought Earth was actually being invaded by aliens.
Welles died in 1985. Had he still been living, he would have turned 100 years old earlier this month.
On April 1, the United States Postal Service issued its “From Me to You” stamp to celebrate National Card & Letter Writing Month. Due to an unexplained decision made during the design approval process, however, the stamp was issued with no design.
Okay, okay, I’m probably being too harsh. I mean, the four words that make up the “design” of this stamp are in different sizes and colors. The 1991 “F” rate makeup stamp, stuck with a single font size and color, was arguably even less visually interesting.
On the other hand, that “F” rate stamp did have a border, so maybe it wasn't so terrible after all.
Granted, my negative opinion of the “From Me to You” stamp is hardly universal. When the Letter Writers Alliance blog covered the release of the stamp, comments were very positive overall. And my sister likes the stamp, too, so maybe my dislike of it is just my curmudgeonly old man side showing its face.
What do you think of the “From Me to You” stamp?