Nineteen Eighty-Four fantasy stamps tip of cap to 2+2
In October 2020, I prepared for my own entertainment a fantasy stamp inspired by George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. That stamp featured three slogans that the book described as prominent on the side of the Ministry of Truth: War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength.
Another well-known motif from Nineteen Eighty-Four is the idea that the totalitarian government in charge of Oceania, with its complete control over everything, could make a falsehood true simply by declaring it.
In the end the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it.
…
“You are a slow learner, Winston,” said O’Brien gently.
“How can I help it?” he blubbered. “How can I help seeing what is in front of my eyes? Two and two are four.”
“Sometimes, Winston. Sometimes they are five. Sometimes they are three. Sometimes they are all of them at once.”
With those two passages in mind, I’ve designed a block of nine additional fantasy stamps, each of which features one of three formulas: 2+2=3, 2+2=4, or 2+2=5.
Oceania “2+2” fantasy stamps
As with my earlier Oceania stamp, I have no intentions of trying to market or sell these stamps since Ninety Eighty-Four will still be under copyright protection in the United States for some time to come. Consider them to be fan art, a tip of my cap to the fact that there are absolutes, things that are true no matter what anyone else says.
New Hampshire-based Purgatory Post on April 6 issued the newest stamp in its series of stamps depicting covered bridges. The 16-sola design pictures Cilleyville Bridge in Andover, New Hampshire.
Purgatory Post Cilleyville Bridge stamp
The 53′ long structure was built in 1887 and spans Pleasant Brook. The bridge is known for having a slight tilt; according to Purgatory Post operator Scott A., local legend is that two of the carpenters who helped build the bridge intentionally cut some timbers short after getting upset with the man in charge of the project. A less amusing explanation is that the tilt is a result of the bridge’s underlying design.
According to a New Hampshire state website, Cilleyville Bridge was originally known as Bog Bridge, while another nearby span over the Blackwater River was named Cilleyville Bridge; however, after that structure was dismantled in 1908, the bridge that still stands today inherited the original bridge’s name.
The state of New Hampshire has several dozen covered bridges, so we can expect this set of Purgatory Post stamps to continue for some time to come.
Bat’s Private Post issues Cosmopolitan Hotel postal card
Bat’s Private Post of California in late March issued a new 41¢ postal card picturing the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Old Town San Diego. The front of the card features a color photo of the hotel itself, while the reverse bears the Beverly Hills-based local post’s name and the postal card’s denomination.
Bat’s Private Post Cosmopolitan Hotel postal card (reverse)Bat’s Private Post Cosmopolitan Hotel postal card picturing Cosmopolitan Hotel
A handwritten note from the local post’s operator indicates that the postal card was issued for use in “a new traveling post office.” The copy that I received in the mail was postmarked by Bat’s Private Post and the United States Postal Service on March 24.
This postal card is not the first unusual local post item that we’ve seen from Bat’s Private Post. As you may recall, the outfit earlier this year issued a set of four freightsheets for World Local Post Day.
Renewal by Andersen ad uses presorted standard stamp
While I’ve posted on occasion about mail pieces that I’ve received from various non-profit organizations, receiving any piece of advertising mail that’s not related to a charity but still appeals to me as a stamp collector is a real rarity these days. Nevertheless, last month I did receive a flyer that fits that description from Renewal by Andersen.
This advertisement is printed on a single unfolded sheet of heavy paper that I normally would have tossed into the trash can or recycle bin except for one thing: it has a genuine United States postage stamp on it! It’s a presorted standard stamp issued in 2020, but a stamp it is.
Renewal by Andersen flyer with presorted standard stamp
The return address on the mail piece is in Austin, Texas, but the stamp is tied by a Minneapolis, Minnesota, mailer’s postmark. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was part of a campaign involving Andersen outlets in multiple regions with all of the advertisements distributed from a single location, but I don’t have proof of that one way or the other.
I do think it’s interesting that the mailer chose to use stamps. Conventional thinking is that the use of non-profit or presorted standard stamps on business envelopes boosts open rates, but it’s kind of difficult to believe that it would make much difference one way or the other on something using this particular format.
My guess is that few mail pieces like this are ever saved, so who knows? It’s not likely to ever be valuable, but one day this could be a modern postal history rarity.
Philosateleian Post to issue whooping crane stamp in June
In just a few weeks, the endangered whooping crane will become the latest bird to be featured on a local post stamp. Philosateleian Post, a private local post based in San Antonio, Texas, plans to issue a 1-stamp design picturing a whooping crane’s head on a dark red background on June 1, 2021.
Philosateleian Post whooping crane stamp
The new stamp is a non-rectangular trapezoid, the second such stamp Philosateleian Post has issued and the first since its American flamingo stamp released in June 2020. Unlike that stamp, the whooping crane stamp’s design is widest at the top and narrowest at its base. The design is based on a photograph taken by Philosateleian Post’s proprietor, Kevin Blackston.
By the early 1940s, no more than two dozen whooping cranes were known to still exist, but conservation efforts and breeding programs have led to a gradual increase in the species’ population numbers, and hundreds of the birds are alive today. The whooping crane is North America’s tallest bird with some specimens reaching heights of more than five feet.
Technical Specifications
Format: sheets of 44. Design size: 36×28 mm. Separation method: perforated 12. Adhesive: water-activated dry gum. Printing method: inkjet.
Philatelic Services
To receive a mint single of Philosateleian Post’s Whooping Crane 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 17544
San Antonio TX 78217-0544
United States of America
