Micheal, I'm curious: Is this the first US stamp issue that honors a non-US theme or person specifically?
If I'm not mistaken, all the Harry Potter actors are British, the author is British, the setting is in England, ...
Peter
True Peter, but the stories belong to us all. As for non-U.S. theme/person, we have done that before. (Check out Winston Churchill stamps)
Best,
Dan C.
Thanks Dan; good point about Churchill! He was really an international figure, in many ways; I guess Harry Potter can be thought of that way too.
I have no gripe with the stamp issue, actually; they make great stocking stuffers for the godchild and great nieces and nephew. Maybe it will spur some philatelic interest too.
Cheers,
Peter
I thought that these books of stamps looked like a great collectors piece so my wife went down to the local PO to get a couple for me. The PO had never heard about these stamps. They had no idea of what Alison was talking about.
Tim.
My tiny post office did not get any as an automatic shipment. She had to special order them; they should be available in a week. Thanks for posting the photos - I was wondering what they looked like. Still don't understand why they were released in November unless it's a stunt to drive sales for holiday gifts. My kids informed me that Harry Potter's "birthday" is in July. 5 panes though......there are 7 books....
I ordered mine through the USPS.com store, along with other supplies I needed. Only $1.75 Priority Mail shipping charge.
There have been many non-US citizens honored on US stamps. Check out the Champions of Liberty issue, Churchill as Dan pointed out, Capt John Smith (Jamestown issue), Balboa, Henry Hudson, the Pilgrims, Pulaski, von Steuben, Joseph West, Roger Williams, Virginia Dare, Coronado, Sun Yat-Sen, Peter Stuyvesant, Lafayette, Shakespeare, Philip Carteret, Dante, Leif Erikson, Copernicus, several foreign artists, Captain Cook, Louis XVI, Ponce de Leon, Martin Luther, Columbus, for just a quick list.
An interesting op-ed piece on CNN...
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/22/opinion/obeidallah-harry-potter/index.html?hpt=hp_t4
Sorry once again, I can't make into a link.
Bob
(Modified by Moderator on 2013-11-22 12:57:49)
Isn't this also the first time a living, recognizable person has appeared on US postage stamps (not counting "face in the crowd" or a designer's model)? If so, how ironic that the persons pictured aren't even US citizens.
There have been around 2 dozen living people appearing on US stamps over the years, not counting the Harry Potter issue.
I mean RECOGNIZABLE people. Not faces in a crowd or a depiction of a person which turns out to be the designer's sister-in-law. Charles Lindberg's name was printed on a stamp in 1927. And of course it was obviously John Glenn inside the Mercury capsule and known astronauts inside the Moon-suits on the moon landing stamp, but actual, recognizable photos of notable people? Name me a couple, maybe there are some, I just cannot think of any.
I know that until a few years ago no living person could be depicted on a US stamp, and no other person until they had been dead 10 years (absent special circumstances such as deceased Presidents and certain political personages). That was later changed to 5 years, then abandoned altogether. However, although I am aware of recent discussions regarding placing photos of living persons on stamps, I did not know that any had been so honored.
Perhaps the correct term here should as stated by Linn's. The Harry Potter is the first US stamp issue to "clearly and intentionally show photographs of living people".
There have been a couple of dozen stamps, like I stated, where the depiction of living people was unintentional.
And I just think it is peculiar that the first living persons appears on US stamps who are recognizable by the general public (i.e., we can identify them on sight by name, google their bios, etc.), are not persons who reside in the United States, remarkable statesmen/women, famous scientists, or great humanitarians, but rather are BRITISH ACTORS (not that there is anything wrong with being either British or an actor).
Could not have the postal service found someone more worthy, or at least used American actors? How about Clint Eastwood or Sandra Bullock? Or why not Miley Cyrus or Lady Gaga? (now, I would buy those stamps!)
In this Washington Post article they note that the Citizen's Advisory Council was bypassed by the USPS in the decision to release the Harry Potter issue.
Here is the relevant quote from the full article:
"Set up as a filter between the postmaster general and the public, which petitions the Postal Service for about 40,000 stamp subjects and designs each year, ... (the committee's) mission is to ensure that stamp subjects “have stood the test of time, are consistent with public opinion and have broad national interest.†For one of the only times in its 56-year-history, the committee was not consulted in the decision to put Potter and his friends and foes on the run of 100 million “forever†stamps. "
I read that Washington Post article and was intrigued by the politics of issuing stamps. Seems bogged down.
This is an attractive booklet and the pages can be removed and adhered in piece. I'm sending one page on a cover to a stamp friend. It is the closest thing I've seen for a mini-sheet.
I may order another booklet or two.
Now I have experienced the lack of common sense that plagues the USPS. My tiny post office cannot order these stamps, no way, no how, nothing doing. Unbelievable. The postmaster even let me see their order screens and it is not there. Apparently, only high volume, important post offices are able to place an order and ours in rural Iowa obviously does not qualify. I had to come home and order them myself. Fine for me but what about those whose kids just wanted a sheet (people are asking for them according to our postmaster). Does it even make sense to turn away business?
USPS had a great chance to publicize/market these stamps to get plenty of people interested. They did not even show a picture of the stamps before they were issued. No one should be surprised or wondering why the USPS is billions of dollars in the red.
I got it. The USPS is run by Gibbons and BidStart, and the people re-programming the BidStart site are those who worked on the Obamacare web site. Yep. Makes sense.
I got my HP stamps yesterday; arrived Priority Mail from the USPS website, $1.75 shipping. I often find it easier to buy directly from the website than get frustrated at the local PO not having the issue. I strongly recommend it.
Peter
I got my HP stamps in the mail yesterday also. They are a truly beautiful set. They might have done a bad job on publicizing them, but they have done a great job in the design of the item.
Regards ... Tim.
"They might have done a bad job on publicizing them, but they have done a great job in the design of the item."
the design IS gorgeous; the subject matter a bit disconcerting; the publicity abysmal; and bypassing CSC sets a precedent that they will ignore when convenient.
Regarding buying stamps from the Fulfillment Center or online: i used to think that it was better to buy from your local post office so they would get the "credit" for the sale and it might help keep the doors open longer. Just found out last week (while trying to help my postmaster order the Harry Potter stamps, without success), that it doesn't matter where you purchase your stamps as long as you use your zip code. That zip code will assign the purchase amount to the correct post office, thereby giving tiny post offices the proper "credit" for whatever amount was spent.
That made me feel better about ordering large quantities of non die cut muscle cars for our stamp show cover and getting the Harry Potter stamps over the phone.
What a complex system.......no wonder they have such troubles.
American Friends:
The stamp honouring Sir Winston Churchill, issued by the USPOD in 1965, was so, because Sir Winston was an honourary American citizen.
David
Ottawa, Canada
the Harry Potter stamps pictured in the 20 stamp booklet do not have die cuts. were the booklets issued without die cuts?
there are plenty of non-US citizens purposely pictured on our stamps: the champions of liberty series is a good place to start; then there are all of those generals from Europe honored for their service in the Revolutionary War.
David
"the Harry Potter stamps pictured in the 20 stamp booklet do not have die cuts. were the booklets issued without die cuts?"
were the booklets issued without die cuts? a seller on ebay has booklets without die cuts. have purchased 200 booklets with die cuts and have not seen booklets available without the die cuts. the USPS has pictures of the booklets without the die cuts, but they are not listed on their web site. Will ask this question to the members of the Maplewood Stamp Club..
Like I said, they were issued in booklets with die cuts and uncut press sheets with and without die cuts. You can purchase uncut press sheets from Stamp Fulfillment Services at 800-782-6724. I purchased a press sheet without die cuts and cut it into booklet panes. You can buy your own press sheet and cut it yourself into booklet panes, or pay someone a premium for a booklet without die cuts that was cut from a press sheet. You can't get a booklet pane without die cuts from USPS.
Lars
The Harry Potter special booklet of 20 different stamps was issued today (November 19). Not so sure it's a necessary stamp issue, but if you haven't seen it, think of the New Zealand "Lord of the Rings" issues. The Harry Potter stamps (showing living people albeit in character mode from the movies) were created in that manner and are nicely done.
The booklet contains five panes of four stamps, one pane from each movie. A nice gift for the Muggle in your life.
re: Harry Potter
Micheal, I'm curious: Is this the first US stamp issue that honors a non-US theme or person specifically?
If I'm not mistaken, all the Harry Potter actors are British, the author is British, the setting is in England, ...
Peter
re: Harry Potter
True Peter, but the stories belong to us all. As for non-U.S. theme/person, we have done that before. (Check out Winston Churchill stamps)
Best,
Dan C.
re: Harry Potter
Thanks Dan; good point about Churchill! He was really an international figure, in many ways; I guess Harry Potter can be thought of that way too.
I have no gripe with the stamp issue, actually; they make great stocking stuffers for the godchild and great nieces and nephew. Maybe it will spur some philatelic interest too.
Cheers,
Peter
re: Harry Potter
I thought that these books of stamps looked like a great collectors piece so my wife went down to the local PO to get a couple for me. The PO had never heard about these stamps. They had no idea of what Alison was talking about.
Tim.
re: Harry Potter
My tiny post office did not get any as an automatic shipment. She had to special order them; they should be available in a week. Thanks for posting the photos - I was wondering what they looked like. Still don't understand why they were released in November unless it's a stunt to drive sales for holiday gifts. My kids informed me that Harry Potter's "birthday" is in July. 5 panes though......there are 7 books....
re: Harry Potter
I ordered mine through the USPS.com store, along with other supplies I needed. Only $1.75 Priority Mail shipping charge.
re: Harry Potter
There have been many non-US citizens honored on US stamps. Check out the Champions of Liberty issue, Churchill as Dan pointed out, Capt John Smith (Jamestown issue), Balboa, Henry Hudson, the Pilgrims, Pulaski, von Steuben, Joseph West, Roger Williams, Virginia Dare, Coronado, Sun Yat-Sen, Peter Stuyvesant, Lafayette, Shakespeare, Philip Carteret, Dante, Leif Erikson, Copernicus, several foreign artists, Captain Cook, Louis XVI, Ponce de Leon, Martin Luther, Columbus, for just a quick list.
re: Harry Potter
An interesting op-ed piece on CNN...
http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/22/opinion/obeidallah-harry-potter/index.html?hpt=hp_t4
Sorry once again, I can't make into a link.
Bob
(Modified by Moderator on 2013-11-22 12:57:49)
re: Harry Potter
Isn't this also the first time a living, recognizable person has appeared on US postage stamps (not counting "face in the crowd" or a designer's model)? If so, how ironic that the persons pictured aren't even US citizens.
re: Harry Potter
There have been around 2 dozen living people appearing on US stamps over the years, not counting the Harry Potter issue.
re: Harry Potter
I mean RECOGNIZABLE people. Not faces in a crowd or a depiction of a person which turns out to be the designer's sister-in-law. Charles Lindberg's name was printed on a stamp in 1927. And of course it was obviously John Glenn inside the Mercury capsule and known astronauts inside the Moon-suits on the moon landing stamp, but actual, recognizable photos of notable people? Name me a couple, maybe there are some, I just cannot think of any.
I know that until a few years ago no living person could be depicted on a US stamp, and no other person until they had been dead 10 years (absent special circumstances such as deceased Presidents and certain political personages). That was later changed to 5 years, then abandoned altogether. However, although I am aware of recent discussions regarding placing photos of living persons on stamps, I did not know that any had been so honored.
re: Harry Potter
Perhaps the correct term here should as stated by Linn's. The Harry Potter is the first US stamp issue to "clearly and intentionally show photographs of living people".
There have been a couple of dozen stamps, like I stated, where the depiction of living people was unintentional.
re: Harry Potter
And I just think it is peculiar that the first living persons appears on US stamps who are recognizable by the general public (i.e., we can identify them on sight by name, google their bios, etc.), are not persons who reside in the United States, remarkable statesmen/women, famous scientists, or great humanitarians, but rather are BRITISH ACTORS (not that there is anything wrong with being either British or an actor).
Could not have the postal service found someone more worthy, or at least used American actors? How about Clint Eastwood or Sandra Bullock? Or why not Miley Cyrus or Lady Gaga? (now, I would buy those stamps!)
re: Harry Potter
In this Washington Post article they note that the Citizen's Advisory Council was bypassed by the USPS in the decision to release the Harry Potter issue.
Here is the relevant quote from the full article:
"Set up as a filter between the postmaster general and the public, which petitions the Postal Service for about 40,000 stamp subjects and designs each year, ... (the committee's) mission is to ensure that stamp subjects “have stood the test of time, are consistent with public opinion and have broad national interest.†For one of the only times in its 56-year-history, the committee was not consulted in the decision to put Potter and his friends and foes on the run of 100 million “forever†stamps. "
re: Harry Potter
I read that Washington Post article and was intrigued by the politics of issuing stamps. Seems bogged down.
This is an attractive booklet and the pages can be removed and adhered in piece. I'm sending one page on a cover to a stamp friend. It is the closest thing I've seen for a mini-sheet.
I may order another booklet or two.
re: Harry Potter
Now I have experienced the lack of common sense that plagues the USPS. My tiny post office cannot order these stamps, no way, no how, nothing doing. Unbelievable. The postmaster even let me see their order screens and it is not there. Apparently, only high volume, important post offices are able to place an order and ours in rural Iowa obviously does not qualify. I had to come home and order them myself. Fine for me but what about those whose kids just wanted a sheet (people are asking for them according to our postmaster). Does it even make sense to turn away business?
re: Harry Potter
USPS had a great chance to publicize/market these stamps to get plenty of people interested. They did not even show a picture of the stamps before they were issued. No one should be surprised or wondering why the USPS is billions of dollars in the red.
I got it. The USPS is run by Gibbons and BidStart, and the people re-programming the BidStart site are those who worked on the Obamacare web site. Yep. Makes sense.
re: Harry Potter
I got my HP stamps yesterday; arrived Priority Mail from the USPS website, $1.75 shipping. I often find it easier to buy directly from the website than get frustrated at the local PO not having the issue. I strongly recommend it.
Peter
re: Harry Potter
I got my HP stamps in the mail yesterday also. They are a truly beautiful set. They might have done a bad job on publicizing them, but they have done a great job in the design of the item.
Regards ... Tim.
re: Harry Potter
"They might have done a bad job on publicizing them, but they have done a great job in the design of the item."
re: Harry Potter
the design IS gorgeous; the subject matter a bit disconcerting; the publicity abysmal; and bypassing CSC sets a precedent that they will ignore when convenient.
re: Harry Potter
Regarding buying stamps from the Fulfillment Center or online: i used to think that it was better to buy from your local post office so they would get the "credit" for the sale and it might help keep the doors open longer. Just found out last week (while trying to help my postmaster order the Harry Potter stamps, without success), that it doesn't matter where you purchase your stamps as long as you use your zip code. That zip code will assign the purchase amount to the correct post office, thereby giving tiny post offices the proper "credit" for whatever amount was spent.
That made me feel better about ordering large quantities of non die cut muscle cars for our stamp show cover and getting the Harry Potter stamps over the phone.
What a complex system.......no wonder they have such troubles.
re: Harry Potter
American Friends:
The stamp honouring Sir Winston Churchill, issued by the USPOD in 1965, was so, because Sir Winston was an honourary American citizen.
David
Ottawa, Canada
re: Harry Potter
the Harry Potter stamps pictured in the 20 stamp booklet do not have die cuts. were the booklets issued without die cuts?
re: Harry Potter
there are plenty of non-US citizens purposely pictured on our stamps: the champions of liberty series is a good place to start; then there are all of those generals from Europe honored for their service in the Revolutionary War.
David
re: Harry Potter
"the Harry Potter stamps pictured in the 20 stamp booklet do not have die cuts. were the booklets issued without die cuts?"
re: Harry Potter
were the booklets issued without die cuts? a seller on ebay has booklets without die cuts. have purchased 200 booklets with die cuts and have not seen booklets available without the die cuts. the USPS has pictures of the booklets without the die cuts, but they are not listed on their web site. Will ask this question to the members of the Maplewood Stamp Club..
re: Harry Potter
Like I said, they were issued in booklets with die cuts and uncut press sheets with and without die cuts. You can purchase uncut press sheets from Stamp Fulfillment Services at 800-782-6724. I purchased a press sheet without die cuts and cut it into booklet panes. You can buy your own press sheet and cut it yourself into booklet panes, or pay someone a premium for a booklet without die cuts that was cut from a press sheet. You can't get a booklet pane without die cuts from USPS.
Lars