My Latest USA Postage Stamp Haul

I bought these stamps a couple months ago, so some of the sheets you can no longer buy, but I finally put together a batch of Postcrossing.com postcards.  25 postcards in one sitting.  I love stamps.  Since I was a child I've been fascinated by them.  Though my collection isn't big, I collect what I like, and these are pretty fun stamps.

Sending postcards internationally requires either a Forever International stamp, which is $1.15, or combine two $.55 Forever stamps with an extra ounce stamp totaling $1.25.  That last option is 10 cents more, but so much more fun, and those who receive the postcards I send are always thankful for the unique stamps.

 I LOVE these dragon stamps.

Though the picture doesn't show it, there's reflective copper.

 I couldn't find the pins on the USPS online store, but they're really neat.

 And I love the different images for the digital color postmark.

 These stamps are a nice size, and I love the images.

 Again, the DCP's are each different, which is cool.

 You can no longer buy a sheet of Mr. Roger stamps.

The DCP and Cachet are still available.

 I have no idea what a cachet is.  I ordered it because it looked cool, but haven't opened it.  At some point I probably will take a look.  But it is nice.

 O Beautiful are incredibly gorgeous stamps.  20 different stamps!

These are no longer available as a single sheet, but you can get them in a package of DCP's, First Day of Issue, etc.

 This set is no longer avaliable, but since I couldn't afford 20 different DCP's, getting a single DCP with a stamp sheet makes the cost breakdown so much easier.

I didn't get a sheet of Turning the Tide, but I had to at least get the DCP.  This last October I visited both Germany and France.  Realizing that last year was the 100 year anniversary of WWI ending, I brought my red poppy umbrella in case it rained.  Silly, probably, but the symbolism was special.

One of my favorite cartoons growing up was "What Have We Learned, Charlie Brown?"  It haunted me as a kid, and has stayed with me.  Seeing the landscape 100 years later is humbling, and this DCP is a nice memento.

USA Stamp Price Increase + The Mistaken Postcard

I got someone else's postcard!  I didn't realize it at first, surprised that I got two Russian postcards at the same time, but when I went to register the RU I.D. on postcrossing.com, the postcard pictured above wouldn't register!  It took me a few failed tries until I finally looked at the address.  

The postcard was supposed to go to a gal in Bayside California, a fellow postcrossing junkie.  How did it end up in my mail slot?  I think our postcards got stuck together, coming out of Russia, with the top of her postcard showing my address.  I quickly put her postcard in an envelope, so hopefully she's got it now.  But boy, how trustworthy is the USPS?

On another note, USPS is increasing stamp prices starting January 26, 2014 . . . again.

Regular US letters will go from $0.46 to $0.49 a stamp . . . making a book of 20 $9.80.

Postcard stamps are going from $0.33 to $0.34, a whole penny

And International stamps are going from $1.10 to $1.15 a stamp.

You can view the complete price chart here.

When sending a postcrossing postcard I always put two regular Forever stamps with a George Washington $0.20 stamp, making my International postage $1.12.  Two cents more, but those I send the postcards to love the fun commemorative stamps.  Now the same combo will cost me $1.18, up 6 cents, and 3 cents above the new International forever price.  A few pennies seem small, but when you send a lot of postcards Internationally, it sure adds up fast.

Get those Forever stamps at the cheaper rate while you still can!! 

New USA Harry Potter Forever Stamps 2013

Last week I noticed on the USPS, United States Postal Service, website that the USA issued on November 19, 2013 a new Harry Potter booklet with 20 different stamps spanning all seven films.  Being the stamp collector/Postrossing lover I am, I had to buy them . . . three booklets worth.  One booklet to keep unused for my collection, and the other two for postcards.

One booklet is priced at $9.20, the cost of 20 Forever stamps.

I absolutely love the design and layout of these stamps!

 The back side of the booklet.

 With stamps I really love, I like to get a First Day of Issue canceled envelope.  Usually when you by them you have to get all 20, or whatever is in that set, but I can't afford the $32 price tag.  I always get the DCP covers, Digital Color Postmarks, instead of the black and white cancellations, because I love the designs and art of the colored postmarks.  They're more interesting to look at.

Luckily there is a set where you can buy a single booklet with a randomly placed DCP first day of issue envelope for $10.95.  I couldn't resist.  I'm so lucky to have gotten Ginny Weasley.

I bought my stamps off the USPS website because, with the Holidays, I didn't want to stand in line, and the local post office has a habit of running out of the good/popular forever stamps.  I didn't want to take a chance.

I hope the USPS continues to do more stamp booklets like this with fun themes.