Colonel William A. Phillips

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I don't get this "forever stamp" USPS proposal (which the news now is that it has been approved for later this year). Stamps bearing only the indication "FIRST CLASS" have been sold in all US post offices since at least 2002 (see, eg [1]). I've used old First Class stamps to mail letters over several rate changes. How are these non-denominated stamps any different from the future "forever stamp"? NTK 15:56, 20 March 2007 (UTC)[reply]

When I first learned about the stamp, I understood it was intended as a customer convenience, to save him running to buy new stamps—first class and one- and two-cent add-ons—after every postage increase. The USPS site indicates this [1].

However, a Washington Post article [2] emphasizes the cost savings of already-purchased stamaps after a rate increase. The article goes on to express the concern about what would happen "if consumers buy the stamps in large numbers to avoid higher postal rates in later years."

I question whether this is a valid concern. Granted, people will go buy a bunch of stamps when a rate increase is imminent. But how likely will they hoard stamps for "later years"? Aren't there investments that give a higher rate of return than the rate of postal inflation? How many letters do most people mail that it will make that much of a difference anyway? If you say they will sell the stamps at a profit (by undercutting the USPS by a penny or two after a rate increase), how many are willing to go through the trouble?

For these reasons, I see the forever stamp as a convenience, saving customers from having to run to the post office to buy new stamps, and as a short-term buffer against rate increases but not a long-term hedge against inflation.

HMM 15:02, 10 May 2007 (UTC)

[1] http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/2007/sr07_011.htm. [2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/03/AR2006050301039.html

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BetacommandBot (talk) 04:01, 12 February 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Should this not be "United Kingdom" (or at least "Great Britain). I don't know if they are issued in Noprthern Ireland but I imagine they are. —Preceding unsigned comment added by SimonTrew (talk • contribs) 15:53, 5 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I had always imagined part of the reason for them being introduced in UK was so they could be sold in shops etc rather than just post offices, so that the retailer would not have to sell old stock below cost. I have no evidence for this, but it is ellegal under various shops acts (particlalyl sale of goods act but I have not yet checked) to sell goods at a higher price than that marked by the manufaacturer. I can reseach the details of this but before I do, could anyone anyone comment quickly if it is worth my doing so?

btw please excuse my typing I spell very well but have a poorly left hand. I will let the errors above stand. ST 5 Aug 2008 160:00 GMT/UTC

This article currently says: "In announcing its decision to adopt non-denominated postage in 2006, Canada Post noted that it had to print more than 60 million one-cent stamps following the last price increase in 2005. It is marked by a white capital P overlaid on a red maple leaf, which is itself within a white circle."

Actually, in the Silver Dart stamp commemorating the first flight in Canada, the Maple Leaf around the "P" isn't red. It matches the colour scheme of the stamp. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.67.16.111 (talk) 00:24, 16 October 2009 (UTC)[reply]

• Thanks, article updated. Verne Equinox (talk) 00:01, 5 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

In the early 1980's Canada issued the 'A' stamp. This was issued because the post office needed to print new stamps and parliament had not yet ratified a new postal rate.70.67.185.209 (talk) 00:12, 1 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]

• Thanks, article amended. Verne Equinox (talk) 00:01, 3 September 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Gematria or isopsephy has been around for at least 2,500 years, if not much longer! It was/is practiced by the Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, etc. and appears in English. Although the gematric sum of words is usually associated with this practice, i.e. English=74 (E5+n14+g7+l12+i9+s19+h8) and gematria=74 (g7+e5+m13+a1+t20+r18+i9+a1), simply counting the number of letters in a word/name/phrase is 'Step 1'. Liberty(7) Bell(4) is very symbolic since it symbolizes 7/4: July 4th. The Forever Stamp utilizes both aspects of gematria with its picture of the Liberty(7) Bell(4) and Forever=74 (F6+o=0+r18+e5+v22+e5+r18, O=15 or zerO, i.e. GOD=7_4). For a scientific explanation of the significance of 7_4, see the NASA presentation Identifying 'True Earth-like Planets' - All New Worlds Are Built On 7_4 (like Earth) or 6_4 at http://exep.jpl.nasa.gov/exep_exoMtgPosters.cfm - Brad Watson, Miami, FL 75.74.156.102 (talk) 12:36, 2 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Is it true that the U.S. Postal Service has issued its newest first-class "forever" stamp featuring a stock photo of the head of the Statue of Liberty replica that stands in front of the New York-New York Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas?[2] If so, what is Wikimedia policy on "fair use" of same? --Pawyilee (talk) 12:13, 23 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I use stamps, and I live in the US. For many years, the rule was, when mailing to addresses outside the US, "forever" stamps weren't allowed. You had to use stamps with denominations. This has apparently changed; the USPS started selling "Global Forever" stamps about 2012 or 2013. The clerk was too busy to explain, and the USPS website is rather difficult to understand on this point. I would appreciate a substantial improvement to the article in this regard. Alternatively, if someone can find a good external link, that might do the job. Oaklandguy (talk) 20:01, 16 December 2014 (UTC)[reply]

just noticed your post, but yeah, it's especially confusing whether any of these stamps carry their (current) value as partial payment toward higher postage. e.g. domestic forever stamp + bunch of loose ones used to form intl postage...or global forever stamp + bunch of loose ones on an overweight item which costs more.

i get different answers from every clerk. while some ASSURE me it's fine, i'm always quite afraid the items will be returned/disappear mid route. 209.172.23.132 (talk) 07:27, 7 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

This USPS Forever Stamp Fact Sheet indicates that "Customers can use Forever Stamps for international mail, but since all international prices are higher than domestic prices, customers will need to attach additional postage. The value of the Forever Stamp is the domestic First-Class Mail letter price in effect on the day of use." Plain Text (talk) 22:51, 4 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

i've heard sources saying the recent rate decrease was the "first in history". i'm a bit skeptical about that, but it is in any case quite rare. so pity the poor shmucks like me who STOCKED UP on forever stamps, only to end up LOSING money!

as someone above pointed out, the savings of a cent or two is never enough to offset inflation, but when the savings are actually...NEGATIVE! ARGGGGH!!!!

i'm curious whether there were any protests over this. USPS is so over-regulated by congress, i wouldn't be half-surprised to find them conducting hearings about this "sudden windfall". 209.172.23.132 (talk) 07:27, 7 June 2016 (UTC)[reply]

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