Linn’s editor-in-chief Jay Bigalke enjoyed attending ceremonies for the Otters in Snow and A Visit From St. Nick stamps.

Also this week, a review of free computer programs that can aid in organizing a stamp collection, and a word search puzzle featuring named animals that appear on stamps.

The wrapping from which this piece was clipped covered a package that could not be sent to the United States Army addressee.

Vaccinations for COVID-19 were on the minds of many readers who entered the contest.

The two error stamps in the block that are missing the dark blue are from the top row of the original pane of 50.

Sometimes you have to respect a good prank — especially one that took a lot of effort, creativity and waiting.

Two Guam Guard Mail stamps, 1¢ and 2¢, were issued July 10, 1930, for use on mail carried between towns on the island.

If you have any reason to doubt the legitimacy of an item or the accuracy of the description of an item being sold without a certificate, put it on extension and send it in for expertizing.

Hundreds of new definitive stamp images were added from the 1990s to date, and pane values were added for stamp issues after the mid-1970s.

Baadke joined Linn’s as a staff writer in February 1993 and was named senior editor in April 1996.

James Hautman’s acrylic painting of a pair of redheads floating in water will appear on the duck stamp that is scheduled to be issued sometime in late June 2022.

What do these Scott numbers signify? In short, each stamp’s listing in an upcoming edition of the 2023 Scott catalogs.

Every so often the U.S. Postal Service used to plug available stamps by producing a promotional flyer picturing the stamps and encouraging customers to buy them.

In exchange for the privilege of penny postal cards, the sender was obliged to use the card as is, adding nothing to it.

Entries with a touch of humor or irony stand the best chance of winning the contest.

The four stamps feature artwork by John Burgoyne, with each stamp showing a single otter playing or posing within a white winter scene.

First-day ceremony programs are handed out to attendees at the events and in past years have been available individually for purchase.

Also this week, exploring USPOD rules concerning assessment of customs duties on stamps for collectors, and helping a Linn’s reader identify a stamp from Queensland.

Collectors and dealers who bought this issue in quantity when issued can enjoy a handsome return on their investment.

The A Visit From St. Nick stamp set is the most recent of 30 or so U.S. postage stamps to feature Santa Claus.