When comparing these two stamp sets, it’s clear that in a little over 60 years technology applied to postal operations had grown by leaps and bounds in ways undreamed of in 1912.

The first-day ceremony will take place at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C.

There will be two prizes given to the winners: one for the best philatelic line and one for the best nonphilatelic line.

Also this week, an unusual label on a cover from a 1908 ship wreck, and a review of a worldwide mixture of stamps with high catalog values.

Additional details about the Christmas Madonna and Child stamp were published in the Sept. 2 issue of Linn’s Stamp News.

Linn's editor-in-chief Jay Bigalke presents some highlights from the first-day ceremonies for the Hank Aaron and Dungeons & Dragons stamps.

The error, the first of its kind for the nearly four-decade-old stamp, occurs on the far right stamp in a strip of seven.

APS executive director Scott English’s detailed presentation focused on the strategic plan for the APS and APRL that launches in October and continues through December 2027.

The nondenominated (73¢) Christmas Madonna and Child stamp features an oil-on-canvas painting by the workshop of Sassoferrato (1609–85), an Italian artist.

A phenomenon on covers of the World War I era is the blue star banner on mail from families with members in the military.

In the article, Lawrence tells the story of a July 2, 1847, cover franked with one of the first two United States stamps (Scott 2) and sent from New York City to Indianapolis.

Also this week, tools and terms for finding your stamps, and a magical tip of the week.

Linn's editor-in-chief Jay Bigalke’s tribute to George W. Linn appears in the 5,000th issue Linn's Stamp News, which Linn founded in 1928.

On April 30, 1904, the U.S. Post Office Department issued a set of five Louisiana Purchase Exposition stamps. The 5¢ dark blue stamp commemorates William McKinley (1843-1901), the 25th president of the United States.

The vertical commemorative features the signature red, white and blue colors of the U.S. flag.

The stamp for the July contest was the 39¢ stamp inscribed “B. Free Franklin, Postmaster” from the 2006 block of four commemorating Franklin’s 300th birth anniversary.

La Posta provides research, news and information regarding all aspects of American postal history. The deadline for submission is Oct. 15.

Journal editors and authors are encouraged to submit articles of fewer than 8,000 words no later than Dec. 1.

The system was not limited to mail from the United States. When this method was in operation, any mail coming into the United Kingdom could receive the diamond marking.

The “E-Stamp” version is not supposed to be released until March 10, 2025, and was unknown to collectors until it appeared online.