Unused stamps in no-gum condition or stamps that have been regummed and are valued as having no gum can be a real bargain.

The third stamp in the U.S. American Poets commemorative series honored Sidney Lanier, who was born in Macon, Ga. Lanier was also a musician and Confederate Army veteran.

Over the years, expertization certificates have been issued for color shades and paper varieties that later were deemed never to have really existed and were delisted by catalogs.

A 32¢ stamp honoring George Halas was issued in 1997 as part of a set of four stamps commemorating famous football coaches. Halas led the Chicago Bears through 40 seasons.

A special variety of the first-day program for the United States Botanical Art forever stamps was given to everyone attending the ceremony in Atlanta.

Victor Herbert made his mark as a musician, as a composer, and as the leader of some of America's prominent music ensembles. He was also a founder of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Born Jan. 31, 1797, Austrian composer Franz Schubert was prolific during his short life, which ended in 1828. His fame grew monumentally after his death.

In 1894, the government decided to have the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing print U.S. postage stamps. The first issue of stamps from the BEP came to be called the First Bureau Issue.

Howard Koslow, one of the United States Postal Service’s most prolific stamp artists and painter of its 30 classic Lighthouse stamps, died Jan. 25 at his home in Toms River, N.J.

Also popular this week were a post about the APS election in May that features multiple candidates in every race, a tribute to the late Paul Newman on his birthday, and the news that the USPS abandoned its attempt to end Saturday delivery.

W.C. Fields kept movie audiences laughing for years with his classic films My Little Chickadee and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break.

On March 19, 1956, the top denomination of the Liberty definitive series, a $5 stamp depicting Alexander Hamilton, was issued. Commercial $5 Hamilton covers are scarce and highly prized.

Actor Elijah Wood is best known for his starring role as Frodo Baggins in the three Lord of the Rings movies from 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Air letter sheets are one of the less well-known types of postal stationery. They differ from postal stationery envelopes in that the letter or message is written on the sheet, which is then folded up in the shape of an envelope for mailing.

Samuel Gompers was a 19th century cigar maker turned labor leader, an instrumental voice in the founding of the American Federation of Labor.

Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, on Jan. 26, 1925, Oscar-winning actor Paul Newman starred in many acclaimed films while establishing and funding a number of charitable organizations.

Because I ask, or am asked, numerous questions about the functions of the United States Post Office Department, I am fortunate to have available a number of official publications that somehow or other relate to those functions.

William Whipple Jr., a signer of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, also took part in the Battle of Saratoga the following year. He is depicted on stamps commemorating those events.

Edith Wharton won the Pulitzer Prize for her 1920 novel The Age of Innocence. She also authored Ethan Frome in 1911 and numerous other works.

Also among this week's biggest stories on Linns.com are ones analyzing suspicious errors on a 1979 Christmas stamp, and the USPS plan for financial stability.