A military franchise stamp serves the same purpose as a free frank notation.

Also this week, taking a closer look at the storied ArtCraft line of first-day cover cachets, and a review of a mixture worldwide stamps that cost a penny apiece.

The Pratt award is the annual prize for the best-judged writing related to the philately of Newfoundland.

Royal Mail adapted the image showing the new monarch facing to the left from a portrait created by Martin Jennings for new coinage from the Royal Mint.

The stamp designs show the blossoms of Ranunculus asiaticus, commonly known as the Persian buttercup.

The Alderney issue marking the 150th anniversary of Around the World in 80 Days includes a set of six stamps and a souvenir sheet with one additional stamp.

Royal Mail’s X-Men issue includes 12 stamps in two horizontal se-tenant (side-by-side) strips of six, and a souvenir sheet of five stamps.

Also this week, a surface mail cover sent in August 1939 gets caught up in the start of World War II, and French stamps honoring Louis Pasteur debut during turbulent financial times.

Have you picked up a new collecting area this winter? Has organizing an existing collection taken priority?

Legitimately used examples on cover bring a big premium.

Stampex will be available via an app for easier use on a smartphone or tablet, and collectors around the globe can connect via live chat and video calling.

Canada Post honored Chloe Cooley, whose act of resistance influenced legislation leading to the abolition of slavery in Upper Canada, on a stamp issued Jan. 30.

The Bordeaux cover has graced the collections of Alfred Lichtenstein, Maurice Burrus, Hiroyuki Kanai and Arthur Hind.

The club began in 1923 as the St. Petersburg Stamp and Coin Club with just 10 members.

The six stamps in the set depict the humanoid characters and imaginative creatures who populate the Avatar film franchise’s universe.

One stamp features a blue rabbit holding a pen and paper, and the other shows three rabbits running in a circle.

On Dec. 18, 1953, Guatemala issued a set of nine airmail stamps commemorating the National Fair held Oct. 20, 1953.

The APS will continue to provide StampStore sellers the same services, including scanning, posting, fulfillment, and fielding questions from buyers.

Subjects to be honored include X-men, King Charles III, river wildlife and Harry Potter.

Also this week, a collector fondly recalls a visit to the Liberec 2022 show in the Czech Republic, and servicing the Great American Stamp Show’s first-day covers will require many envelopes.