Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I always thought of definitives to be like the Liberty Series of 1954-68, the transportation coil issues, maybe the Great/Prominent/Distinguished American series, usually less colorful or flamboyant designs.
So these days, what would qualify as a regular issue? Are the different flag stamps issued in multiple formats every year considered definitives? The high denom Floral Geometry, Priority, Express, and Global stamps that seem to be issued every year?
Scott doesn't seem to use the distinction between regulars and commemoratives much in more in recent years, classifying stamps as part of a series (like Black Heritage, Love, Christmas), forever 1st class, extra ounce, or postcard stamps.
Ideas?
Susan
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The good news is you get to decide what a regular stamp is if you choose to segregate. Definitives are supposed to be stamps intended to be on a sale a long time and reprinted as needed. Commemoratives are usually one time printings. They are often printed in very high quantities.
I personally do not see a need to segregate and I would put semi-postals with them too even though Scott has them separate.
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Susan,
you understand "regular" issues perfectly. Intended for long-time use, sometimes in series, but, at least recently, more like a small grouping of things showcasing fireworks, flags, or ordinary nothing burgers like fruit.
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I find modern definitves to be:
American heritage, State Commems. Love stamps, Flags, additional postage, postcard, and anything that was turned into a coil.
Yes, the higher denominations and inter too!
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For my personal collecting purposes, "regular" issues (also known as definitives) are by exception...
1) There are stamps that commemorate people/places/historical events or publicize current events (these also include some airmail stamps).
2) There are stamps designated as "semi-postal" that are issued to provide funds for charitable causes/organizations (these also include some airmail stamps).
3) There are stamps to pay postage due/registration/certified fees.
4) There are stamps to show payment for revenue fees.
5) There are stamps for official use only (these also include some airmail stamps).
6) There are also stamps issued by private carriers contracted by the postal service.
If stamps do not fall into any of these categories, then by exception, I consider them as "regular" issues.
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Colnect provides descriptions of Definitives or Commemoratives, plus semi-postal etc. for stamps listed in their catalog.
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Terry,
I don't know if you collect US, but "stamps that commemorate people" would be one way to describe the entire Third Bureau (Franklin/Washington series).
I am personally torn on the Pictorial Issue of 1869.
The really good thing is that we now have the tools to make our own decisions.
Cheers!
Lars
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08:05:51pm
I was going to organize some of my collection into "regular" issues (definitives) with their various formats. Suddenly I realized that I am confused as to what are considered definitives these days. According to the Encyclopedia of Stamps and Stamp Collecting, by Juell and Rod, a definitive is a "postage stamp intended for routine postal use, issued for an indefinite period of time in indefinite quantities." What is an "indefinite period of time?"
I always thought of definitives to be like the Liberty Series of 1954-68, the transportation coil issues, maybe the Great/Prominent/Distinguished American series, usually less colorful or flamboyant designs.
So these days, what would qualify as a regular issue? Are the different flag stamps issued in multiple formats every year considered definitives? The high denom Floral Geometry, Priority, Express, and Global stamps that seem to be issued every year?
Scott doesn't seem to use the distinction between regulars and commemoratives much in more in recent years, classifying stamps as part of a series (like Black Heritage, Love, Christmas), forever 1st class, extra ounce, or postcard stamps.
Ideas?
Susan
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re: "regular" issues-a meaningful term?
The good news is you get to decide what a regular stamp is if you choose to segregate. Definitives are supposed to be stamps intended to be on a sale a long time and reprinted as needed. Commemoratives are usually one time printings. They are often printed in very high quantities.
I personally do not see a need to segregate and I would put semi-postals with them too even though Scott has them separate.
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re: "regular" issues-a meaningful term?
Susan,
you understand "regular" issues perfectly. Intended for long-time use, sometimes in series, but, at least recently, more like a small grouping of things showcasing fireworks, flags, or ordinary nothing burgers like fruit.
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re: "regular" issues-a meaningful term?
I find modern definitves to be:
American heritage, State Commems. Love stamps, Flags, additional postage, postcard, and anything that was turned into a coil.
Yes, the higher denominations and inter too!
Login to Like
this post
re: "regular" issues-a meaningful term?
For my personal collecting purposes, "regular" issues (also known as definitives) are by exception...
1) There are stamps that commemorate people/places/historical events or publicize current events (these also include some airmail stamps).
2) There are stamps designated as "semi-postal" that are issued to provide funds for charitable causes/organizations (these also include some airmail stamps).
3) There are stamps to pay postage due/registration/certified fees.
4) There are stamps to show payment for revenue fees.
5) There are stamps for official use only (these also include some airmail stamps).
6) There are also stamps issued by private carriers contracted by the postal service.
If stamps do not fall into any of these categories, then by exception, I consider them as "regular" issues.
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re: "regular" issues-a meaningful term?
Colnect provides descriptions of Definitives or Commemoratives, plus semi-postal etc. for stamps listed in their catalog.
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this post
re: "regular" issues-a meaningful term?
Terry,
I don't know if you collect US, but "stamps that commemorate people" would be one way to describe the entire Third Bureau (Franklin/Washington series).
I am personally torn on the Pictorial Issue of 1869.
The really good thing is that we now have the tools to make our own decisions.
Cheers!
Lars
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this post