Published: Monday, April 9, 2007
Forever stamp goes on sale Thursday
The new postage stamp is immune to future rate increases.
By DON SHILLING
Stamps may not be as romantic as true love or as energetic as toy bunnies. But a new stamp promises something the others can't — it will last forever.
True love can die and bunnies run out of battery power, but the forever stamp is good for, well, always.
The stamp goes on sale Thursday for 41 cents, which is the new first-class postage rate that will kick in May 14. The new rate is a 2-cent increase.
The U.S. Postal Service wants to make it easier for stamp-buyers when rates go up. Forever stamps will be good no matter when they are used or how much postage rates go up.
Your children's children could use a forever stamp that was bought Thursday — if mail still exists at that time.
The real advantage of the stamp, however, is to prevent mailers from having to scramble to buy 1-cent or 2-cent stamps after a rate change.
The last rate increase was Jan. 8, 2006.
Mark Saunders, a Postal Service spokesman, said most sales of the new stamps are expected around the time of the next rate increase after the one in May. It is unknown when that will be.
When rates change in coming years, the price that is charged to buy forever stamps will change as well.
Liberty Bell design
Saunders said only one design is planned for the stamp for now, although that could change later. The Postal Service selected the Liberty Bell because of its enduring symbolism of freedom.
Forever stamps are being sold in booklets of 20 for $8.20. It is not being sold in larger quantity formats, such as coils.
The stamps will be available at post offices or by calling (800) 782-6724 or visiting www.usps.com/shop. Phone and Internet orders carry a delivery charge of $1 no matter how many stamps are ordered.
Saunders said the Postal Service will watch demand and print more when necessary.
The agency is ready for a big demand, however. It has printed 5 billion forever stamps, which is much more than normal stamp runs.
The agency printed 180 million Ronald Reagan stamps in 2005, and that was one of its most popular stamps. For a typical commemorative stamp, runs number between 60 million and 100 million.
The new stamp will not replace commemorative stamps, which make money for the Postal Service because they are popular with collectors.
Collectors told USA Today recently that they are split on whether the new stamp is good for collectors.
Bill McAllister, correspondent for Linn's Stamp News, said one concern is that the forever stamp will become so popular that people will lose interest in commemorative stamps. Collectors like to see commemorative stamps being used in the mail because it raises interest in them, he said.
Janet Klug, president of the American Philatelic Society, said, however, that she welcomes the forever stamp. New products raise the interest in stamps and give collectors more items to collect, she said.
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