Stamp collecting is a whole 'nother hobby. In many countries, railroad subjects of various types are often the basis of what's depicted on stamps. I suspect the last time RRs were a major subject for stamps in the US was probably 50 years ago when we celebrated the centennial of the transcon in 1969.
The 50 years since seems well worth the wait after I saw the beautiful stamps the Postal Service issued to celebrate the 150th year of our nation being tied from sea to sea with a railroad. These stamps are works of art. Each sheet consists of three rows of stamps. The first is a full color image of the Jupiter in all her finery. The middle column consists of a Golden Spike stamp. The last column of stamps show another full color view of a loco, this time it's the UP's No. 119.
The PO is also offering a box set that includes a large, lavhsly illustrated book on the transcon and, separately, a nicely printed portrait of Jupiter as well as other more standard "stamp fan" fare.
These are "Forever" stamps, so you can stock up on enough of them to last you until the transcon bicentennial. If we can't have RPOs, maybe we can at least have a bunch of RR-themed stamps?
I'd say let's buy 'em up and maybe the PO will issue more RR-themed stamps in the future.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I got a few sheets from the P.O. several weeks ago. They are indeed beautiful. I hope the folks I send Christmas cards to will apperciate them. I also have several books of stickers from the 1969 Centennial. I often use those on the back of envelopes, just for fun
I have always appreciated and admired the synergy between the U.S. and Canadian Mail service and the railroads.
NYC_RPO-ad by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
I am using them for Christmas Cards this year also!
.
I thought the poster for the new releases was hilarious. Could they not find a picture of the appropriate train for the lower left... or at least a North American train?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Here is what the whole sheet looks like:
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
I went to the post office the other day, but was told that they had them at the other town post office.(we have a weird town, with two post offices, and no school.)
I will try to get some, and save some for the bicentenial.
Harrison
Homeschooler living In upstate NY a.k.a Northern NY.
Modeling the D&H in 1978.
Route of the famous "Montreal Limited"
My YouTube
My son gave me a whole sheet framed for Father's Day.
They really are beautiful.
Paul
I was at the 150th anniversary celebration in Promonatory on May 10. USPS had a booth for selling the special stamps there, and they would cancel them there for collectors.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
On USPS site there are two nice posters, plus a 1st day of issue envelope still available.
EDIT: Adding a few photos. The poster includes (one of each) actual stamps. In the other frame I chose to include the stamp sheet, the 1st day of issue cover, and a "title" (with stamp) clipped from the larger Jupiter poster (that I did not otherwise use). These were added behind the layout along with some 4014/844 photos from the recent 150th celebration UP trip.
IMG_4355 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
IMG_4356 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
IMG_4357 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
IMG_4354 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
They are really top notch and some of the nicest train themed US stamps I have ever seen. I want to make sure I buy one sheet just for keeps.
Interestingly, between the time of my first purchase and my second, the person at the USPS facility at the second purchase made extra sure I was aware (and the customer before me was aware) that the center column -- the "Golden Spike" stamps -- were in fact first class "Forever" stamps just like the locomotive stamps on either side. Evidentlty some people did not realize that and complained that the stamps were a rip off.
Dave Nelson
Glad to see that others like these stamps also. Thanks for the pics, too, especially GARRY's, who was there for the big event. May 10 was the date the stamps were released and I'll say they were part of a great show if these pics are any indication.
dknelsonthe center column -- the "Golden Spike" stamps -- were in fact first class "Forever" stamps just like the locomotive stamps
The Postal Service had the same "rip off" complaints about the Batman stamps a few years ago. People did not realize that the searchlights were also stamps, and thought they were being overcharged.
Interesting the discussion would come up.
I just received in the mail, a set from a sister in law who runs a packaging service at a gated community in Southern California.
Transcontinental Railroad 150 Anniversary stamp set. A very nice set I shall keep and frame.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
If you should know (or happen to be) a serious stamp collector, ask to see the June 2019 issue of The American Philatelist. There is a nice photo of 4-4-0 steam locomotive #60 (Jupiter) on the cover and an article on the Transcontinential Railroad triptych of stamps, including technical detail about the stamps themselves, and a reproduction of the 1944 transcontinential commemorative stamp.
Sure enough, you can buy these stamps online. I might get them to just frame also. Thanks for starting this topic!
Yeah the poster they have to advertise the stamps is funny, nothing says American Transcontinental Railroad like a photo of... a British Rails painted Stanier Black Five engine!
My Christmas cards are in the mail for 2019 with trains stamps on them!
I can't believe my wife went along with this!
I used them only for the train themed cards I sent to train friends. And the last time I was at the USPS where I buy stamps, late November, they said they no longer had the Transcontinental railroad stamps - fortunately someone thought they had seen a sheet in a certain cabinet and there it was. But that might be it. Are they now discontinued I wonder?
Dave,
Try a different post office. I think that each PO receives an initial glut of new stamps and can reorder more so long as they are still available. Once the central supply runs out, it depends on how many each PO has on hand whether or not they will still be available.
The post office in Riverdale, Georgia had plenty of them last month.
I guess it varies by location.