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Recently, the U.S. Postal Service has changed specifications regarding the
paper onto which stamps are printed. No longer do they require 2-part paper
with a water soluble layer. This makes it difficult to impossible for
collectors to separate used stamps from envelopes by the traditional water
soaking method.
More importantly, because the vast majority of new issues are in the
self-stick format, the self-adhesive gum is now applied directly to the back of
new stamps. The long term effect of this method on stamps is unknown, but
raises serious concerns. Unfortunately, when this was tried in 1974 on the
10c
Christmas Dove stamp (Scott #1552), after a few years, the gum began to bleed
through to the front of the stamp. Now virtually all mint examples of the
stamp are severely stained and damaged by the adhesive.
We use a large amount of postage in our mailings
and we are noticing a disturbing trend: some mint 29c and 34c self-adhesive
stamps are no longer releasing from their backing paper.
Due to these developments and other factors, many U.S. collectors have cut off their
collections at the year 2000 or thereabouts. We feel that this may be a prudent
move. Because of the possible damage of gum staining, we are not comfortable
selling items that may self-destruct after a period of years.
Therefore, Global Stamps will not be offering any U.S. stamps issued
after 2007. We apologize for any inconvenience that this policy
causes but we can't, in good conscience, offer new stamps that may not
remain in pristine condition. |
