In large cities across the country, charities seeking donations face daunting competition from an unlikely source – the local Zoo. Just ask those with experience in the non-profit sector. They’ll concede people often open their wallets to support cute animals over other causes. Admittedly it’s those cute and sad faces that do it. Under the right circumstances that can also apply to animal shelters.
For millennia dogs and cats have been inseparable companions to humans. Dogs especially have always walked a curious line between being fierce protectors or loving and even silly buddies.
Cats are a different matter – always hard to figure out, particularly many thousands of years ago. In those ancient times, Egyptians considered cats to be magical. They believed cats would somehow bestow good luck on those owning them. Wealthy families even dressed cats in jewels and fed them rare and expensive treats. Then again, maybe things haven’t changed all that much.
Humans are clearly susceptible to baby animals – most often, puppies and kittens. Their goofy unsteadiness can melt even the hardest heart. Such animals have also been a key tool for less than attractive guys hoping to get a date. It’s true. When showing up at a park with an adorable puppy, even a guy resembling something between Fred Flintstone and The Riddler has an appreciably better chance of meeting a girl. (Yes…I may speak from experience.)
Based on two new “Forever” stamps being released on January 19, someone at the Postal Service seems to be aware of our adoration for puppies and kittens. That day, two stamps showing a fluffy kitten and an adorable puppy with their paws atop a heart and the word “LOVE” in the background will be issued. The “sad” eyes on the animals add a special touch.
The new stamps will make their debut almost 50 years to the day from when the first US “Love” stamp was issued in 1973. That stamp featured the stacked “L-O-V-E” letters made famous in the modern art creation by American artist Robert Indiana. For reasons unknown, at the time, the USPS did not call it a 'Love” stamp. Rather, it was, "A Stamp for Someone Special."
In the 1970s, Indiana’s artwork wasn’t universally embraced. After the unveiling of the image so soon after the late ‘60s “Summers Of Love,” some accused it of being a “Hippie” stamp. Others said it looked like “something concocted on a hashish couch.” (Those people probably never imagined that by 2023, “pot” would be legally retailed in much of the US.)
It’s safe to say the new Love stamps featuring the puppy and kitten won’t be met with the same vitriol. They go into circulation in time for Valentine’s Day on February 14.
Their release day is slated for January 19 at the current postal rate of 60-cents. It might be wise to buy extra. Just three days later, on January 22, the First-Class postal rate jumps to 63-cents. Because these are “Forever” stamps they can always be used for future prevailing First-Class postage, whatever that may be. Yet another thing to love.
Because of the many different “Love” stamps issued in the US over the past half-century (as well as the fact that love does conquer all), it’s not surprising topical collecting of “Love” stamps has become so popular. The 1986 “Love” stamp issued by the USPS also featured a cute puppy – that time in the form of a cartoon. Similar stamps displaying human passion issued by other countries augment the popular collecting area. So too for First Day of Issue envelopes.
For stamp collectors, lovers of puppies and kittens or just lovers in general, special First Day of Issue cancellations for the new stamps are available from the Postal Service at no charge. To obtain one, purchase the new “Love” stamps at a local post office, affix them to self-addressed envelopes and send those inside of a separate mailing envelope to: FDOI, Love 2023 Stamp, USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services, 8300 NE Underground Dr., Suite 300, Kansas City, MO. 64144.
Cancels will be applied to each envelope received before May 19 and will be returned via regular mail.
For more collecting information and advice, log onto www.PRexford.com.