United States' Martin Luther King Jr. Stamp

World Stamp Today:

JANUARY 13, 1979

The United States Postal Service released on January 13, 1979 the Martin Luther King, Jr. commemorative stamp.

The stamp is part of the Black Heritage Series which began in 1978. Every year, the USPS issues a stamp that features a notable black American. 

King was assassinated in 1968 by James Earl Ray. He is celebrated as the inspirational leader of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy)

All rights reserved

United States' Thurgood Marshall Stamp

World Stamp Today:

JANUARY 7, 2003

The U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp on January 7, 2003 featuring former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. 

Designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, the Marshall stamp is one of the Unites States Postal Service's honorees in its Black Heritage Series, which salutes outstanding African-American activists, theorists, educators, and leaders.

(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy)

All rights reserved

Reagan on Forever Stamps

In Simi Valley, California, the United States Postal Service (USPS) released on February 10, 2011 the Ronald Reagan (Forever®) commemorative stamp. Valued at 44-cents, the stamp was designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland.

The issuance of the stamp marks the centennial of the birth of Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), who was America's 40th President. The stamp issuance is among a number of centennial events that will take place in the United States this year to commemorate Reagan's life and legacy.

The stamp art by Bart Forbes, Plano, Texas, was created in oil wash on board and was based on a photograph of Reagan taken in 1985 during his presidency, at "Rancho del Cielo" (Ranch in the Sky), near Santa Barbara, California.

Buying An Expensive Stamp Book For Less

After meeting a Cebu Stamp Club member whom I promised to sell a duplicate of my Manny Pacquiao souvenir sheet yesterday at SM City Cebu Mall, I decided to drop by in one of the mall's book stores.

I was planning to look around for Star Wars comic books, books for children and interior design. Me and my wife share the same passion for interiors. She's a Fine Arts graduate major in Interior Design at the University of San Carlos some years back.

One by one, I scrutinized the titles of the books until I happen to come across a book that was partly hidden in one of the shelves. It was a 2005 Brookman Price Guide Issue that featured U.S. Stamps plus Canada and Trust Territories, First Day Covers and annual collectibles, and autographs.

I browsed what's inside and found it to be very informative. It was brand new and had 354 pages. The U.S. bar code reveals its price at $21.99. When I searched the local price, I was amused to find that it only cost P25.00!

Of course, I bought the book right away. I don't wanna lose the opportunity of a very wise purchase!