The gradual demise of the humble postage stamp.
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
June 17, 2016 8:23am CST
Several Mylot members have discussed postcard collecting and also shown a great interest in the various stamps used on them from other countries. As a result I make a point of acquiring actual stamps when sending a postcard.
This has drawn my attention to the scarcity of stamps in circulation these days. Obviously I was already aware that many mail shots do not use stamps, but had not really noticed the extent.
I recall the time that some large companies began using franking machines in order to avoid having to stock vast quantities of stamps, but despite still receiving abundant mail very few letters actually have stamps.
Even when I visit the Post Office I have specify to the counter assistant that I require postage stamps, otherwise they will simply print off a “Postage paid” sticker for me.
On second thoughts, I was sold postage stamps in both Malta and Turkey, so this scenario may vary from country to country.
18 people like this
20 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Jun 16
There are still plenty of postage stamps in the US where commemorative and decorative stamps are sold in quantity. That said, stamp collecting is in serious decline.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
17 Jun 16
There may be plenty of stamps available for anyone who specifically requests them, but are they in regular use as they were a few decades ago? Here in England stamps are available if requested, but otherwise they supply adhesive labels instead printed for whatever value is required.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Jun 16
@Asylum Some business reply envelopes have prepaid postage but that is rarer because businesses want us to pay postage. Business also uses postage machines. There are machines at the post office that will spit out labels and if you wait in line to mail a large envelope, it will get a label. But most snail mail has stamps which are easily available. However, snail mail is rapidly on the decline so stamp sales have plummeted.
2 people like this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
17 Jun 16
@JohnRoberts The situation is further advanced here because even the counter services will issue labels. It must be months since I received any mail with a stamp on.
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
18 Jun 16
so rare for me to use stamps - I do dislike postage paid stickers though
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Jun 16
@arthurchappell A good point, it was the only time that we had the opportunity to lick the backside of the Queen.
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
18 Jun 16
@Asylum yes very much so - I miss licking the back of the Queen's head
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
19 Jun 16
In the US for packages they use the padi amount but stamps are the norm on letters and postcards.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24078)
• United Kingdom
18 Jun 16
Luckily we still produce some great looking stamps but they tend to put a sticker on instead of stamps at the post office. I used to collect stamps when I was a boy I wonder if you did too? Mind you I was not around when you were a young boy when they were selling the penny blacks, blues and reds. I usually buy a book of 12 first class and keep it in my wallet. Although these days they are quite a valuable commodity.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
17 Jun 16
@boiboing You were probably not the only ones to do that. As you will recall, at one time if you bought extra stamps and the postage costs rose, you would require a low value stamp to make up the difference in price. Since the 1st class stamps were issued, they would cover the full cost irrespective of a price rise.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22287)
• United States
20 Jun 16
I still get stamps here in the US. I get them through the grocery store.
1 person likes this
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
18 Jun 16
There are many kinds of stamps here. I took my mom yesterday to the Post Office as she prefers to buy commemorative stamps rather than the basic first class stamp. She had much to choose from and chose four different kinds.
1 person likes this
@yukimori (10192)
• United States
17 Jun 16
It works the same way here. I have to request stamps or they automatically print the label at the counter.
I was looking through some of the available designs on the USPS website last night... seems like there are quite a few really nice ones out there right now, including a set that features the planets (and poor Pluto) and one that has photographs from several of the national parks on it. There's also a joint-issued series called Gifts of Friendship that celebrates the US relationship with Japan, which is one I'm hoping to find at my local office. 
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
17 Jun 16
Looks like stamp collectors need to work double time or else there would be no more stamps to collect.
1 person likes this
