I'm like, INTO them and if I were a little different I would collect them. I would store them in elaborate leather bound albums that I would occasionally drag out of cold storage only to gaze at each frame adoringly through a magnifying glass with a mother-of-pearl handle. I'm one of those annoying people in front of you at the post office who ask the desk clerk --"got anything interesting back there?" while you are late for work and just need a money order to pay your landlord since your checks ran out. I still swoon over the effing GRETA GARBO stamps from a few years back, the Ronald Reagan stamps that my ultra-liberal pals used as postage on their annual holiday newsletter, the Marilyn Monroe and Elvis stamps that have never been separated from each other and nestle like lovers in glassine envelopes in my office drawer.
I don't use the "good stamps" (yes there's good stamps and so-so stamps and bad stamps- I'm looking at you, "forever" liberty bell) to post the cable and electric bill. You know I like you if you get oversized artsy stamps or better yet, an eclectic mix of squash blossom 1 centers, GRETA GARBO, Tito Puente and whatever else tickled my fancy that morning- an insane collection of geekdom in the upper right hand corner.
So, dear reader, imagine my surprise and delight to learn about my beloved and beleaguered US Postal Service's latest offering (er for next year, if they are still in business):
And yes of course, Sylvia's included, much to my delight. And Cummings, Brooks, Bishop, and Levertov! Of course, the USPS adores writers- we spend millions of dollars a year on postage of manuscripts, blog giveaways, editor gifts, bookmark peddling, agent love letters and etc. I'm there at least four times a month and each time EVERY TIME I spend 40 bucks a pop on fancy stamps I don't really need... because I have a serious stamp problem and when I say problem I'm not kidding.
But I can't support the whole operation alone, people. Go. Write a letter. Send your mom a gift, why not send every 5 year old you know a Good Luck in Kindergarten card? Your post office NEEDS you!
I'm going there tomorrow. Can I get you anything?
1 comment:
I saw these when I was on the USPS website. I certainly have to get these for my fun correspondences. I like stamps to and do hate the dreaded liberty bell. I don't think I have an obsession though...not like some others XD Happy mailing!
Post a Comment