USPS Operation Santa Enters 21st Century

Posted on November 18, 2024 by VSC

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Operation Santa Launches Online Catalog Santa’s Gift Shoppe Powered by Toys“R”Us®
New e-commerce option for gift fulfillment makes it easy to shop for and ship the perfect gift

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service is announcing the debut of an online e-commerce catalog for the fulfillment of gifts: Santa’s Gift Shoppe, an online option developed exclusively for USPS Operation Santa letter adopters, powered by Toys“R”Us, just in time for the start of the program’s first day of letter adoption.

The new site offers a streamlined experience, making it easier for participants to shop for the ideal gift and ship it from the comfort of their homes with just a click.

The online catalog boasts a selection of toys and gifts from Toys“R”Us, allowing letter adopters to find something special for each letter writer, while the integration with shipping options from the Postal Service, such as USPS Ground Advantage, helps ensure that gifts are affordable to ship and arrive in time for the holidays.

“USPS Operation Santa has connected communities through holiday goodwill for over a century,” said USPS Marketing Vice President Sheila Holman. “This year, through our collaboration with Toys“R”Us, we’re thrilled to bring an easier way for generous people to make a difference. With the launch of this new e-commerce platform, we’re making it simpler than ever to help fulfill wishes and spread holiday joy.”

The introduction of Santa’s Gift Shoppe marks the first of what the Postal Service hopes to be several collaborations in expanding its online catalog to include clothing, shoes, books and more.

“Our joint effort with Toys“R”Us is just the beginning. We’re looking to broaden our selection of gifts in the future to help expand the impact of USPS Operation Santa and create even more opportunities for Americans to spread holiday cheer,” said Holman.

Since its inception 112 years ago, USPS Operation Santa has enabled the public to adopt letters to Santa written by children and families. By choosing a letter, participants make a direct impact on their communities, bringing hope, joy and generosity to the holiday season.

The launch of the e-commerce site coincides with the first day of letter adoption for the program’s 2024 holiday season. Supporters are invited to visit the official USPS Operation Santa website to browse letters, choose a child’s wish to fulfill and benefit from the enhanced shopping and shipping options through Santa’s Gift Shoppe to make holiday dreams come true.

“At Toys“R”Us, our mission is to bring joy to children, and what better way than to surprise them with gifts from Santa,” said Gary Haas, vice president of e-commerce at Toys“R”Us. “Through this new e-commerce platform, generous individuals can easily adopt a letter to Santa and help create magical moments for a new generation of Toys“R”Us kids.”

Also this holiday season, USPS Operation Santa will be featured in a new season of “Dear Santa, The Series,” debuting Nov. 24 on all ABC-owned television stations and streaming on Hulu beginning Nov. 29. The series provides a heartwarming, behind-the-scenes look at the impact of the program, showcasing real stories of generosity and the spirit of the holidays as letters are answered and wishes are fulfilled. “Dear Santa, The Series” captures the essence of USPS Operation Santa, highlighting the dedication of the Postal Service, the support of generous Americans and the joy felt by recipients across the nation.

For more information on how to participate in the program, visit USPSOperationSanta.com.

Financial Woes for Major Publisher?

Posted on November 18, 2024 by VSC

by Lloyd A. de Vries

Amos Media, the largest philatelic media publisher in the U.S., appears to be having financial difficulties. Amos publishes the Scott Postage Stamp Catalogs, Linn’s Stamp News and Scott Stamp Monthly, as well as publications for other hobbies.

In early December, Amos Media advised print subscribers via email that printing of SSM would resume with the December issue and the catalogues would be shipped in early 2025. The company blamed a “business dispute” with its printer.

In a discussion in The Stamp Collecting Forum started by veteran philatelic writer Ken Lawrence, readers reveal they have not received their printed copies of Monthly for several months and columnists report no payments for their articles since June. In addition, printed editions of the Scott catalogues that were due for release on or after September 1 are on back-order, with no date of delivery. Digital editions are available.

Printed editions of Coin World magazine, also published by Amos, also are not available. In a post on a coin collectors forum, a customer service representative was quoted as saying that no date was available for the resumption of printing.

Abruptly in mid-August, Linn’s Stamp News announced it was immediately halting the printing of its weekly newspaper and it would only be available online. The announcement said SSM would continue to be printed and mailed to subscribers who had chosen that option.

Amos Media chairman of the board Rick Amos (left) apologized for the lack of communication with its readers.

“We’ve had an issue with our printer and several times over the past month we thought it had been resolved. It now has and Scott Stamp Monthly will return soon,” he told The Virtual Stamp Club in an email on November 22, which was in response to a query from The VSC. “We are waiting for the date in which the December issue will be mailed to subscribers. Once we do the dates will be published on our website and sent via email to our subscribers.”

Although Amos told The VSC that “no decision has been made yet if we will still print the October and November issues,” an email to subscribers in early December said those issues, plus September 2024, will not be printed. Print subscribers will have their subscriptions extended and advertisers will receive at 30% credit toward future advertising (but not a refund. (We point out that ads did appear in the digital editions.)

“We are pleased to announce that the Scott Stamp Monthly December issue will be mailed during the week of December 16th,” said the message, signed “The Linn’s and Scott Team.” “Furthermore, the Scott Specialized and Classic catalogues will be mailed sometime in January and February 2025.”

Contributors (freelance writers) have not been paid since June and have not heard from Amos Media about this matter.

The Scott books are the major catalogues for stamp collectors in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The first Scott catalogue was a 21-page pricelist in 1886 by New York City stamp dealer John Walter Scott. Scott Publishing was acquired by Amos in 1984 and the operations moved to Sidney, Ohio, near Dayton. Today, the catalogue is six volumes plus related specialty catalogues and thousands of pages and costs nearly $700 from the Amos website (list price $1,034.92).

The major catalogue publisher for British Commonwealth issues, Stanley Gibbons, also has been in financial trouble, reorganizing in December 2023 to relieve itself of a debt burden. (The Linn’s Stamp News story is here.)

Annual Holiday (Secular Christmas) Issue (U.S. 2025)

Posted on November 17, 2024 by VSC

Nothing about this issue has been announced or confirmed, but The Virtual Stamp Club will go out on an evergreen limb and say that there will be such an issue and that it will likely be at least four stamps and have the word “holiday” in its name. While no references will be made in the promotional material to “Christmas,” the designs will have symbols associated with that holiday and the word “seasonal” will be used several times.

However, stamps for the Madonna and Child, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are unlikely, inasmuch as these seem to be on a two-year cycle and stamps for these subjects were issued in 2024.

Boston 2026 (U.S. 2025)

Posted on November 17, 2024 by VSC

A stamp or stamps will be issued to promote the upcoming International stamp show in the U.S. The first day will be either the first or second day of Great American Stamp Show, i.e., August 17 or 18. No announcement has been made by the USPS and no further details are available at this time. Shown here is the Boston 2026 logo, not the stamp design.

Winter Landscapes (US 2025)

Posted on November 16, 2024 by VSC

From the USPS press release November 15, 2024:

Offered in booklets of 20, these five stamps feature photographs of iconic winter landscapes from around the country. Ethel Kessler, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using images from various photographers.