Stampede of Stamps: Using Vintage Postage in Your Mail

Using vintage postage in snail mail makes it an even more special experience. I have been sending snail mail with vintage postage for the past 7 years so I have learned some tips and tricks that I want to share with you. 

Just a crazy cat lady with her two favorite things in life...... 

Vintage stamps offer a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and themes that you can't get with modern-day forever stamps. Stamps are extraordinary at detailing the social history and trends from that era. Vintage postage stamps also show how postal technology has progressed throughout the ages. Postage stamps are also excellent trackers of political stability within a country. I will do my best to answer using vintage postage stamps in your snail mail. 


Before we get into the nitty-gritty lets first get to know some postal jargon to better familiarize ourselves with postage stamps.

1. Philately: Thes study of and collection of postage stamps
2. Mint: A unused stamp
3. Mint Never Hinged (MNH): A stamp that is in mint condition and has not been stored in a postal album. Hinges are what many collectors use to adhere the stamps onto their albums. 
4. Canceled: A mark through or on part of a postage stamp 
5. Face Value: A stamp that is sold at its exact value

These terms are very helpful when hunting for postage stamps online. You want to make sure you are buying something that you can be used. 

Where do you find vintage postage stamps?
I have found vintage postage stamps at thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, in used books, and online. You can buy unused vintage stamps on Etsy, Amazon, eBay and a variety of other stores. You can also visit your local stamp shop. 

How do I search for Postage Stamps? 

I primarily buy stamps on eBay. Here are the search keywords that I usually use:

•  US Face Value Postage
• MNH Stamp Lot
• US Face Value Stamp lot
• Unused Stamp Lot

When you are buying a stamp lot you will usually get a random variety of stamps. Some dealers sell a specific denomination of stamps. I usually will buy a large stamp lot. The more you spend the cheaper the individual stamp will become. 

Can I reuse postage stamps that haven't been canceled? 

It is illegal to reuse postage stamps. 

WARNING!

Once a postage stamp has been used, it is a federal crime to:

1. Remove, attempt to remove, or assist to remove cancellation marks from postage.
2. Reuse a stamp whether canceled or not.

If you have questions concerning the reuse of postage, please contact your local Postal Inspector.

Title 18, U.S. Code, Sections 471 and 1720

Poster 5 July 2005
PSN 7690-03-000-9182

BUT...You can use postage stamps again for stamp collecting, crafts, decoupage, and other crafty purposes. 

Should I lick a vintage stamp?

Take it from my experience don't! Vintage stamps taste gross and its probably best not to lick them. I highly recommend getting a vintage stamp moistener or using a glue stick. 

What are the current USPS Postal Rates?

I can't say it any better than the USPS... 

Letter Stamps
Standard-sized, rectangular envelopes From $0.55
Square, Oversized, or Unusual Envelopes From $0.70

Postcard Stamps
Standard-sized, rectangular postcards From $0.35

Global Forever® (International)
Standard-sized, rectangular envelopes From $1.15

Make sure when you are using your vintage postage properly add up the value of the stamps so that it is the proper price. 

How do I get involved in stamp collecting?:

The American Philatelist Society is a really amazing group of stamp loving individuals. They provide a lot of resources and information from beginner collectors to the more advanced collector.

What are you waiting for? Go send some more snail mail!