Each year around 35 new stamps are issued in the United States. Although I don’t collect stamps anymore, I still delight in seeing my favorite fictional characters, captivating scenery, and handsome portraits on stamps. My love affair with stamps started when I was 10.

 My First Stamp Collection 

 In today’s era of e-mail, why do I care about postage stamps

I still relish receiving real mail with decorative stamps. Yet, I see far too many forever flag stamps (always in style) proudly waving and promptly ignored by the recipient because it’s a bill or junk mail. Surprise me and send me envelopes carrying miniature pieces of art, picturesque waterfalls, and     portraits of real-life heroes like the notorious RBG.

    Stamps reflect what we as Americans value—our heroes, artists, writers, athletics, and landscapes. Our history. Our integrity. Our innovation.

    In fact, the USPS stamp program suggests stamp subjects should “celebrate the American experience” but only positive experiences, please.

 People of all backgrounds and professions make ideal stamp subjects such as Willa Cather, Louisa May Alcott, John Muir, Langston Hughes, Sally Ride, and Harry S. Truman (I’m a writer and poet from the Show Me State.) Candidates for stamps are eligible three years after their death. On the upside, the person lives forever once they are on a stamp.  

    I am curious about who decides what goes on our stamps. According to the USPS, there is a stamp selection committee that votes on the subjects submitted. How tough is the competition? (The Post Office issues around 35 stamps each year.) What would those committee member debates sound like?

   "We must focus on threatened species this year.”

    “Gray fox?”

     “Humboldt penguin?”

    “What about the manatees?”  

    Well, I’ll let you imagine the topics and the time.

    The average person will never know because the committee meetings are secret. Guidelines and goals are in place to serve the public and the collector.    

    Which brings me to why I started thinking about stamps. I found my stamp collection books.  The earliest one features my 10-year-old handwriting on faded construction paper with red, white, and blue sparkly star stickers. Open it up to find white-lined notepaper pages displaying cancelled stamps from around the world: Ghana, Malaysia, Peru, Indonesia, Italy, and the Netherlands. All these stamps were so exotic.     

    Beside the books, I pick up a stack of thin, lightweight air-mail envelopes with German stamps. These are my cousin’s letters during her career as a musician playing French horn in a German orchestra.  

    So many stamps with stories. I am grateful my family supported my passion and obsession for stamps.  

    I was a nerdy kid who loved saving stamps and using a magnifying glass. Collecting stamps is a wholesome hobby judging by the cover of “My First Stamp Album” featuring a boy scout carrying a flag, a girl scout cadet, and a dog. I can also vouch that this activity is safer than roller skating, bike riding, or playing soft ball.  

    "Through stamps you can visit the courts of kings and queens, take a safari through the jungles of Africa, ..." claims the book. 

    My interest in stamps collecting is thanks to a family friend who worked for the post office – Mr. Oliver. He was an avid outdoorsman, a gardener, beekeeper, and Christmas tree farmer. (I still picture him tilling the garden with my father.)

    But Mr. Oliver’s influence is evident because I have three books full of stamps. Although I treasure them, they hold little value to a philatelist. According to my internet search, the pristine album is worth about $11. Real life isn’t like the movies.   

    One of my favorite movies is “Charade” with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. Why? Spoiler alert: Stamps have a surprisingly worthy role in this 1963 mystery.   

    As for the role of stamps in my life, it’s no mystery. I’ll keep using the latest stamps with the hope that the recipient receives my decorated letter and smiles.