The US Postal Service thought it would be an exciting idea to intentionally "misprint" some of its recent "Inverted Jenny" commemorative stamps, with the famous upside down biplane flying right side up.
But it seems that stamp collectors, the intended audience, are not impressed. A commentary in this week's Linn's Stamp News by Scott catalog editor Charles Snee says the gimmick "exposes the lack of understanding that the Postal Service exhibits toward the hobby and collectors".
Letters to the editor from collectors agreed, with one reader criticizing the USPS for "playing games with our hobby", and another suggesting that the USPS had "finally shot itself in the foot".
While the 100 "misprinted" panes will certainly rise in value thanks to their scarcity, that won't be reflected in the Scott catalog, considered the bible of the stamp collecting hobby. Editor Snee noted when the stamps were announced that Scott's listing policy excludes "intentional varieties created in small quantities". As far as Scott is concerned, the "exciting" stamps will merit a mere footnote in the catalog.
Read more: Linn's Stamp News.
No they weren't- Nagisa Manabe, who's responsible for the stamp program, came to the USPS from Coca Cola Japan.
I so disagree with Scott. Who wouldn't like to get the invert? This is stupid.
Why should they change their rules for this particular issue?
Another Nagisa Manabe disaster. What has she done right???