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Strategic Alliances.

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries.

Countries sometimes issue stamps for the same famous person or historical anniversary.
These are called “joint issues,” and Ross Olsen of Edina, Minnesota, collects them.

“Usually the design is the same, or very similar, and they’re usually issued on the
same day.”
RUNS :09

The United States has participated in about three dozen of these over the years, the
first in 1959.

“It was between the United States and Canada for the construction or completion of the
St. Lawrence Seaway.”
RUNS :09

Sometimes it’s more than just two countries.

“There have been several occasions where even three or even four post offices have been
involved.”
RUNS :06

Olsen say it’s not enough for two countries to issue stamps on the same subject.

“There has to be an official agreement between each of the participating post offices.”
RUNS :06

We’re not seeing as many joint issues these days....

“It costs the post offices a good deal of money to get involved in this kind of thing.”
RUNS :05

—money for international travel to promote stamp collecting that postal agencies rarely
have as mail volume decreases.

“They heyday of these was really in the late 70s and early 80s, where several of them
were put out each year.”
RUNS :09

Olsen has an award-winning exhibit of joint-issue first day covers —the commemorative
envelopes that document the issuance of stamps.

I'm Lloyd de Vries of The Virtual Stamp Club. For more on stamps and stamp collecting,
visit virtual-stamp-club-dot-com.

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