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What's ahead for 2019?

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

Several major countries have announced part — but not all — of their stamp programs. Many
hold back a blockbuster issue or two, to grab as much attention as possible.

The announced U-S stamp program does not include the 50th anniversary of the first moon
landing nor the 150th anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad.
I've heard that a moon issue IS in the works, and I'd hope that a major historical event
like the railroad would be commemorated.

Some people have expressed hope for stamps for the 75th anniversaries of Smokey Bear and
the D-Day Landing. The Postal Service guidelines say anniversaries in 50-year increments
only, but then, the USPS ignores its own guidelines all the time with its pop culture
issues. However, I think Smokey is more likely than D-Day, especially given the one stamp
for all of World War One.

Neither the U-S nor Britain have announced big pop culture issues. I'd count on 'em.

Many postal agencies worldwide, including the U-S, are raising rates. The U-S, however,
is also LOWERING some rates. I doubt most people will notice.

The Trump administration late last year issued recommendations for the Postal Service.
Some were already in effect when the report was written, others are impractical. This is
probably the last you will ever hear about that report!

Of course, some of the news in 2019 is impossible to predict: Deaths, retirements, going
out of business, and so on.

We'll check back at the end of the year, to see how we did.

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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