Category Archives: Collector’s Items

Let’s Celebrate “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” With A Contest

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SingleThis year marks the 105th anniversary of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” The iconic tune debuted in 1908 and since then has become a staple at American ballparks. (To celebrate the song’s 100th anniversary in 2008, USPS issued the 42-cent Take Me Out to the Ball Game stamp.) Have you been singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” since you were a child? Well, it’s time to test your knowledge of the song.

If you can correctly answer all three of the following questions, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win one copy of Play Ball! A Celebration of Baseball’s Greatest Moments. This wonderful 8½” x 11”, 40-page softbound book features the vivid paintings of artist Graig Kreindler, as well as 16 collectible stamps: the 2001 Legendary Playing Fields (10), the 2010 Negro Leagues Baseball (2), and the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Stars (4) stamps.

Play Ball book
Let’s get started!

1. Singer/songwriter Jack Norworth was inspired to write the lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” after seeing a sign for an upcoming game at which now-closed ballpark?

2. Which famous radio announcer helped start the Wrigley Field tradition of singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch of every game? 

3. In the 1949 film Take Me Out to the Ball Game which two stars, who were known for their acting and singing prowess, belted out a verse of the titular song?

For this contest we’re trying something a little different. To enter, send your answers, along with your name and address, to: USPS Stamps, 1300 Mercantile Ln, Ste 139C, Largo MD 20774.

Of those who answer correctly, two people will be randomly chosen to receive a copy of Play Ball! If you don’t know all the answers this time around, don’t worry. You’ll have several more chances to win over the course of the season. Entries must be postmarked by Saturday, June 8. Good luck!

We’re Giving Away Another Vintage Seed Packet

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It’s time to give away another vintage seed packet! Today’s prize is the digitalis packet.

DSC03546The front of the seed packet depicts stalks of yellow, pink, and coral digitalis. The back of the packet describes the flower in more detail:

A very beautiful and interesting old fashioned plant whose culture is very simple. The bell-shaped flowers borne on long spikes make an exceedingly handsome and stately border.

To win the digitalis seed packet, all you have to do is answer one question: What is the common name for digitalis?

Email your answer, along with your name and address, to uspsstamps [at] gmail [dot] com. One winner will be selected at random. The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, May 15. (NOTE: The digitalis seed packet is empty; no seeds are included.)

The correct answer is Foxglove. Congratulations to Chad Crabtree, the lucky winner of the vintage digitalis seed packet! Check back next week for another chance to win.

After today there will only be four more chances to win. Check back next week for another vintage seed packet giveaway.

The Vintage Seed Packets stamps are Forever® stamps. (Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce rate.) Find them in your neighborhood Post Office, or order them online today.

Kentucky Derby and Oaks Collectibles Now Available

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Good news for fans of horse racing! USPS is selling commemorative envelopes marking the running of the 2013 Kentucky Derby and Oaks races, and the accomplishments of 2011 Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom.

The collectibles include envelopes with wide-angle images from last year’s Kentucky Oaks winner, Believe You Can, and Kentucky Derby winner, I’ll Have Another, along with Churchill Downs Kentucky Oaks and Derby logos.

news09s4-largeAlso available is a commemorative envelope and a limited-edition matted art piece celebrating Animal Kingdom’s victory. The art piece features a close-up color photo taken during the race.

The matted art piece is available for $40 plus an additional $10 handling fee while supplies last. The commemorative envelopes are available for $10 plus an additional $3 handling fee while supplies last.

Click here for the order forms and instructions.

Calendula Seed Packet Giveaway

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The Vintage Seed Packets stamps released in April are proving to be the perfect stamps for springtime correspondence. Let’s keep the cheer blooming (ahem) with another giveaway. The zinnia and aster seed packets have already been claimed. Today’s prize is the calendula packet.

DSC03544The front of the seed packet depicts a vibrant orange calendula. The back of the packet describes the flower in more detail:

Hardy annual, of the easiest growth and blooms all the time. Produces a cheery, brilliant and showy effect in beds or for borders and is highly esteemed for cut flowers.

Blooms all the time? Sounds perfect!

To win the calendula seed packet, all you have to do is answer one question: The calendula typically closes its blossoms at what time of day?

Email your answer, along with your name and address, to uspsstamps [at] gmail [dot] com. One winner will be selected at random. The deadline for entries is 11:59 p.m. EDT, Friday, May 10. (NOTE: The calendula seed packet is empty; no seeds are included.)

Congratulations to Curtis Connolly, the lucky winner of the vintage calendula seed packet. Check back next week for another chance to win.

There will be five more chances to win. Check back next week for another seed packet giveaway.

The Vintage Seed Packets stamps are Forever® stamps. (Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce rate.) Find them in your neighborhood Post Office, or order them online today.

“Meet me under the clock!” Building Grand Central Terminal

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Millions of people have marveled at the beauty of New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. But how many know the remarkable story of how it was built?

First Day Cover

If you’re a fan of this New York icon, you might enjoy a first day cover affixed with a Grand Central Terminal Express Mail stamp and an official First Day of Issue postmark. Click the image for more information.

To get started, the New York Central Railroad had to bore deep into Manhattan bedrock to excavate two levels of tunnels, eventually removing some three million cubic yards of material. To pay for the construction, the railroad charged developers for “air rights”: the right to construct buildings over the former open rail yard, which had been paved over. Many of the city’s best-known buildings eventually rose over the site, including the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

Construction of the new Grand Central lasted ten years, from 1903 to 1913. During that time, amazingly, trains continued to come and go without interruption!