Can you use vintage stamps as real postage? Will my letters be delivered?

This is an easy one… YES! Vintage postage, no matter what year it was printed, is valid and will work. The only caveat is it must be unused and it must be from your country of origin. Meaning, people in Australia can’t use US postage to mail letters. People in the United States can’t use British postage to mail letters. But if you want to use a 3 cent stamp printed in 1935 to mail your letter, then ABSOLUTELY do it! Just make sure the face value of your combined postage reaches the required amount. See current prices here.

I’m getting married! How do I choose my stamps?

I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to help you with this! Curating custom postage sets for brides is my favorite thing to do. The process starts with you telling me how much postage you need per invite (usually 2oz rate, sometimes more), then I want to know what color palette/themes you want, and when you need the stamps.

But I need A LOT of stamps.

That’s no problem! I have access to every stamp you could want in any quantity. Keep in mind that USPS prints millions to billions of every stamp they issue.

I want my stamps to be hand-cancelled and not run through the post office machine. What do I do?

Become best friends with your post office clerks! Start with the knowledge that every post office is busy and understaffed. Approach the clerks on a day and time when they are not busy and they will gladly take the time to hand cancel your letters with you. Tips: don’t go right when they open or at lunch, and know that December is always going to be a difficult time.

How much postage do I need to mail a letter?

See current postage rates here. Postage is calculated by ounces, so anything under 1oz will require a forever stamp or the current equivalent. Any letter between 1oz and 2oz will require 2oz worth of postage, etc.

Does the sticky gum on the back of the stamps still work?

Well, yes, but…. some of the gum is very, very old and in a lot of cases made with things you may not want to ingest. I always recommend using a glue stick to adhere stamps!

Where do you get all of these cool stamps?

I got started in stamp collecting when I had my first baby. I was looking for a quiet hobby that would help keep my need-to-learn-about-things-constantly gene satisfied. Stamps are such a fun way to learn about history, geography and world culture! I joined my local stamp club here in Charlotte and became well connected through my friends there. I highly recommend you do this same.