For months, you have been hearing of the latest postage rate increase from the USPS. And if you haven't gone out and bought your Forever stamps in anticipation, then you are too late. Today, May 12, 2008, the cost of mailing has increased to 42¢. In addition, the cost of postcards, certified mail, and first class international mail has also gone up. A detailed listing of the new United States postage rates can be found in the stamp Rate Change Table under the News and Culture section.

Interested in learning how the cost of postage has changed over the years? Since the mid 19th century the cost of mailing a letter in the United States has gone from 3¢ per half ounce to 42¢ per ounce. Fallow the price highs and lows of U.S. postage in the History of United States Postage Rates Table.

Suggested Reading:
Calculate USPS Mailing Costs
USPS Price Change Information
Buy Forever Stamps Online

On May 17, 2008, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the United States Postal Service will release a pane of 20 42¢ stamps commemorating Minnesota Statehood. Designed by Ethel Kessler with photography by Richard Hamilton, the stamp issue features a photograph of the view just northwest of the city of Winona. Winona was settled in 1851 and by 1860 became one of the largest towns in Minnesota. The image is a striking view of the city: a large bridge spanning the Mississippi River with the islands of the Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge filling the background. The stamp issue is a wonderful addition to the statehood issues of prior years, and the design is sure to honor 150 years of statehood. The Minnesota Statehood issue can be pre-ordered from the USPS website until May 17, 2008 where it will then be available at local post offices.

In less than one week, on May 12, 2008, the cost of mailing a letter will increase by one penny. And the cost for other services, such as advertising mail, periodicals, and special package services will also change. With this latest price increase, many postal consumers are starting to invest in Forever stamps, which can be purchased at one rate and used indefinitely. To meet this expected demand, the U.S. Postal Service is going to keep 5 billion Forever stamps in stock prior to the May 12th increase. But this guide wonders, are stocking up on Forever stamps worth saving a few pennies?

Selected Prices & Services	Current	New (Effective May 12)
First-Class Mail Letter (1 oz.)	41¢	42¢
First-Class Mail Letter (2 oz.)	58¢	59¢
Postcard	26¢	27¢
Large Envelope (2 oz.)	97¢	$1.00
Money Orders (up to $500)	$1.05	$1.05
Certified Mail	$2.65	$2.70
First-Class Mail International Letter (1 oz. to Canada and Mexico)	69¢	72¢
First-Class Mail International Letter (1 oz. to other countries)	90¢	94¢

Proposed rates courtesy the United States Postal Service. An up-to-date rate table can be found in the News and Culture section.

Have a special lady on your list? Not sure what to get your favorite woman this Mother's Day? From stamp themed sugar cookies to postage stamp teddy bears, find the gift she'll love to have on her special day. And while your at it, why not pick up a little something for yourself?

On April 22, 2008, the United States Postal Service will release a set of five commemorative stamps honoring five distinguished journalists: Martha Gellhorn, John Hersey, George Polk, Ruben Salazar, and Eric Sevareid. These five individuals reported on some of the most important stories of the 20th century, working in radio, television, or print. The stamps, designed by Howard E. Paine of Delaplane, Virginia, will be available in sheets of 20 stamps from your local post office, the USPS website, or by calling 1-800-STAMP24.

Paul Henry (1876 - 1958) is most known for his ability to capture the quality of light in his landscape paintings. Born in Belfast, Henry studied art at the Belfast School of Art and the Academie Julian in Paris under James McNeill Whistler. His enchantment with landscapes came about when he was in holiday in Achill Island, County Mayo and today can be found throughout Ireland reproduced as posters, postcards, and many other items. On April 17, 2008 An Post released a se-tenant strip of four stamps featuring the West Ireland Landscape and Connemara Village. The stamps can be purchased from the Irish Stamps website in the form of a se-tenant strip of four, a sheetlet of sixteen, a first day cover, and a prestige booklet.

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: April 17, 2008
Denomination: 55¢
Designer: Ger Garland
Stamp Size: 36mm x 36mm
Color: Multicolor with phosphor tagging
Make-up: Sheetlets of 16
Perforations: 13.5 x 13.5
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd.

Spiders and bugs may make you squirm or may spark your curiosity, but despite your reaction these little creepy crawlies are an important part of our ecosystem. There are millions of insect species in the world, and unfortunately many are endangered. Many conservationists and scientists have work hard to secure the future of these many legged creatures. And thanks to their efforts many species are flourishing. To highlight the plight of our insect world and the importance of conservation, Royal Mail will release a set of Insects Special Stamps on April 15, 2008. From the bright blue beauty of butterflies to the spine shivering jaws of the beetle, Royal Mail has captured the essence of these tiny creatures on ten different brilliantly illustrated stamps.

Available Products:
Set of Ten Ministamps
Set of Ten Stamp Cards
First Day Cover
Presentation Pack

Suggested Reading:
2008 Worldwide Postage Stamp Releases
2008 Great Britain Stamp Program
2008 Canada Stamp Program

Starting May 12, 2008 the cost of mailing will increase slightly. What does this mean for those of us who mail out letters on a regular basis? It means we can expect to pay slightly more when we mail out our bills and letters next month. It also means a higher demand for the recently produced Forever stamp, which can be purchased at one rate and is good, well, forever. To meet this expected demand, the U.S. Postal Service is going to keep 5 billion Forever stamps in stock prior to the May 12th increase.

While many of us are moaning and growing about the increase, according to the USPS, there are a few upsides to the changes taking place in May. The following pricing highlights are courtesy of the United States Postal Service:

• Express Mail is switching to a zone-based pricing system, resulting in customers paying less for nearby destinations.
• Priority Mail will have an average 3.5 percent savings for customers who use electronic postage or meet other requirements.
• Parcel Select will feature pricing and volume incentives for large- and medium-size shippers.
• Parcel Return Service will move entirely to a weight based pricing system, resulting in significant price reductions for many lighter packages.
• No change in the First-Class Mail single-piece additional-ounce price.
• Lower additional-ounce price for presorted First-Class Mail letters.
• Lower pound price for Standard Mail saturation and high-density flats.
• Shape-based pricing for First-Class Mail International letters, flats, and parcels.
• First-Class Mail International price groups expand from five to nine groups.

In my opinion, however, the benefits of the price changes seem to only affect companies or individuals who mail out large volumes of letters and packages. With pricing incentives for large shippers and high-density flats, we can expect one thing for sure in May: a larger volume of junk mail in our mail box.

Stamp catalogs are an important part of any collector's collection. From stamp identification to pricing to collecting information, todays stamp catalogs are more than just a list of numbers, they are an essential reference guide. Whether you are just starting out in the hobby or are a long term collector, finding the right catalog to suite your needs can be a bit of a trial and error process. However, with a little bit of shopping know how, you can find your perfect fit. Looking for a way to identify a particular stamp issue? You may want to buy a US/BNA or a Scott Catalogue. Want strictly a stamp price guide? Then the Brookman or the Blackbook catalogs may be what you need. Whether you collect first day covers, Canadian issues, Errors, or Proofs, there is a stamp catalog out there to suit your needs. Have a favorite catalog not reviewed by your guide? Leave a comment!

The International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship will be held for the first time in Canada as the federation marks its 100th anniversary. Originated in Canada, ice hockey has become one of the most recognized sports around the world and Canada is known the world over as a country of excellence in the sport. This year Team Canada hopes to bring home the gold as it competes with the world's best hockey teams in Halifax and Quebec City from May 2nd through the 18th. Canada Post features both host cities on two separate stamp booklets and first day covers. In addition, Team Canada is highlighted with a comic-book style stamp design that is sure to capture the eyes of stamp collectors and hockey fans alike. The IIHF World Championship issue is available from the Canada Post website, as well as, by calling 1-800-565-4362 or writing to:

National Philatelic Centre, Canada Post
75 St. Ninian St.
Antigonish NS B2G 2R8
Canada

Available Products:
Item# 413718111 Booklet of 10 (Quebec City)
Item# 413719111 Booklet of 10 (Halifax)
Item# 413718131 First Day Cover (Quebec City)
Item# 413719131 First Day Cover (Halifax)

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: April 3, 2008
Denomination: 52¢
Layout: Booklet of 10
Designer: Lionel Gadoury and Dave Hurds, Context Creative
Illustrator: Ho Che Anderson
Printer: Lowe-Martin
Quantity: 1,250,000 of each booklet, 20,000 of each FDC
Dimensions: 41.25 mm x 24.75 mm
Perforations: Simulated
Gum Type: Pressure Sensitive
Printing Process: Lithography in 7 colors
Paper Type: Tullis Russell
Tagging: General, 4 Sides
Official First Day Cover: Quebec City, Quebec and Halifax, Nova Scotia