PhotoStamps
Encyclopedia
PhotoStamps, a product of Stamps.com
, are custom postage stamp
s. The stamps are valid U.S.
postage, bearing a custom photo or graphic provided by the purchaser. PhotoStamps were first made available on August 10, 2004.
There was an initial controversy when PhotoStamps were created in the initial market test depicting various notorious individuals and items, including Monica Lewinsky
's dress,http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0831041_photostamps_1.html but that died down after the company announced more stringent standards and enforcement of them.
September 30, 2004 was the final day for the original market test for PhotoStamps. During the seven and a half weeks in which the product was made available, more than 2,600,000 individual PhotoStamps were ordered, mostly featuring pets, children, and landscapes. These so-called "vanity stamps" were also popular with bride
s-to-be and art designers.
PhotoStamps postage is valid US postage and can be used at any point in the future. As of April 26, 2005, the PhotoStamps program was once again reactivated with USPS approval, and "over 19 million PhotoStamps have been sold" since then.
A "PhotoStamps of the Year" contest was announced, with the winners to be displayed at the Smithsonian.
, NFL, College football
, and the work of Anne Geddes
.
Stamps.com
Stamps.com is a Los Angeles, California-based company that provides Internet-based mailing and shipping services. Stamps.com is a public company and trades on the NYSE exchange under the symbol STMP.- History :On April 13, 1998, the U.S...
, are custom postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s. The stamps are valid U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
postage, bearing a custom photo or graphic provided by the purchaser. PhotoStamps were first made available on August 10, 2004.
There was an initial controversy when PhotoStamps were created in the initial market test depicting various notorious individuals and items, including Monica Lewinsky
Monica Lewinsky
Monica Samille Lewinsky is an American woman with whom United States President Bill Clinton admitted to having had an "improper relationship" while she worked at the White House in 1995 and 1996...
's dress,http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0831041_photostamps_1.html but that died down after the company announced more stringent standards and enforcement of them.
September 30, 2004 was the final day for the original market test for PhotoStamps. During the seven and a half weeks in which the product was made available, more than 2,600,000 individual PhotoStamps were ordered, mostly featuring pets, children, and landscapes. These so-called "vanity stamps" were also popular with bride
Bride
A bride is a woman about to be married or newlywed.The word may come from the Proto-Germanic verb root *brū-, meaning 'to cook, brew, or make a broth' which was the role of the daughter-in-law in primitive families...
s-to-be and art designers.
PhotoStamps postage is valid US postage and can be used at any point in the future. As of April 26, 2005, the PhotoStamps program was once again reactivated with USPS approval, and "over 19 million PhotoStamps have been sold" since then.
A "PhotoStamps of the Year" contest was announced, with the winners to be displayed at the Smithsonian.
PhotoStamps for business
A later phase of the second marketing test allowed the use of business logos on stamps, which had previously been prohibited.http://photo.stamps.com/PhotoStamps/business/Special Licensed PhotoStamps
PhotoStamps currently offers specially licensed logos in association with NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, NFL, College football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
, and the work of Anne Geddes
Anne Geddes
Anne Geddes, MNZM, is an Australian-born photographer, clothing designer and businesswoman who now lives and works in New Zealand. She is known for her stylized depictions of babies and motherhood. Typical images show babies or young children dressed as fairies and fairytale creatures, flowers, or...
.
External links
- PhotoStamps Official Site
- Personal postage becoming popular Postage is getting personal
- Stamps of Approval The Smoking Gun's page of personalized stamps that aren't supposed to exist