Hologram Stamp FAQ
Hologram Stamp Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a hologram?
This stamp I have looks "3 dimensional", is it a
hologram?
Why aren't more hologram stamps issued?
Where can I get hologram stamps?
What is included in the Hologram Stamp/Postal Stationery list
and what is not?
When I look in a Scott Catalog, how can I tell if a stamp has
a hologram?
A. From Webster's: "a three-dimensional picture that is made on a photographic film or plate without theuse of a camera, that consists of a pattern of interference produced by a split coherent beam of light, andthat for viewing is illuminated with coherent light from behind." What does this mean, a hologram is usuallyprinted on some type of silver foil and the image appears to have layers which move in relation to each other as the viewing angle is changed. Holograms are used as a security device on stamps, credit cards and many other valuables, because they are not easy or cheap to reproduce.
Q. This stamp I have looks "3 dimensional", is it a hologram?
A. Holograms are different from "3-D" like stamps that have 2 different images and by changing the angle you lookat them, one or the other image is seen. These are similar to the littlepictures that you used toget as CrackerJack prizes and have ridges which usually run vertical and cover the entire image. There are many stamps that have been issued with these and other "3-D" effects which are not includedhere. They would fallunder a "3-D" or some other topic.
Q. Why aren't more hologram stamps issued?
A. Expense. Holograms are expensive to produce compared to printing a sheet of stamps with out hologramson them. Stamps with holograms are popular, but when a postal service is trying to milk as much profit as it can from collectors why issue a hologram stamp that will eat into profits, when a regular stamp will make much more. Environmental groups have also expressed concern. When paper is recycled, the foil that holograms are printed on can't be recycled and has to be separated from the rest of the paper. This extra step costs money.
Q. Where can I get hologram stamps?
A. A
lot of times you can start at your local post office. The USPS still sells the
$.32 hologram envelope that pictures
a space shuttle docking at a space station along with a person walking in
space. If not availableat your local post office, they are available from the
"Caves" for $.38 and is #219700.
Stamp dealers are all over the internet. Be
careful, because if they specialize by topic rather than country,the topic
dealers tend to charge more. Sometimes a whole lot more. I guessthis is because
they are offering a convenience, you
don't have to go all over the place looking forhologram stamps. I usually
get better prices from dealers who
specialize by country.
You can also trade stamps with someone else who shares your interest.
I have also bought stamps from auctions on the internet. Be extra careful when doing this, you will be dealing with individuals along with dealers. As I said before, some dealers may charge more than others but an individual may try to rip you off completely. I would recommend watching items for a while to see how much they sell for before bidding on any. Also, if you see me bidding on anything, don't bid against me :-).
Q. What is included in the Hologram Stamp/Postal Stationery list and what is not?
A. Stamps, souvenir sheets or postal stationery that
contain a hologram and are produced by a postal administration. A few holograms
take up the entire stamp or
souvenir sheet, but most are smaller
holographic images, attached to normal paper stamps, souvenirsheets or envelopes. Items that are not included
in the main list are:
1.) First
day covers with a hologram on the envelope.
Please see the Presentation Folders and First Day
Covers with Holograms list for examples of these.
2.) Folders
sold by postal services that contain a hologram but it is not attached to a
stamp. Please see the Presentation Folders and First
Day Covers with Holograms list for examples of these.
3.) Items
that I don't know about. Let me know about these.
There are some items on the list that fall into
a gray area (Finland postcards, Hong
Kong postcards, and Australia gems).
I have included these anyway. The great
thing about stamp collecting is you can collect whatever you want. I would love
to discuss this or any other hologram
stamp topic with you, just drop me an
E-mail message.
Q. When I look in a Scott Catalog, how can I tell if a stamp has a hologram?
A. Most
of the stamps, envelopes and souvenir sheets have a small note following the
listing for the item."No. XXXX has a holographic image. Soaking in water
may affect the hologram." This note is small and very easy to miss. I have also seen listings for hologram
stamps that don't contain this note.
Bozoni Software
Ron Bosbyshell
Keller, TX
APS 148143
BEP 12095
E-mail:
boz27@home.com
