Hoban double and joint issue

I just received the May 2006 issue of Scott Stamp Monthly. In it, editor Michael Baadke writes about how the Postal Service is "recycling" stamp designs. He says that using the same design over again with a different denomination is nothing new and that USPS will continue the tradition this year with both the Purple Heart and Ronald Reagan stamps.

However, in 1981 "something very strange happened," says Baadke.

"A stamp for White House architect James Hoban was scheduled for release two weeks before a postage rate increase. That may not have been the best way to plan it, the follow-up decision was simply weird."

He goes on to write, "The Postal service printed nearly identical Hoban stamps and released them on the same day: one valued at 18c that would be worthwhile for about a fortnight, and another valued at 20c that could be used after the rates went up."

One possible explanation for this was that the Hoban commemorative was the first joint issue with Ireland and the Postal Service simply wanted to have a stamp that would be around awhile.

For more on Hoban and the double and joint issue, click here.