Inspector General Seeks Public Opinion on Harry Potter stamps

The Washington Post reports, "The U.S. Postal Service‘s inspector general is seeking public opinion about the recently released Harry Potter stamps as a test of how Americans feel about a new commercial direction for postage."

According to reporter Lisa Rein, "Inspector General David Williams  is asking stamp fans to weigh in on its blog and wondering whether the fictional British boy wizard created by author J.K. Rowling will 'cast a spell' on young collectors as the Postal Service hopes."

Rein pens, "The Washington Post first reported that the choice of Harry Potter by the Postal Service’s new marketing team had brought attention to an ongoing  battle between the marketers and a committee of high-powered cultural figures that has recommended images for new stamps for half a century. The staff  bypassed the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee in choosing Harry Potter, as it has for several other stamps."

Some of the things the Inspector General would like to know include;

• Should the Postal Service market stamp images that focus on a younger audience in hopes of reaching beyond traditional collectors and generating sales?

• Should the Postal Service be allowed to develop themes and images that do not focus on American heritage for the sake of sales?

• Or, should stamps be works of art and pieces of history and not based on fads or celebrities?

• What stamp images would you like to see?

To read the entire article, click here.

To voice your opinion on the Postal Inspector's blog, click here.