Stamp Market Tips by Henry Gitner and Rick Miller
It's Stanley Cup Finals season, and young (and not-so-young) fans have their hearts set on ice hockey. At the time this column was written in early June, the Florida Panthers were making their third appearance in the Finals and looking to win their first National Hockey League championship.
The Stanley Cup dates back to 1893 and is far older than the World Series, the National Football League Championship (and its successor, the Super Bowl), and the National Basketball Association (NBA) Championship.
On October 20, 2017, the United States Postal Service issued a set of two no-denomine (49-cent) Ice Hockey History Permanent Commemorative Stamps (Scott 5252-5253) and two commemorative sheets (5253c).
The stamps and commemorative sheet were lithographically printed by Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd. and feature a luminous tag and a gauge 11 serpentine die-cut.
The stamps, designed by Subplot Designs, were issued in a set of 20. The designs feature modern players in helmets and protective gear, along with classic players in soft hats and scarves.
The stamp features a tetebeche (French for head to tail), giving the illusion of the players reflecting each other on the ice.
Scott A specialized catalogue of United States stamps and covers An unused panel of 20 ice hockey history stamps is valued at $26, but postage is $14.60 after the July 14 first-class postage rate increase from 68 cents to 73 cents. Unused panels of 20 are selling for up to $20.
The catalog price for a mint souvenir sheet is $2.60. Demand for souvenir sheets is somewhat higher, with some selling for up to $4.
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