Fascinating analysis of just one type of gimmick stamp! Of course it remains to be seen whether any will ever show up postally used and, if so, if it's even possible to obtain used without damage...

Right. And then, unless it was used on a parcel that called for that much postage, it would djust wind up with the stigma of "philatelic usage."

Hi Ted, new subscriber and collector here. This is a Great post; I had no idea about this trend. Gimmicky? Yes, but a bargain compared to the gimmicky coins issued by the US mint.