STANDING ORDER NOTES AND COMMENTS
Setenant issues refer to issues with more than one stamp design. They are usually a block of 4 different stamps, but have been coming out in different formats with increasing regularity. There have been quite a few booklet panes with 5 different stamps. We would treat these as if they were setenant issues not booklet panes if they commemorative issues. If they are regular issues, then we would sent you the format you requested for booklet issues. Artcraft generally produces only one design which serves for singles and composite formats.
Historically, many collectors have preferred pairs on coil issues, but many collect singles as well. One of the hottest areas of collecting in the last 10 years has been Plate Number Coils (PNCs). We normally send out strips of 3 with the plate number in the middle, but some prefer to collect a strip of 5. If you want strips of 5, if available, please make a note on the standing order form.
Regular sheet issues are generally the smaller stamps that are available at the post offices for an indefinite period of time while commemoratives, which are usually larger and are taken off sale after a short time. On denominations larger than $2, we ask you whether you wish the item and request a reasonable deposit to verify your interest.
The postal service is now issuing stamps that are self-adhesive both in panes and coils. A single of either looks the same regardless of its source. Some of the self-adhesive stamps are different versions of some sheet (perforated) commemorative stamps. For example in 1993 the postal service issued the contemporary stamps in both sheet and self-adhesive format. These two forms are recognized by the stamp catalogs as two different issues and assigned different numbers.
Airmail stamps are considered commemoratives since airmail service as such does not exist with in the United States.
It has become more common recently for the postal service to issue embossed envelopes postal stationery in legal (#10) size only. When this happens we will send the legal envelopes. If you don't want them, please so indicate on standing order form.
We hope the above information helps the new collector by providing a better understanding of the new issues and permits you to fill out the standing order form so that it correctly reflects what you would like to receive.
As you can tell by now, we don't believe that one size fits all and we are glad to provide whatever covers and envelopes you want without making you buy anything you don't want.
SERVICE INFORMATION
We provide first day cover service for all new issues in all standard forms (singles, blocks, plate number blocks, pairs, line or number pair or strip of three, se-tenant formats, etc.) for all commemorative and regular issues. The covers are available unaddressed with ARTCRAFT CACHETS. All covers are sent to you under separate cover approximately five or six weeks after issue.
In order to give you the best possible service at the lowest cost, the covers will normally be shipped to you when two or more FDCs can be sent at the same time. The cost for ARTCRAFT cachet covers with stamps having a face value of 37 cents is:
| Singles | $1.80 USD each
| Blocks of 4 | $3.30 USD each
| Plate No. Blocks | $3.70 USD each | | |
A $20 deposit is required for single service and a $30 deposit is required for both block and plate number block service. If multiple service is required, the multiple sum is required.
Please take a few minutes to fill in either the Secure Standing Order Form or the regular Standing Order Form, or print one and enclose it with your deposit so that we may give you the same personalized service we have provided to our customers since 1970.
Smith & Son Home Page
P.O. Box 1531
Las Cruces, NM 88004
E-Mail: smithson@zianet.com
