Jay Smith & Associates: Sweden: Specialized Stamps: Postage Paid Stamps

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Sweden: Specialized Stamps: Postage Paid Stamps

Scott numbers have been used unless otherwise indicated. All items are available for viewing on approval.

In early 2003, with very little public notice, the Swedish post office created a new type of Swedish stamp, the "Porto Betalt" or Postage Paid stamp. While post offices officials do not use the word "stamp" to describe these stamps, to collectors they are stamps. Two stamps were issued to be used by companies having a "special agreement" with the post office. I have not been able to obtain the details of such agreements nor the exact rules for the use of the stamps. The stamps are intended to be used by companies making mass mailings (the American term is Bulk Mail or Advertising Mail). The concept is that if a stamp is applied to the envelope, the recipient will be more likely to open the envelope and read the advertising. The United States uses similar types of stamps that have a nominal cost with the majority of the postage being paid in cash according to count and weight; such United States stamps are listed in the Scott Catalog and are collected as "normal" stamps. It is not known to philatelists if further stamps will be issued. These first two stamps were presumably made available to large mailers in full rolls (size unknown to me). However, the post office also, relatively quietly, made them available to collectors as a set of two strips of five; singles were not made available. I have not recorded any units larger than a 5-strip. The stamps do bear the name of the post office, "Posten Sverige AB", but not the name of the country, "Sverige", in the usual form found on "normal" postage stamps. The stamps may not be used by individuals or anybody without a "special agreement" with the post office. Any such use would be an "illegal use", however, I have already recorded one cover, used by an individual, that passed through the mail at first uncanceled and then canceled by the receiving post office. I have yet to see an advertising mail cover bearing one of these stamps. Add these stamps to your collection while they are still available at reasonable prices. The best buy is the set of two stamps; the prices of the individual items are different due to topical demand for the Lighthouse stamp and the fact that the stamps were only made available to collectors as sets.

Please Note: The usual shipping and handling charges for small orders do apply to these inexpensive items. To reduce or eliminate shipping costs within the U.S., please consider including other items in your order to arrive at a total order of over $40. Shipping cost information can be found here.

Postage Paid Stamps

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US$

204005