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Here's the closest I could come, so far, with a maximum card with a US customized postage ("personalized stamp") onto which I could superimpose, if I really want, a small picture of President Obama.
Such a maximum card is not meant to circulate thru the mail from now on, so don't you jump on me and tell me that I am not allowed to "deface" a blank zazzle stamp, or "face" it in this case.
Yes, we are not supposed to obscure any part of a mint USPS stamp that goes into the mailstream.
With a zazzle stamp and such, what matters for the mailstream is actually the black and white square pattern (IBI= information-based indicia) with encrypted franking value, which is supposed to be voided by the scanner of the Post.
Could a design not pre-approved (with a cut-out image glued onto the center of a blank zazzle stamp) still get thru the mail, whether it's supposed to, or not?
One way to find out.
Why shouldn't USPS allow, like New Zealand Post and Israel Post did, postage with a blank area where the user can draw, etc., at their own will and at their own responsibility, including legal, if there is any break of a law?
See more cool stamps, personalized or not, here. Navigate.
Another example, with my zazzle stamp on a transparency rectangle, temporarily superimposed on the postcard.
USPS, change your rule about "no living persons featured on stamps."
You want only DEAD people on stamps? WTH? :)
It's nice to see stamps with people still alive, full of life, alive and kicking...:)
Even if they are politicians or any other kind of (positive) celebrities.
"New Handbook: Barack Obama on Worldwide Stamps June 2010
The American Topical Association released its 160th handbook on topical collecting in Denver at the National Topical Stamp Show. Released in June, the new handbook is the seventh in the long-running series written by Melvin Morris. The new handbook will be of special interest to collectors of Americana, US Presidents, Black history on stamps, and politically-related philatelic issues. It covers the period of time between Obama's announcement of his intent to run for US President and his selection as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in late 2009. Obama consists of 96 , fully color illustrated pages, with eight short chapters and 113 high-quality illustrations. Stamps from 30 different countries are listed and illustrated. Chapter titles include “Senator Obama's, Free Franks,” “Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize,” “The Coming of "Bo" Obama,” and “Michelle Obama Stamps.” This handbook will be a fine visual reference for philatelic bookshelves. Morris was the editor of Americana Philatelic News, newsletter of ATAs Americana Unit, from 1992 thru 2009. He is a retired high school and college teacher and was an editor for Grolier’s Encyclopedia International. His collecting interests include the US Presidents and also dogs on stamps. His brief biography in the Obama handbook relates the story of how he collected stamps before he was born! Orders for the new ATA handbook should be sent to ATA, PO Box 8, Carterville, IL 62918-0008 for Payments by Check or Money Order. MasterCard, Visa, Discover and PayPal orders can be called into the ATA Central Office at 618-985-5100 or to americantopical@msn.com."
Luckily for me, I am not a celebrity.
So, while President BARACK OBAMA does NOT appear on any "US postage", a nobody citizen like me already appears on 5 different designs!
How crazy is that? :)
You, too, can have your picture on personalized stamps!
If I did it, then anybody* can do it!
*= certain exceptions apply.
I would argue that even a politician or other celebrity MIGHT be able to persuade "zazzle and such" to approve a stamp design, created by:
- the celebrities themselves (as private citizens entitled to design customized stamps)
- or by a private designer , by (short email) permission
[I did that already, for friends/partners/clients from 3 continents :)].
For example:
"I, [YOUR NAME HERE], hereby authorize Dorin Cojocariu (USA) to design stamps and postcards with images of myself, pre-approved by me."
Once I receive this email from you or your agent/lawyer, I would forward this to "zazzle and such", as a response to their email asking me IF I have permission from the copyright holder.
Your email address will be verified by "zazzle and such", so that they can have on record your electronic permission for me to create stamps and postcards (for example) with your image(s).
C, as in CREATIVITY, Creative Workarounds, Customized Postage...:)
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