Linn's Stamp News
Encyclopedia
Linn's Stamp News an American publication, is the largest weekly newspaper
for stamp collectors
, with a paid circulation of just over 46,000 Circulation peaked at almost 92,000 in 1978 and has declined ever since because fewer new collectors are subscribing to replace those who subscribed in the 1950s to 1970s period. It is published by Amos Press, who also publish the Scott
stamp catalogs.
of rare items, significant new discoveries, philatelic controversies, and oddball news, such as a high price paid for an obvious fake put up on eBay
.
Each issue has additional news stories inside, typically of limited or specialized interest. The bulk of the content, however, is in about a dozen regular features and an additional two dozen departments.
While many of the regular features go into more depth on traditional philatelic topics such as airmail
or postmark
s, several are notable:
The "Stamp Events Calendar" and "Auction Calendar" indicate forthcoming events.
Finally, there is a classified advertising
section. A famous alumnus of this section is founder of Dell Computer, Michael Dell
, who sold stamps here at the age of 12.
Linns now is produced by Amos Advantage, the owners of Scott Publishing Co., which also produces Scott Stamp Monthly magazine. Linns' only significant, independently-owned rival in the U.S. is Global Stamp news.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
for stamp collectors
Stamp collecting
Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects. It is one of the world's most popular hobbies, with the number of collectors in the United States alone estimated to be over 20 million.- Collecting :...
, with a paid circulation of just over 46,000 Circulation peaked at almost 92,000 in 1978 and has declined ever since because fewer new collectors are subscribing to replace those who subscribed in the 1950s to 1970s period. It is published by Amos Press, who also publish the Scott
Scott catalogue
The Scott catalogue of postage stamps, published by Scott Publishing Co, a subsidiary of Amos Press, is updated annually and lists all the stamps of the entire world which its editors recognize as issued for postal purposes. It is published in six large volumes and is also produced in...
stamp catalogs.
Description
The front page of the newspaper features major news in the stamp world, including significant new stamp issues around the world, major auctionsPhilatelic auction
A philatelic auction, or stamp auction is a sale of stamps, covers and other philatelic material usually run by stamp dealers or specialist collectibles auctioneers, such as, David Feldman, Christie's and Sotheby's, where prospective purchasers place bids in an attempt to obtain the desired...
of rare items, significant new discoveries, philatelic controversies, and oddball news, such as a high price paid for an obvious fake put up on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
.
Each issue has additional news stories inside, typically of limited or specialized interest. The bulk of the content, however, is in about a dozen regular features and an additional two dozen departments.
While many of the regular features go into more depth on traditional philatelic topics such as airmail
Airmail
Airmail is mail that is transported by aircraft. It typically arrives more quickly than surface mail, and usually costs more to send...
or postmark
Postmark
thumb|USS TexasA postmark is a postal marking made on a letter, package, postcard or the like indicating the date and time that the item was delivered into the care of the postal service...
s, several are notable:
- "The Insider", by Les Winick, reports on and analyzes behind-the-scenes politics, whether it be hobbyist organizations wrangling over how to pay the bills for a money-losing stamp show, or direct-mail industry lobbyists cutting deals in Washington DC.
- "Kitchen Table Philately", by a pseudonymous writer "E. Rawolik" ("kiloware" backwards), reports on the contents of stamp mixtures (aka kilowareKilowareKiloware is a term for packages of postage stamps sold to stamp collectors by weight rather than by quantity, often in kilograms, hence the name...
) bought from dealers advertising in Linn's, using counts and pricing to determine whether a particular mixture was good value or overpriced. - "Collector's Forum" is about unusual stamps or usages reported by mystified collectors. In some cases the Linn's staff can answer easily; in other cases, the answer comes from another collector in a subsequent "Forum Update".
- "Stamps on the Internet" reports on online resources, like the "Glassine Surfer" column in The American PhilatelistThe American PhilatelistThe American Philatelist, published by the American Philatelic Society, is one of the world's oldest philatelic magazine still in operation; its first issue dates from January 10, 1887....
. - "Stamp Market Tips" reports on stamps that are rising in price and may be worth buying soon.
The "Stamp Events Calendar" and "Auction Calendar" indicate forthcoming events.
Finally, there is a classified advertising
Classified advertising
Classified advertising is a form of advertising which is particularly common in newspapers, online and other periodicals which may be sold or distributed free of charge...
section. A famous alumnus of this section is founder of Dell Computer, Michael Dell
Michael Dell
Michael Saul Dell is an American business magnate and the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Dell Inc. He is the 44th richest person in the world, with a net worth of US$14.6 billion in 2011, based primarily on the 243.35 million shares of Dell stock worth $3.5 billion that he owns,...
, who sold stamps here at the age of 12.
Format changes
The periodical's format changed in 2006-7. Page dimensions shrank in two steps. Despite use of a small typeface, the length of feature articles shrank accordingly. In the most recent of the two reincarnations, the change in production technique allowed for a expanded use of color. Subscribers can read the complete contents online; a free monthly emailed newsletter contains excerpts.Linns now is produced by Amos Advantage, the owners of Scott Publishing Co., which also produces Scott Stamp Monthly magazine. Linns' only significant, independently-owned rival in the U.S. is Global Stamp news.