there will be a stamp honoring the heroes of 9/11. It’s a “semi-postal” which means it will cost more than first class postage with the extra going to charity. But it features the 3 firemen raising the flag at Ground Zero – not a painting of any 3 guys, but a photo of 3 living men. Isn’t it illegal (OK, against the guidelines) to have living people depicted on US stamps? I thought any person had to be dead 10 years (except for US Presidents). This will be a real stamp, and good as postage in the US.
From the same source: Stamps or postal stationery hems with added values, referred to as “semi-postals,” shall not be issued. Due to the vast number of worthy fund-raising organizations in existence, it would be difficult to single out specific ones to receive such revenue. There also is a strong U.S. tradition of private fund-raising for charities, and the administrative costs involved in accounting for sales would tend to negate the revenues derived.
So, these guidelines aren’t very hard and fast, are they?
