One of my guiding principles in life is simple: I don’t buy anything new unless I’d be just as happy owning it used. Of course, there are exceptions—hygiene products and food are best enjoyed fresh—but for most things, the reality is that time will inevitably leave its mark. A crisp white Pilates outfit, for instance, looks pristine straight out of the package but loses that newness after just one wash. A classic pair of Levi’s jeans, on the other hand, only get better with age, retaining their shape and character after fifty washes. That’s why I don’t hesitate to buy them new—they’re built to last.

When I design modern wax seals, I aim for the same enduring quality. My intention is for these seals to become heirlooms, gaining value and character as they are collected and used. Over time, the metal acquires a rich patina, and the handle shows the comforting signs of wear, making the seal even more special. You as the collector will be the person future collector's will think about. They'll wonder who you wrote and what you said, and love cherishing something you held.

(The heirloom VOTE seal arrived this week and I created a just couple extra just in case you'd like one. Please order here in my shop).

Vintage postage stamps hold a similar appeal. Though still functional, they capture specific moments in the American experience, allowing us to infuse our correspondence with greater meaning and character.

Over a decade ago, I lived in Ithaca, New York. The winters there were brutal, but indoors, they provided a cozy, spacious retreat perfect for diving into art, writing, and reading. One day, while wandering near the iconic Moosewood Restaurant, I stumbled upon a tiny, underground numismatist shop. It was about the size of a Real Housewife’s closet—larger than your average closet, but still basically a closet. Among the coins and collectibles, I discovered something unexpected: a collection of mint postage stamps. It felt serendipitous, as if the shopkeeper had set them aside just for me.

During that time, I uncovered a fascinating secret: the U.S. Postal Service overproduced so many stamps in the 20th century that you can buy unused vintage postage at up to 80% off its original face value. These stamps, though decades old, are still in mint condition and can be used today, adding a touch of charm and nostalgia to any piece of mail!

But where do you find these hidden gems? How can you use them creatively? And what makes them truly stand out? These are the questions I explored with Gracie Cote of Enfield Post on this week’s podcast. If you’ve ever been curious about the art of vintage postage, this conversation is not to be missed.

Let's Talk Postage - Meet Gracie Cote

​Gracie Cote is the creative force behind Enfield Post, a unique business dedicated to the art of letter writing incorporating vintage postage.

Gracie curates beautiful postage sets, which center around particular themes and aesthetics. In the podcast episode, she shares her journey and also how she approaches her special curated sets. They're seriously like miniature artworks and provide such delight to their recipients. (Here's her Instagram)

One thing I love about Gracie's work is that she makes vintage postage easy, accessible and beautiful. It takes time and skill to hunt down postage and curating them into a beautiful set is another skill in itself as well. With a background in Art History, Gracie knows how to choose stamps that will work cohesively together so that the themes and aesthetics match well.

Postage stamps often come in sets that include stamps you might not need or want. Gracie carefully curates her collections so you can purchase multiples of your favorite stamps without having to buy the ones you won’t use. This way, you get exactly what you love, without the extras.

​In the podcast episode, we dive into the art of color and composition. We explore the joy of pairing stamps from different eras, carefully selecting vibrant color combinations to craft a unique visual story on each envelope. It's all about creating something special, where each stamp adds its own touch of history and personality to the final design.

I encourage you to follow Gracie on Instagram and dive into the beautiful world she’s created on her Etsy shop. Her website is a treasure trove as well, featuring a blog filled with fascinating history and stunning photography that truly captures the essence of vintage postage.

Here are a few of my favorite stamps from her Etsy shop—where she offers over 300 unique designs. Each one is carefully curated to add a touch of charm and nostalgia to your correspondence.

Glossary of Postage Terminology

The stars (⭐) indicate the most important.

⭐ Block: A group of four or more stamps that are still attached together. A block of stamps, especially in mint condition, can be more valuable than the individual stamps.

Cancelled: A stamp that has been used for postage and bears a postmark or cancellation mark to show that it has been through the postal system. Cancelled stamps are often collected for their historical value and unique cancellation marks.

Cinderella: A stamp-like label that was not issued for postal purposes, such as promotional or charity labels. Though not valid for postage, Cinderellas can be collectible and are often included in vintage stamp collections.

Cover: An envelope or package that bears stamps and has been sent through the postal system. A "First Day Cover" (FDC) is an envelope with a stamp postmarked on its first day of issue, which is a common collectible item.

Error: A stamp that has been misprinted or produced with a mistake, such as a missing color, inverted design, or incorrect denomination. Errors are often rare and highly sought after by collectors.

⭐ Face Value (FV): The nominal value of a stamp, as indicated on its face, representing the postage rate for which it was issued. While face value is important, the actual collectible value of vintage stamps often exceeds their original face value.

Gum: The adhesive substance on the back of a stamp that allows it to be affixed to an envelope or package. The condition of the gum (e.g., original, disturbed, or missing) is an important factor in determining a stamp's value.

Hinged: A stamp that has had a hinge (a small, folded piece of paper) applied to the back for mounting in an album. While hinged stamps still retain much of their value, they are generally less valuable than unhinged stamps due to the disturbance of the original gum.

⭐Mint: A stamp that is in its original, unused condition as it was issued by the postal authority. Mint stamps have not been cancelled, used, or postmarked and are free from any damage or wear.

Perforation: The small holes or cuts that separate individual stamps on a sheet, making them easy to tear apart. Perforation measurements and patterns can help identify and date vintage stamps.

Philately: The study and collection of stamps and other postal items. Philately is a popular hobby and can involve researching postal history, identifying rare stamps, and building a collection based on various themes or countries.

⭐ Philatelist: (Soon to be YOU) A person who studies or collects stamps and other postal items. A philatelist may focus on a specific type of stamp, a particular country, or other aspects of postal history.

Plate Number: A number printed in the selvage of a stamp sheet that identifies the printing plate used to produce the stamps. Plate numbers can be of particular interest to collectors, especially when they match specific issues or printings.

Postmark: A marking applied by a postal authority that indicates the date and location where a stamp was used. Postmarks can be a fascinating aspect of stamp collecting, offering insights into postal history.

Selvage: The border or margin around a sheet or pane of stamps. Selvage may include information like plate numbers, printer's marks, or inscriptions, which can add to a stamp's collectible value.

Sheet: A complete set of stamps as originally issued, typically in a rectangular arrangement. A full sheet can consist of dozens of individual stamps and may have additional features like margins and selvage (the blank borders around the stamps).

⭐ Unhinged (Never Hinged): A stamp that has never had a hinge or adhesive applied to its back. These stamps retain their original gum (the adhesive on the back) intact and are considered more valuable than those that have been hinged.

Watermark: A design or pattern embedded in the paper of a stamp that can often only be seen when held up to light. Watermarks are used to prevent counterfeiting and can help in identifying and authenticating vintage stamps.

Let's Talk eBay - My Advice

When I shop for vintage postage on eBay, I start by searching for "US Mint" along with the specific topic I’m interested in. It could be anything from a particular artist, like "Mary Cassett," to a theme such as "horses" or "ships." Once I find a listing that catches my eye, I check to see if the seller offers a "make an offer" option. If they do, I’ll usually submit an offer for a lower rate—because who doesn’t love a good deal?

If I plan on buying multiple items, I take it a step further and message the seller directly to ask if they offer a discount for bulk purchases. Most of the time, they’re more than happy to accommodate, which makes the whole experience even more rewarding.

For those who love a bit of mystery and adventure, I recommend searching for "US Mint Lot Discount Postage." This search will lead you to collections where you can purchase postage at up to 80% off face value. You won’t know exactly what you’re getting, but that’s part of the fun! Each package is a surprise, and it’s a great way to discover new stamps that you might not have thought to look for otherwise.

When searching for discount postage, you may encounter "FV" which means face value. For discount postage, you'll notice the FV number is lower than what you pay.

Here are some of my favorite stamps on eBay right now...

Featured Wax Color: Limoncello

Before we trade our bikinis for button-ups, I'm savoring the last of European Hot Girl Summer with a Limoncello-inspired wax seal. This gorgeous yellow, inspired by the Italian Mediterranean, evokes the relaxation of Amalfi and Capri. Cheers to capturing the final rays of summer sunshine in every seal! 🍋✨

À Mort

I'll admit, I’ve never actually used this seal. While I do appreciate the symbolism of memento mori, a cockfight paired with the inscription 'à mort' (to the death) isn’t exactly suited to everyday correspondence, at least not with those in my circle. 😏

The seal’s aggressive and decisive imagery suggests it’s meant for rare occasions—moments of profound significance when the stakes couldn’t be higher. In such instances, this seal would serve as a stark, visual reminder of the gravity at hand, leaving no doubt that the sender’s message is to be taken with the utmost seriousness.

Have you had an occasion to use this seal, or is there a context in which you could imagine using it? Do let me know!

With love,

Kay