Can I used old, uncancelled stamps for current postage?

Question

I'm wondering if it's allowed - to used old (discontinued, maybe?) but uncancelled stamps as postage on current letters. Obviously they'd have to add up to the proper mailing amount for the item - but does it matter if they aren't "current, modern-day" stamps? I'm wanting to do this for some mail-art projects is all, thought it would be fun :) Any answers / help finding the answers appreciated!*Yeah I know - ask my local PO - I just wasn't planning to go there anytime soon and real hard to get anyone on the phone at USPS ;)

Thanks!
~ gem ~


ps: I REALLY didn't know what cat. to put this in!
None of them seemed right or specific enough ...

Answer 1

Mail art projects are really cool and make carriers and clerks smile. We love to deliver works of art. Of course you can use discontinued stamps.

The only stamps that may raise an eyebrow in your collage are those that are precanceled (bars across them) or are marked nonprofit, bulk or standard. It would be rare if you have them as the are usually coil stamps with low denominations and not very attractive.

You might also consider taking your works in to the Post Office and asking for a hand cancellation or at least laying your project out so that the machine cancellation doesn't ugly-fie your work.

Answer 2

Yeah I use old stamps all the time. As long as the total number of stamps doesnt go over 6, and the amount of the stamps equals what the current postage costs.

Answer 3

It depends what country you are in. In the U.S. you can use almost any stamp issued since 1861 for postage. In the UK, only decimal stamps are accepted (no 1d stamps, for example), and in Europe, most countries now use the Euro, and stamps in their old currencues can't be used.

I am in the US and have used 13 3c stamps to pay the 39c rate - I love mail art!

Take a look at http://www.artcoverexchange.org/ for another take on mail art.

Answer 4

there's a fashion to defraud the submit place of work fairly incredibly. I gained't inform you precisely a thanks to do it, notwithstanding it consists of overlaying the stamp with a sparkling nonadhesive hide so as that the stamp isn't franked+ cancelled. so so you might use un-franked postage stamps, yet no longer legally!

Answer 5

As long as the postage adds up to the correct fee, you can use, they have no expiration date.

Answer 6

yes, you can use old postage stamps as long as they are able to read the postage cents.

Answer 7

Most definitely. As long as they are not canceled they are still good to use!!!

Answer 8

yes but you might call or say hay to the postperson