Linda
Member 
Ex-mathematician turned visual artist and touring cyclist to bike across Canada, Europe, Japan etc.
Posts: 1,262 
What I collect: Mostly Canadian and European stamps about art / science / landscape
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Post by Linda on Aug 5, 2023 22:12:16 GMT
Is there a name for the extra goodies that come with the sale of (often personalised) stamps, such as keychain, lenticular card + ruler, postcard, etc.? I purchased 2 sets of stamps at Alishan Post Office in Taiwan that are, I believe, bundled by this particular post office administrator. The sets contain one sheet of personalised stamps, a souvenir sheet of postage stamps which were part of the regular stamp program -- all of these are valid for postal use and are said to be produced by Taiwan Post (or whatever it's called in English today). But there are other strange things included, which all bear the logo of Taiwan Post.  
[The stamps on this souvenir sheets were regular issues. I had used them for my artworks before taking this photo.]    I guess the extra goodies were introduced to help the postal agency to generate more revenue. I remember having seen some highly sought-after merchandises that were designed by a renown Taiwanese illustrator at the post office, ranging from suitcase, tote bag, silk scarves, etc. which are called 'philatelic merchandises' (集郵商品) but which have nothing to to with postage stamp or postal service. Just out of curiosity, is there any name given to these things and does anyone collect them? And does anyone wants this keychain?     Regardless of its plain design and place of manufacture (China), it's made of good material (not plastic but China clay / kaolinite / whatever it's called) that is cold to touch and bears the 'cute' illustration of Taiwanese postman / postwoman. |
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Linda
Member
Ex-mathematician turned visual artist and touring cyclist to bike across Canada, Europe, Japan etc.
Posts: 1,262
What I collect: Mostly Canadian and European stamps about art / science / landscape
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Post by Linda on Aug 5, 2023 22:13:19 GMT
Japan Post too sometimes comes up with some kind of merchandises that are sold with the stamps. I will receive a set of Hokusai stamps next week which include one such 'unusual' thing. I will share more images then.
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khj
Member
Posts: 1,467 
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Post by khj on Aug 5, 2023 22:44:33 GMT
Oh, man, I should have stopped by the post office before I left (not that my wife would have left any space for me in the luggage -- sometimes I think the only reason she took me on the vacation is so that she could have another 2 pieces of check-in luggage).
Sorry, I don't know the formal name for those add-ons. I've always lumped them in with promotional gifts, just like those personalized/customized pens/keychains/cups... that businesses sometimes give out.
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mberry
Member
Posts: 995
What I collect: USA, USA Revenues, Beer Related Stamps and Revenues, US State Revenues, Stamp Show Stamps
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Post by mberry on Aug 6, 2023 4:05:48 GMT
In south Louisiana, that would be called lagniappe - 'a little extra'.
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Philatarium
Member
Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 1,032
What I collect: Primarily focused on Japan, but lots of other material catches my eye as well ...
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Post by Philatarium on Aug 6, 2023 4:24:44 GMT
postal ephemera
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Post by paul1 on Aug 6, 2023 8:12:32 GMT
Linda - your comment ""to help the postal agency to generate more revenue."" - made me think you had purchased these extras for money - so now I'm unsure whether they were free or did in fact cost money.
Usually, if the extras are free then we might understand these as being an incentive to purchase the main product - this situation occurs often, and is seen commonly with children's comics where where the gift is stuck to the front of the comic. To an impressionable mind, the offer of a free gift is a strong psychological incentive to buy the main product, and the adult mostly gives in to the child's pleading - but then again the world is knee-deep in impressionable adults too!
On the assumption you didn't pay for these small extras, then 'free gifts' might be a good description - or 'freebies' - thanks for the offer of the key chain, but will pass on this occasion.
If the extras cost money then I'm unsure of the point of the exercise - we tend only to buy things if we need them, but use of the word 'gift' implies the item is gratis and free of cost.
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Linda
Member
Ex-mathematician turned visual artist and touring cyclist to bike across Canada, Europe, Japan etc.
Posts: 1,262
What I collect: Mostly Canadian and European stamps about art / science / landscape
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Post by Linda on Aug 6, 2023 14:12:51 GMT
paul1 -- Well, the extras were included in the bundle which I purchased. I suppose the production cost for these extras must have been included in the price. They may seem to be 'free goodies' but in fact there is nothing free when it comes commercial activities.
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Post by paul1 on Aug 6, 2023 14:27:44 GMT
thanks Linda - so, in principle you paid nothing for the extras, and we'd assume then they were an inducement to encourage you to buy the stamps. In view of your profile - at the left side of the screen - I'm unsure where on the globe you are currently - still cycling perhaps??? ;-);-) only joking, but ...................... If your town or urban location includes 'charity shops/thrift stores' then you might give these surplus 'free gifts' as a donation, possibly?
Love the use of the word bundle which I notice is now used massively in the digital world - though once it meant a small collection of physical items combined and held together by string, rope or strap - for example 'a bundle of clothing' - and less formally as a slang expression meaning - 'to push forcibly'.
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,360
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Aug 7, 2023 9:53:18 GMT
postal ephemera is the term I have heard.
Definition off the Internet - items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity.
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Linda
Member
Ex-mathematician turned visual artist and touring cyclist to bike across Canada, Europe, Japan etc.
Posts: 1,262
What I collect: Mostly Canadian and European stamps about art / science / landscape
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Post by Linda on Aug 9, 2023 14:18:42 GMT
So, I got my Hokusai 'frame' (personalised) stamp set, which was issued to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mount Fuji becoming an UNESCO World Heritage site. Japan Post selected 10 prints from the 'Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji' to feature on stamps, postcards, and acrylic stands. The set I chose features the best known print of Hokusai, 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa'. There is another set that includes an additional 24K gold plate, which I obviously didn't purchase: www.post.japanpost.jp/kitte_hagaki/stamp/frame/detail.php?id=2645     [The back side of the postcards is different from the preview on JP's website. The lower left corner is entirely blank.]      This is the first time my stamp order include a postal ephemera like an acrylic stand. Can it be called 'postal' ephemera (not 'philatelic') if it's not meant to be postally used? The production quality of these products is quite good, though I feel the set would be more valuable if there is more indication about the art reproduction, says, edition, etc. |
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Post by paul1 on Aug 9, 2023 14:51:20 GMT
this acrylic item appears unrelated to philately - it's attractive - I'm a big fan of 'The Great Wave ......" - amazing how you can look at this print and miss the fact that there are three 'boats' in the picture - I also have a framed copy of The Wave in my house. Do you think Hokusai is on a par with William Blake ??
Originally this print was obviously not a stamp related image, so IMHO guess we're unable to say the acrylic item is postal ephemera.
Linda - may I ask please, in what way is this set 'personalized for you? :-)
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Linda
Member
Ex-mathematician turned visual artist and touring cyclist to bike across Canada, Europe, Japan etc.
Posts: 1,262
What I collect: Mostly Canadian and European stamps about art / science / landscape
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Post by Linda on Aug 9, 2023 15:27:03 GMT
paul1 -- It's just what I was told: that those 'frame' stamps are personalised issues.
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Linda
Member
Ex-mathematician turned visual artist and touring cyclist to bike across Canada, Europe, Japan etc.
Posts: 1,262
What I collect: Mostly Canadian and European stamps about art / science / landscape
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Post by Linda on Aug 9, 2023 15:31:48 GMT
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Linda
Member
Ex-mathematician turned visual artist and touring cyclist to bike across Canada, Europe, Japan etc.
Posts: 1,262
What I collect: Mostly Canadian and European stamps about art / science / landscape
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Post by Linda on Aug 9, 2023 21:44:07 GMT
I just recalled a documentary I had watched in my youth about a Taiwanese collector of 'corporate dolls'. His collection includes figures produced by Taiwan Post to represent the corporation. I searched on the Taiwanese market and found out such things still exist! Some of them look weird though ...  |
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