If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, a few people at the U.S. Mint must be feeling fairly good. They would be the ones who proposed the 50 States Quarters Program that's been the hit of collectors for the past 10 years. Since its inception in 1999, 47 of the 50 quarters have been issued. According to the Mint, over 100 million people are collecting the quarters.

Of course, the Federal government can rarely leave well enough alone. The popularity of the quarter series eventually caught the attention of people in Washington, D.C. They complained they were being left out. Consequently, in 2009, another quarter will be released honoring the District of Columbia followed by four saluting the U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands. Now, we'll have 55 "state" quarters.

But, back to the flattery thing. Others in Washington also took notice of the quarter's popularity — specifically the Postal Service. Not to be left out, last week they released the first of 20 stamps to be issued in 2008 commemorating states. Over three years, 60 stamps will be printed recognizing all the states and territories along with various incarnations of the U.S. flag.

Each of the 42-cent stamps will include an image of the state or territorial flag along with an indigenous regional icon. Unlike the quarters — released in the order the states were admitted to the Union — the state flag stamps are being issued in alphabetical order.

This isn't the first time states have been saluted on stamps. But, for the first time in four decades, it does pose an opportunity for profit. For those with determination it can pay off.

Here's the bottom line. Just as the average state quarters aren't valuable, neither will be the state stamps. The quantities being produced are just too large. Even the special First Day of Issue canceled stamps won't carry a major premium. They're nice, but many will be ordered and obtained by collectors making them less than rare.

The trick is what a very few industrious people did in 1976, when a sheet of 50 state flag stamps was issued. They, too, sent in for First Day of Issue cancels for each of the stamps. But, they didn't stop there. They then sent each of the envelopes to the governors of the states (along with a cordial letter) requesting their autograph on the envelopes. It wasn't easy, but some were able to get every governor to sign the envelope bearing the stamp of their state.

The mailing costs were minimal, but the return enormous. The value of those few entire sets is substantial — especially considering that some of those governors went on to greater prominence.

The new state flag stamps are currently on sale at most local post offices, and a list of all state governors is easily available on the Internet. If you're so inclined, the opportunity is there.

For First Day cancels, purchase the stamps at the post office, affix them to individual envelopes and send those inside of a separate large mailing envelope to: FLAGS OF OUR NATIONS STAMPS, POSTMASTER, SPECIAL CANCELLATIONS, BOX 92282, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20066-9998.

The envelopes will be returned via regular mail. As for obtaining signatures of each of the governors … that's up to you. (Hint, make your letter VERY nice and be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope.) Good luck!

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of the first "State" stamp featuring the Alabama state flag has been sent with this column.)

To find out more about Peter Rexford and to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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