Download this report as an MP3 sound file.

For broadcast on CBS Radio Network stations September 17-18, 2005:

Obfuscating Appellations!

The Stamp Collecting Report, I'm Lloyd de Vries. 

Some of this year's U-S stamps have simple titles such as "Spring Flowers," but many have 
long-winded, almost silly, names.

Instead of 1950s Sports Cars, the new set is called "America On The Move: Sporty Cars of 
the 1950s." 

It wasn't enough to celebrate American Aviation. No, it had to be American ADVANCES in 
Aviation.

The Muppets stamps this month are now called, "Jim Henson, the Man Behind The Muppets."

And my favorite: The ten stamps marking a half century since the civil rights movement began 
are called "To Form A More Perfect Union." Right. Perfectly obvious.

"Let's Dance" isn't long-winded, but the original title was Latin Dances -- and they 
ARE: merengue, cha-cha, mambo, salsa.

It doesn't really matter, though. Collectors and postal clerks are calling these issues 
"Dance," "Muppets" and "Sportscars."

And that's Stamp Collecting this week. 

I'm Lloyd de Vries, CBS News. 

----------------------------------------------------------
Go to Previous Report
Go to Next Report 

Go to Report Index