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Look for the complete U.S. Stamp Market Index once per month in Linn's Stamp News. The United States stamp market held steady in October, with no discernible pressure on retail prices, which remain relatively stable. Linn's composite U.S. Stamp Market Index moved up slightly to 598.31, its highest value since the first quarter of 1984. The index for 19th-century issues rose 0.48 percent from September, equivalent to an annual rate that approximates that of the preceding 12 months, which shows a 6.36 percent gain. Prices of both 20th-century and airmail issues were virtually unchanged for the month, with an increase of 0.03 percent and a decrease of 0.18 percent, respectively.