HOW TO SEND FOR FIRST DAY POSTMARKS

Starting January 1, 2006 the policy of the United States Postal Service in regard to first day postmarks is as follows.

A. For all stamps there will be a first day of issue postmark that will have a circular dates stamp at the left and text at the right reading "First Day of Issue." There are two killer bars above this text and two killer bars below this text The size 3 3/8" x 15/16". This is referred to as: The STEEL DIE FOUR BAR POSTMARK. This is the format to be used for all issues and the ONLY one to be used for definitives.

This is the STANDARD STEEL DIE FOUR BAR POSTMARK.
Size is 3 3/8" x 15/16"

B. For many commemorative stamps an additional postmark will be available. This will have some pictorial element or will have some special design relevant to the specific issue. This is referred to as: The RUBBER DIE PICTORIAL POSTMARK.

C. There is a purported third type available for some issues. This in color and it is called a DIGITAL COLOR POSTMARK. There are special considerations in regard to these. There is a charge for this and, because of that, it is not really a postmark.  Still, they are avidly collected.  More on this later.

When sending for a first day postmark please use the exact address that I have provided. This will be the address that appears AFTER the date listed for the issue and ABOVE the description of the issue. However, according to the Postal Bulletin, there is a fall back address that can always be used:

"Name of stamp issue" stamp

Postmaster

City, State and zip code that appear in the cancellation with a four digit add-on of "-9991."

When I can, I will tell you when and where the US Postal Bulletin described the issue. If you have any questions about the issue please read the relevant section in the Postal Bulletin.

Obtain your stamps either locally of from the USA Philatelic Catalog. Then prepare your piece or pieces and an instruction sheet explaining just what you want. Do NOT assume that you will get what you want just by sending to the correct address, When writing in for a first day postmark for a commemorative issue, keep in mind that there are TWO different postmarks so you must indicate which one you want. Please ask for: The STEEL DIE DIE FOUR BAR POSTMARK; or The RUBBER DIE PICTORIAL POSTMARK.

If you want to get BOTH of these postmarks for one issue here is what you should do.

1. For the Steel Die Four Bar postmark prepare your instructions on a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" note paper.

2. Prepare a stamped self-addressed return envelope (for the return of your covers) and fold it into thirds.

3. Prepare those envelopes that you wish to get this postmark.

4. Wrap your instruction sheet around the return envelope and the covers you want postmarked. Do this so that the written message is on the inside when wrapped around your covers

5. On the unwritten side of of this wrapper print in large capital letters: STEEL DIE FOUR BAR POSTMARK for (name of issue.)

6. For the Rubber Die Pictorial postmark prepare your instructions on one sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" note paper.

7. Prepare a stamped self-addressed return envelope (for the return of your covers) and fold it into thirds.

8. Prepare those envelopes that you wish to get this postmark.

9. Wrap your instruction sheet around the return envelope and the covers you want postmarked. Do this so that the written message is on the inside when wrapped around your covers.

10. On the unwritten side of of this wrapper print in large capital letters: RUBBER DIE PICTORIAL POSTMARK for (name of issue.)

11. Put both of these folders into a large enough envelope and mail to the address provided.

When sending for First Day postmarks make sure that you include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return.  It should be properly addressed to yourself and bear enough postage to pay for the return. If you send for two types of postmark for the same issue, then two such return envelopes must be provided, If you send in for so many requests that you need to use a box, then that box must be addressed to yourself and bear enough postage to pay for the return, After you do that, wrap the box again in paper (but do not attach this outer wrapper to the box within) and give it the assigned address. This way, when the first day people get your request they do not have to do any addressing or applying of postage.

If you just send return postage without an envelope, they will use a priority mail envelope to increase your cost. What should have cost 39 cents can fun to $4.05!

For those issues that have a pictorial postmark AND a four bar postmark, keep the following in mind. The pictorial postmark is a rubber die that is applied by hand. Thus you can indicate an unusual placement for the pictorial postmark. (The standard placement is to but the stamp in the upper rght corner,) But the four bar postmark is a steel die postmark that is applied by machine so you cannot use an unusual placement for four bar postmarks in issues in which there are both pictorial postmarks and four bar postmarks. However, for issue which use ONLY the four bar postmark both a steel die version and a rubber die version are available so you may indicate an unusual placement of those issues also but, of course, you will only get the four bar postmark

If you sent in for a pictorial postmark and did not get what you wanted or have other problems then call Suzy Phillips, Customer Service Cancellation Services at 815-545-1345, or Linda Houghtaling, supervisor of cancellation services at 816-545-1349. They will help you get what you want.

In addition, some issues will have a third postmark that applies a postmark in ink of different colors. This type of postmark is called a Digital Color Postmark. These are ONLY available by ordering them from the USA Philatelic catalog at $1.50 each. Telephone = 1-800-782-6724 For non-residents wanting this catalog, see the paragraph below reading NON-US RESIDENTS. Keep in mind that because it is impossible for this "postmark" to be used on actual mail it is not really a postmark at all but a souvenir. Starting with the Wonders of America issue you are able to get this type of postmark on your own piece but there are special requirements.

·The address used to submit a request for DCP postmarks is the same as for other types of postmarks, just add the words "Digital Color" at the beginning of the first line. Example:
                    Digital Color Judy Garland Stamp

·Requests for DCP postmarks must be submitted separately from all other requests.

·Only number 6 3/4 envelopes or number 10 envelopes may be used

·A minimum of 10 envelopes of any one size of any one issue must be submitted.

·A payment of 50-cents per envelope must accompany your request.

·All requirements regarding packing for other types of postmarks apply to this type of postmark.

·No labels are permitted to be affixed to any envelope receiving a DCP cancellation.

·The envelopes must be laser safe.

·Side seam construction with 9/16" seams.

·No glue on the flap.

·USPS recommends 80 pound Accent Opaque acid free envelope

·You may, if you wish, send in a sample for testing prior to sending in covers. Please send in no more than five and a self-addressed stamped envelope with sufficient postage for their return, Please submit your sample to:

Cancellation Unit

DCP Test

P O Box 449992

Kansas City MO 64144-9992

There is a grace period of 60 days after the issue date within which you may send for these postmarks. The determining date for this is the date that appears in the postmark on the envelope that contains your request. If you are going to mail your request on or close to the last day, you might want to go to a post office window to insure that your request is properly dated. On the rare occasions when this period is extended, this information will be included when the the stamp issue in announced,

Obtain your stamps locally of from the USA Philatelic catalog, Telephone = 1-800-782-6724. If you get your stamps from the catalog please order them within a week of the issue date as it takes about 10 to 14 days for the stamps to arrive.  When you place your order please write down your order number and put in a place where you can get it when you want it If your stamp order is received late even though you ordered promptly then it is not your fault.  In this case send in your covers as usual together with your order number and a copy of the invoice for the stamps used. Point out the late arrival in your cover letter. When this is received  it will be checked out and your request will be honored.

Sometimes a special cancellation is used in a first day city at about the same time as the date of the first day. If you are doing this then. on your outer envelope, in the lower left corner, please write SHOW POSTMARK or SPECIAL EVENT POSTMARK as applicable. Please use large block capital letters. This is to prevent your request from being forwarded to Kansas City to get an official postmark. This is appropriate even if the date of the first day postmark and the date of the special cancellation are as much as a month apart.

Further, the address on your outer envelope should read Postmaster as the first line of your address followed by P O Box 9998 or the street address, Do NOT put the station name on the outer envelope as this may cause your request to be misdelivered or returned.

Do not send for more than one postmark in any one envelope even if the requests go to the same address, There is one exception to this rule. You may use a single envelope to send for both a four bar postmark and a pictorial postmark for the same first day issue if you follow the instructions above..

Here is how to get the USA Philatelic catalog my email

To email a request that the USA Philatelic Catalog be sent to you,
Go to: www.usps.com/shop
In the box labeled "Quick Order" find the line that reads, "USA Philatelic Catalog. Click on "Buy." Note that even though it says "Buy" there is no charge for this.
This takes you to a page titled
"Sign In."
Click on "Sign Up" It is on the right side.
This takes you to a page reading:
"New User Sign Up."
Please fill out the form and continue from there.

If you have any observations about these instructions, please let me know. If there any errors, I would like to correct them.