Mailer’s Postmark Permit #1
Posted on 31 Jan 2010 by Chris Overstreet
Link Love: http://www.mppclub.org/
Categories and Tags: Collectors, Georgia, Mailer's Postmark, Site Notes, United States , United States Postal Service
After 10 weeks of wrangling with the United States Postal Service, I have managed to convince them that it is perfectly legal (and, in fact, covered in the Domestic Mail Manual) for them to issue me a permit that allows me to cancel my own stamps before mailing, instead of having them do it.
Why? Besides the fun of taking on a government which is ignorant of its own rules, I hate the new ink-jetted text that passes for a postmark nowadays. I’ve also noticed that I get one or two mailpieces a month from mailers that have their own permits, and one can actually tell when and from where it was mailed.
My cancellation device (an “indicia”, really just a rubber stamp ordered from a private manufacturer) arrived a couple of days ago, and I presented it at the Post Office for approval and received my permit. I am sure they were happy to see the back of me.
I am holding off on using it for now; I ordered some special postcards to commemorate the first day of use and am awaiting their arrival. If you’d like a snazzy piece of “First Day of Use” mail with my new postmark, leave a comment.
14 Comments
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I cannot BELIEVE how incredibly, amazingly cool this is. WOW. I am in awe. Of COURSE I want one of the special postcards with your own personal hand-cancel!!
I need to know a little more on the insider story of how you managed this. Amazing.
“Besides the fun of taking on a government which is ignorant of its own rules…” *chuckle*
” I am sure they were happy to see the back of me.” Laugh out loud funny.
This is so cool. Now, of course, I want one too!
I would love a to have your special mailing, too. And one of these days I am going to figure out how to get my own cancellation.
Mailer’s Postmark Permits *are* a lot of fun!
This is a great place to learn how to do it… and anyone can get one quite easily.
http://www.mppclub.org/HowToObtain.htm
(From my experience and what I’ve heard from others, the smaller the size of the post office, the less hassle-some a task it is!!) :-)
I have linked your blog in mine: http://shaunnaf.blogspot.com/2010/02/postcard-links.html
Have a great day!
Count me in. I must have a first day of use postmark as well. And, as everyone else has already said, “This is way cool!”
Hi Chris,
Your postcard with the special first-day cancellation arrived today. Too cool! I absolutely love it.
Thanks!
Christine
The first day of use was on 9 February; all cards have been sent.
Hi Chris,
I received your postcard with the mailer’s postmark – first day of use. Fantastic. I love it.
‘Allez Escargot’!
Thea
This is soooo cool! I just found a link to your site and found out about this. Too bad I missed the first day of use postmark. I collect unusual postmarks. I totally understand what you mean about the current cancellations – boring, no personality. I’m going to have to check into a postmark permit for myself. Thanks for the idea!
Very cool. I want one!
It took me many years to get mine. I even needed to send a letter to the postmaster general, but they finally realized I was allowed to have one.
Using them even makes paying bills kind of fun.
We need to get lots more of them in use.
Chris, I love “Mailer’s Postmarks”! Could I send you some stamped postcards in an envelope to send back to me with your postmark? I’d very greatly appreciate it.