Each week Linn's lists unique and different postmarks available and where to get the postmarks. I've been meaning to start a collection of these things on no particular subject with no particular goals or end game in mind - just stuff I think is cool.

I've prepared five covers for five postmarks and will send them out in tomorrow's mail. I'll re-scan these when they find their way back to my mailbox!



Request at:
Fleet Week Station
380 W. 33rd Street
Room 4032
New York, NY 10199-9998

Request at:
Indianapolis 500 Station
125 W. South Street
Indianapolis, IN 46206-9998

Request at:
Bicycling Station
10993 Ocean Highway
Pawleys Island, SC 39585-9998

Request at:
Battle of Midway Station
Box 9998
Alton, VA 24520-9998

Request at:
Oz-Stravaganza! Station
1001 E. Genesse Street
Chittenango, NY 13037-9998

beware! Gordon Lee doesn't like this act of mailing yourself
are these FDCs or you print them.

I'm well aware Gordon Lee doesn't like the idea of mailing to one's self but I have to ask... how else does one collect specific cancels?????

They aren't FDCs as there is no stamp being issued here just a commemorative postmark. The above cachets were printed by me, they were placed into a larger envelope and mailed to the post office issuing the postmark. There's ONE ... only ONE post office issuing the cancels so if you want one you MUST go through that post office.

Besides, once these are postmarked with the event or occasion for which it commemorates and is done so on an original or DIY cachet it becomes a truly unique, one-of-a-kind addition to one's collection.

Like I said in a recent post... I'm not at all what you would call a "traditional" collector. It's out there, it's within my grasp, it's within my budget and it's a chance to have a truly unique collection.

Then again, I may not like the things when I get them back and abandon the whole idea but I won't know until I try!

that will be truly a new and innovative idea. what is your plan for this, i mean you start with your state then send from neighboring states and so, only GPO area or regional post offices?
i was also thinking about collecting new machine stamps currently most PO used instead of postal stamps. and also other mailing services like TCS DHL OCS etc, dont know why people don't consider them as collection.

Linn's has a page titled, "Instructions for Requesting Postmarks" and it reads as follows:

The cancellations listed in Linn's Postmark Pursuit column
are authorized by the United States Postal Service for the periods
indicated. Requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days after the
date of cancellation to qualify for service.

Affix correct postage to an envelope or postcard of your choice and
address it to yourself or someone else. Insert cardstock of postcard
thickness in the envelope to protect against bending. Place it in a
larger envelope addressed to the station name and to "Postmaster" of the
listed city, including the post office address and full nine-digit ZIP
code as indicated.

Your envelope or postcard will be returned to you through the
mailstream. If you would like your items returned under protective
cover, include a larger, addressed envelope franked with 45¢ postage, or
an addressed large glassine franked with 20¢ postage. Include a note
requesting that the canceled envelope be returned inside the envelope or
glassine.

Requests for cancels with stamps and postal stationery not in
nationwide release on the date shown in the postmark might not be
honored.




And that's how you get them... this is new to me as this is my first postmark pursuit - so when I get them back I'll let ya know how it turns out!

I think the cachets are great...

Greetings Fellow Boarders
.

AamerJamal wrote:

beware! Gordon Lee doesn't like this act of mailing yourself are these FDCs or you print them.

.

bengalpaws wrote:

I'm well aware Gordon Lee doesn't like the idea of mailing to one's self but I have to ask... how else does one collect specific cancels?????

.
You guys crack me up.
.
Respectfully,

Gordon Lee

Moonstra and i have been considering such a project. and another we recently won a set of postcards of national parks.. i am considering sending them out to see if i can get it PM'ed from the town they are in..

oh that would be very cool...

for this moment i am going to just watch how yours come out and see ..

gee i may even get really creative and send out for some others....