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✉ MZA - First Day Cover Cachet Art ✉

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✉ MZA - First Day Cover Cachet Art ✉
Group:Mr. ZIP Approved!
Swap Coordinator:ColoradoKate (contact)
Swap categories: Challenges  Art  Postage Stamps 
Number of people in swap:4
Location:International
Type:Type 3: Package or craft
Rating requirement:4.95
Last day to signup/drop:May 11, 2012
Date items must be sent by:June 4, 2012
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

I've been wanting to do this kind of a swap for a loooong long time! We will be sending our partners a decorated first day of issue cachet!

Definition: A first day cover is a stamped envelope, postal card or other postal material that was processed at the post office where the stamp was issued, and has a cancellation indicating the same. The cancellation will often be specially designed for the occasion and frequently will say "First Day of Issue" or something similar. Depending on the postal authority there may be a ceremony to commemorate the first day of issue.

More info here.

More info and an issuing calendar for the USPS here.

It's my understanding that this is done not just in the U.S., but all over the world! Therefore, this will be an international swap. That said, I'm useless for information on how this works internationally, so international swappers may just want to use the USPS as well. PM me with questions about that. ;)

WHAT YOU DO:

  • Go to the USPS store or other national postal authority and order an already printed First Day Cover. Digital Color Postmarks are also acceptable. Current or past First Day Covers are welcome!
  • Thoughtfully decorate the cover in a way that will compliment the stamp. You may use any medium.
  • Write a note with your username and the name of the swap.
  • Send the note and the First Day Cover to your partner in another outer envelope. Watch your postage!

PM me with questions. If you have experience with this sort of thing, leave notes in the comments or PM me so that I can update the description.

LONG send-by date is to accommodate various issuing dates and deadlines for the USPS so you have lots of options. The new Disney Mail a Smile stamps will come out sometime in May, and I thought people might like to do those. ;)

Discussion

manders2280 04/22/2012 #

are postcards allowed too? the aloha shirt stamp and the common tern postcard would be fun covers to decorate

ColoradoKate 04/23/2012 #

Hrm... good question. Maybe ask your partner? In my case, I think I'm going to collect the envelopes so I can keep them all the same size... but if the postcards are 4x6, then I suppose I could just put it with my postcard collection! LOL! You know me, I'm easy. ;) But yeah, I'd ask your partner to be sure.

lou 04/30/2012 #

Does it have to be a CURRENT first day cover? I'm asking since the info above references ordering one. Is anyone up for getting an OLD first day cover if I am your partner? This sounds like a lot of fun, I scooped up some old first day covers -- some are quite decorated already by Artcraft or whoever did them 40-60 years ago -- but some are pretty blank, just waiting to be "decorated."

ColoradoKate 05/ 2/2012 #

Older first day covers are TOTALLY acceptable! Thanks for the question! I'll modify the description. :)

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