Pictorial Postmark Calendar
These pictorial postmarks are available, until the date listed, by following the instructions on the Sending for postmarks page.
Note: This unofficial calendar is maintained by collectors, not the USPS.
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| Upcoming Postmarks |
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Hi, I want to ask that if I want to get a pictorial postmark by SASE method, how much postage I need to affix? Any or at least first class mail postage? Thanks.
Thanks for the question, Ying Shi.
For the SASE method, each cover you submit must bear at least First Class postage (currently 50¢), and the return envelope must bear sufficient First Class postage for the total combined weight of the covers you have submitted, plus its own weight. You will need a postal scale or some other method to weigh/estimate their combined weight.
Likely the SASE will weigh between 1 and 2 ounces (currently 71¢) if you submit 1–2 covers, and between 2 and 3 ounces (currently 92¢) if you submit 3–4 covers. I have a postage table generator at http://collectpostmarks.com/postage-calculator/ if you want an easy way to look up postage rates.
Please let me know if any of this is unclear.
I've been searching like crazy for a special Thanksgiving Pictorial Postmark. For the life of me, I can't find anything. Any suggestions? Many thanks!
Hi David,
I would suggest checking back at this page on the 10th of this month. Any Thanksgiving pictorials are likely to show up in the November 9th Postal Bulletin.
You could also send for postmarks from post offices with Thanksgiving-themed names. You can find them through the Post Office Search function on this site. Postmarks from Turkey, Turkey City, or Turkey Creek, for instance, might work well.
I am looking for any pictorial post marks on Red Cross tasks and activities, can't find any, your suggestions please if any? Thanks,
SC Garg
Your website is great and very helpful.
Why don't you list cancels for new stamp issues ?
Thanks for the kind words, Ray Orem!
I don't list cancels for new stamp issues because they are already covered very well by Lloyd de Vries at Virtual Stamp Club. Here is his list of cancels for 2017 stamp issues.
Does anybody else cut up cereal boxes to make stiffening material?
Hi Brian,
It's about the right thickness, but I would avoid doing that, because the very high acid content of the cardboard will cause yellowing of your covers.
I cut up 100lb cover (270gsm) cardstock from Superfine Printing these days for stiffeners. It works like a charm.
I print my covers in cardstock from staples. Print my design, cut it out, glue together with acid free adhesive affix stamp and send it in along with a clear sleeve that the postal clerk seals around the cover after affixing the postmark. then they send it back to me. This way I don't need any stiffener inside.
if I use a standard envelope, I get the card from my local pharmacy that comes with the labels they print for the prescription bottles.
Thanks, Joshua.
Are there any announcements of postmarks for Total Eclipse yet? I really want to get in on that one.
David
My understanding is that there will be matching pictorials in cities along the path of totality, but no details have been announced yet. I will update the calendar as I learn more.
Hi David,
Check out this new site feature: an interactive map of known eclipse postmarks.
I will add to it as I find more.
Josh, thanks for all the work you do on this wonderful website. I think I will take a chance and send in for a few of these. Hopefully, they all come back nicely done and I won't be disappointed. Otherwise, I will have to contact Celia. You know the drill when they come back poorly serviced.
Has anyone had a problem with the 2017 Inaugural cancellation? I sent in some postcards in Feb, and haven't gotten them back yet.
Thanks.
August 22 - still waiting, Also a no show for the Apollo 1 cancellations.
Today marks exactly 111 days since I submitted my Apollo 1 covers, and I haven't gotten mine back either, even with the follow-up letter I sent about a month ago.
Received my Apollo 1 covers back exactly 200 days after I submitted them! Here they are:
December 14 - still waiting, but I did get my Apollo 1 cancellations a couple of weeks ago.
I've sent quite a few postcards for the Inaugural cancellation. A batch was delivered about a month ago. No doubt it is slow going. In the past, in some cases, I have observed some stations not delivering until the very last day the postmark was available.
These covers took 259 days to return, but at least were accompanied by a letter of apology explaining that they were misplaced and later found.
These covers took 210 days to return, with no note nor explanation whatsoever.
Sadly, yes: sometimes it takes a while.
Hi, I am planning on making some max card with stamps not enough for a post card, say 29 cents. Could I stick another 5-cent stamp on the other side? Thanks in advance.
I expect this will be a frustrating answer, but as far as I can tell, it is not expressly forbidden in the Postal Operations Manual; however, I tried it once and had the mailpiece returned to me with a note that it was against USPS regulations. The note did not cite a reference.
I would advise against trying it.
There are so many eclipse postmarks. Thanks for highlighting some of the interesting items.
Lots of the same field marks. I wonder what PB will show tomorrow.
Thoughts on a comprehensive list of ALL postmarks?
Hi Drew,
There are so many eclipse postmarks. Thanks for highlighting some of the interesting items.
You're welcome! Have you seen the Interactive Eclipse Postmark Map on this site?
Lots of the same field marks. I wonder what PB will show tomorrow.
Me too. I'm getting more information from readers and my own research, and will update both pages shortly.
Thoughts on a comprehensive list of ALL postmarks?
A list of post offices (as up-to-date as I can keep it) is available via this site's Post Office Search feature.
Town postmarks (in an exhaustive list) are handled brilliantly by the Post Mark Collectors' Club, and first day postmarks by Lloyd de Vries at Virtual Stamp Club, and I saw no need to duplicate their impressive efforts. Please bookmark both sites if you haven't already: they are very useful.
Thanks, I've visited the sites listed. Also Google has great search for eclipse.
http://www.kgw.com/news/eclipse/eclipse-themed-postmarks-available-at-30-oregon-posts-offices/464534570
http://www.nbcneb.com/scottsbluff/content/news/Wyoming-post-offices-offering-special-Eclipse-postmarks-440608983.html
To name a few.. Your site has brought me back to the hobby in the last few years.
Thanks again.
Are the above listings complete for pictorial cancellations. I was looking for one for the TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE LUSK WY 82225 USA STATION. It is supposed to start on August 21st. Could you tell me if you have any information on this cancellation, as well as any others in WY besides the one In Glendo, WY you mentioned above?
Hi Cindy,
The list is not complete right now. Over 100 eclipse postmarks were announced today, including twenty from Wyoming. I'm working to get them processed as quickly as possible.
In the meantime, this is the image for Lusk:
Request address:
Hello, Can you give a quick explanation of what Postmark America is and how long are those postmarks available at the respective post office?
Postmark America postmarks feature images of permanent local interest, and are available in perpetuity from the date they are first offered, unless the post office itself closes permanently. Think of them as "Forever Pictorials". 🙂
Any idea of any post offices with this postmark here? Or wait until the next postal bulletin? https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2017/pb22473/html/info_004.htm
I too am looking forward to any station offering the Reverend Fr Theodore Hesburgh pictorial postmark. I have not seen it in the postal bulletins, past or present. Any help with a quick note if finding one would be greatly appreciated! Kindest Regards and Thanks!
Jordan and Cory: I have not found any that have been announced yet, but I will add them to this page as soon as I find them.
Thanks, it is up and I've requested a few. I really appreciate your work and time!
Nope, No Go... shrug: Came back as undeliverable vacant and with yellow postItNote saying "1st Day of Issue Postmark was available only 10/1" I sent a specific request with the signature one with date stamp as pictured but it was in the letter... and they didn't open it... so... Darn Ill send out another request as says 01 Nov and maybe an appeal as posted further in the procedures. Anybody had any luck with appeals? Oh well, we shall see 😉 Sincerely, Cory D Oct 2017
Your remarks indicate Eclipse postmarks are available through September 20th. However, they remain on your website.
Have eclipse postmarks been extended beyond September 20th, 2017 ?
Thanks
hi, is there a pictorial cancel from either Houston or LA for the World Series? Thanks.
Hi! Thanks for this site! I have a mail art project where I send a monthly mailing to a group of about 100 subscribers. I would like to get a pictorial postmark on my November mailing. So: am I correct that I would just send a package with my stamped and addressed envelopes to the desired post office along with a request letter? I just want my letters to get the postmark and then get mailed out to addressees as usual in the system. Are 100 letters too many to send for this request? Would this really annoy the postmaster?
Hi Carolyn!
You are supposed to include a check, made out to "USPS", for 5¢ per cover in excess of fifty. That is, the first 50 would be free, and the remainder would cost you a nickel apiece.
Whether it would annoy the postmaster is another question, but the postmaster is (theoretically) supposed to honor your request and cancel each of your ~100 carefully. Whether the postmaster is having a bad day and would make a mess of your covers out of annoyance is just one of those unpredictable human nature questions. 🙂
There is a pictorial cancellation for the commissioning of the USCGC Jakob Poroo WPC-1125 on 8 Nov. 2017 in New Orleans, LA, but I can't find the mailing address. Do you happen to know it? Also, the USCGC Midgett WMSL-757 was launched today (22 Nov.) at Pascagoula, MS. Do you know if there is a pictorial cancel and if so, the mailing address?
Thank You,
Bill Wladyka
USCS #9915
There used to be a guy who was a dealer in pictorial postmarks. Is he still out there?
Looking for pictorial postmarks of Utah. Any help out there?
As of this writing, I don't know of any pictorials being offered in Utah. I am assembling a directory of Postmark America postmarks for the site, and there may be some on that list. I'd suggest checking back here regularly, and I'll reply again when the Postmark America information is listed.
Hi. So wondering if there are any kind of pictorials for Antarctica? Any info?
Thx.
Hi Laurie,
While pictorial postmarks are occasionally/rarely offered for Antarctica, there are not (to my knowledge) any available at the moment. If any surface, I will be sure to post them on this page.
Hello,
I want to know if there is a list of "permanent" pictorial postmark from USA? You know, the ones that are technically available for many years. An example which you might have heard of is the Mule Mail postmark from Supai, Arizona.
Is there a special postmark for the Superbowl or the Winter Carnival in Minneapolis and St. Paul? Thanks.
Kevin...the following has info about 2018 Super Bowl pictorial postmarks:
http://www.kbjr6.com/story/37407748/souvenir-postmarks-created-to-highlight-super-bowl
Elgin,
Thank you! Got them. I appreciate the help.
Like to find out the details of the 6 available postmarks for Superbowl LII
nirlay, here is a link to images and the addresses for the 6 superbowl postmarks. On pages 46 and 47 of the Feb-1 Postal Bulletin: https://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2018/pb22486/pb22486.pdf
Kevin and Nirlay:
The Super Bowl pictorial postmarks are now on the site. Search this page for "Super Bowl".
What has happened to your site? I had been really depending on it until recently because you had been showing the images of the pictorial postmarks instead of only the description that Linn's always does. Now it's down to two pop. I really hope that your pp returns to what it used to be.
Thank you.
Brad Hamilton
Hi Brad,
The calendar has been put on hold due to a family emergency. I hope to have it restored very soon. Thanks for your patience.
Hello from Croatia , my name is Tomi . Just wanted to ask what happend with this page , since was great thing to seen upcomming postmarks and now it seems stop to work and was great help to me with USA collection . Hope come soon back again.
Thank you Tomi
Brad and Tomi, Check the following for a good recent summary of pictorial postmarks:
http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2018/pb22492/pb22492.pdf
Thanks very much for the answers about postmarks , but concerning bulletin's for me is problem since when publish it does not leave me time to sent prepared covers from Europe to postalk addresses to arrive there and back. That why I liked this page coz could choose postmarks with 1 month save peroid of senting there in time . JUST HOPE COME AGAIN IN WAY IT WAS .
Hi Tomi,
I've been dealing with a family emergency, which is why I have not been able to update the calendar recently. I hope that everything will be resolved soon and the calendar can get back to normal.
Thanks for your enthusiasm and for your support of Collect Postmarks.
The Pictorial Postmark Calendar is up-to-date once more. Thank you for your patience while it was being restored.
Thanks for keeping the site up. It works well for my one-stop center for pictorial postmarks. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Is there an option to mail a commemorative cover of an individual to their hometown city post office/ postmaster for hand canceling ? Not a FDC or stamp release
thank you
Kevin
Thanks for the question, Kevin. The answer is yes, and in fact I do it all the time. Instructions can be found at the "Sending for postmarks" page on this site.
Is the 100 years of flight correctly posted with a mailing address for frozen treats?
Seems kinda odd but just checking..
Thanks for catching that, Laurie! The mailing address was correct, but the station name got pulled in from another listing. Fixed now.
Are there post offices that offer special Halloween postmarks?
Hi Gail,
Yes, there should be. The designs and addresses will typically be announced within the two week period before Halloween. I'd recommend stopping by the site next week to check for new listings.
Also, you can use the Post Office Search on this site to find towns with suitable names. Perhaps you could try Broomfield, Colorado; Tombstone, Arizona; or Death Valley, California.
This is so totally excellent. I just might send some blanks this year and see what I get back. Halloween is on a Wednesday, so there shouldn't be a problem requesting Red Round Dater cancels.
And let's not forget Transylvania, LA! 13119 Highway 65 S 71286
Any idea if there will be a pictorial for the new matchbox stamp/s? Thx.
None have been announced thus far. We may find out more later this week. Please check back in a few days.
Anyone know of any upcoming postmarks for any Apollo 50th anniversary missions?
Does Apollo, PA have any special cancellations?
Anyone know of any upcoming postmarks for any Apollo 50th anniversary missions?
I know of one so far. WALPEX in Lexington, MA is celebrating Apollo 8 on October 27th, 2018. You can find instructions for ordering the postmark here.
Anybody have any info about a special pictorial postmark for the 2019 Super Bowl?
Thank you for making this list and always keeping it updated! I appreciate it.
You're welcome, Kaitie 😊
Hi, thank you for this website. I recently sent away for the duck stamp postmark and my envelope came back return to sender with a statement saying we do not have a postmark for this federal duck stamp. Does that mean there are only certain stamps they will cancel?
Hi Johanna,
For the duck stamp postmark, I believe they will cancel either this year's federal duck stamp or any envelope bearing at least First Class postage. They will not cancel previous years' duck stamps without additional postage. You could resubmit your cover and add a Forever stamp and they would cancel them together.
Thank you for the quick response! I will be more careful, however, I did put two duck stamps to compensate for the postage cost. I will try mailing it back with a flag stamp, thanks!