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General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

 

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GeoStamper
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Steve

05 Mar 2016
12:10:57am
I belong to a non-profit that is holding its annual meeting in another state (Virginia) this June. I was toying with the idea of creating a special cover for the event. Is obtaining a Mailer's Postmark Permit (MPP) the way to go?

I envision printing cachets on envelopes, applying the correct postage, and then cancelling with an appropriate cancel.

How long does it take to obtain a MPP? Could I accomplish this by June?

I've read that the MPP does not permit fancy or slogan cancels. That is, they must be of a certain specified format. So I couldn't make a cancel with our society's logo for example. Is that correct?

Maybe the MPP is overkill for what I want to do (one time event). If all of that is too cumbersome, is there any problem with creating the covers and cancelling them with my own fancy cancel, but then just not putting them into the postal system?

I have found this site helpful: http://www.mppclub.org/FAQ.htm

Thanks!
Steve

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"What are you waiting for? Those stamps aren't going to collect themselves."
musicman
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APS #213005

05 Mar 2016
07:59:40am
re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

You have to complete an application for the postal service to approve -
it's Form 3615, then it has to be approved by the local postmaster.

You have to follow the instructions carefully. And when applying, it is recommended to already have your postmark stamp, as they will need an actual example to keep on file.
Also, it would be a good idea to print and use a copy of the application form that is available from the MPPC website to go along with the actual 3615 form.

And yes, your cancel design has to follow certain guidelines as specified on the above-mentioned paperwork. They do not allow anything fancy.


This is all according to the dealings I have had with my post office and through email communications with the secretary of the MPPC.


And again, this is to the best of my knowledge. I may not be 100% accurate on all counts - its just from memory.Happy


Hope this helps!

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musicman
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APS #213005

05 Mar 2016
08:02:46am
re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

https://about.usps.com/forms/ps3615.pdf


Here's the form.

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musicman
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APS #213005

05 Mar 2016
08:43:31am
re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

Good point, Anglophile.....

Yes, you can't just drop them in the mail; they have to be taken to the window at the same P.O. that approved you. And you have to do this every time you use your cancel and want to send it through the mailstream.

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BenFranklin1902
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Tom in Exton, PA

05 Mar 2016
09:22:07am

Approvals
re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

Many event covers are created as fund raisers and advertised in the philatelic press and within the host organization. I don't know if your goal is to create a cover like this, souvenirs for attendees, or just a handful for yourself and friends.

Rather than the mailers postmark, you could ask the local post office there to support your group by having a pictorial postmark created.

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smaier
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Sally

05 Mar 2016
12:22:08pm
re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

Our club does an annual show cover. We try to pick a stamp that relates in some way to our show or locale and create a cachet and pictorial cancel.

Having a good relationship with your postmaster really helps. I create the pictorial cancel, submit a cover letter stating that I am the creator of the cancel and give the post office permission to use it, complete the USPS form # PS413 Pictorial Postmark Announcement /Report, and mail the whole deal to the postmaster.

I also include a copy of what our cacheted cover will look like (with and without the applied cancel).

I do all this as soon as possible, several months in advance. The USPS has to approve it and then they will send it out to a local print shop to have the cancel device made. They have allowed us to have the cancel a couple weeks in advance of our show to allow time to get show covers canceled (the ink takes a while to dry).

The USPS attends our show and I return the device to the rep then.

If you start now, you should have time to get a cover and cancel done for your event.

Linn's will put an ad in their "covers" section but only one time. You have to get the information in several weeks ahead of time and then it is as "space permits". That being said, they have been very accomodating.


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GeoStamper
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Steve

05 Mar 2016
12:28:41pm
re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

Thanks for all of the input and suggestions. Sounds like the MPP might be overkill for what we have in mind. The fact that the MPP only works in the post office in which it is issued would be problematic as well.

Also sounds like I will not run afoul of any federal postal regulations if I create a cachet envelope, add stamps, cancel it myself with a home-made cancel, and then offer it to participants for a nominal fee (basically cost of stamps and materials). Is that a reasonable understanding?

The suggestion of having a local post office provide the cancels, possibly with a pictorial postmark, is interesting. Any experiences with doing that? Or, ideas on how to go about doing that short of cold-calling the post office out in Virginia?

Edit: Just saw Sally's post that basically answered these last couple questions. Thanks Sally for reading my mind!

-Steve


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"What are you waiting for? Those stamps aren't going to collect themselves."
smaier
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Sally

05 Mar 2016
12:36:17pm
re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

I am not sure about a homemade cancel. It isn't too difficult to stay within the USPS guidelines. See my post above. I am glad to answer questions you have about the process.

Your local post office could approve the cancel, and you could get it made and prepare your covers in advance of your event. That's what I do but it does take the trust and cooperation of your postmaster. If you had to, you could cancel the covers at your local post office (if they won't let you have the cancel to take home).

Even the nasty postmaster who was here years ago let us have the cancel device though - most can be reasonable if you just explain what and why.....

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Noernberg
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05 Mar 2016
12:39:35pm
re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

As an alternative to MPP, you can actually have special event cancels created, but it might be on the late side if your event is in June.

Here is a link to a page by Keith Larson explaining the process. I'm sure more information could be found on the subject.

http://sossi.org/postmark/uscancels.htm

You often see advertisements for special event cancels that are available in Linn's.

-Doug

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www.noernbergstamps.com
smaier
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Sally

05 Mar 2016
12:45:23pm
re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

The special event postmark is the same thing as a pictorial postmark. note that there is a size limit on how big your cancel can be, so before getting carried away with your design, make sure it fits in the box on the form.

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Author/Postings
Members Picture
GeoStamper

Steve
05 Mar 2016
12:10:57am

I belong to a non-profit that is holding its annual meeting in another state (Virginia) this June. I was toying with the idea of creating a special cover for the event. Is obtaining a Mailer's Postmark Permit (MPP) the way to go?

I envision printing cachets on envelopes, applying the correct postage, and then cancelling with an appropriate cancel.

How long does it take to obtain a MPP? Could I accomplish this by June?

I've read that the MPP does not permit fancy or slogan cancels. That is, they must be of a certain specified format. So I couldn't make a cancel with our society's logo for example. Is that correct?

Maybe the MPP is overkill for what I want to do (one time event). If all of that is too cumbersome, is there any problem with creating the covers and cancelling them with my own fancy cancel, but then just not putting them into the postal system?

I have found this site helpful: http://www.mppclub.org/FAQ.htm

Thanks!
Steve

Like
Login to Like
this post

"What are you waiting for? Those stamps aren't going to collect themselves."
Members Picture
musicman

APS #213005
05 Mar 2016
07:59:40am

re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

You have to complete an application for the postal service to approve -
it's Form 3615, then it has to be approved by the local postmaster.

You have to follow the instructions carefully. And when applying, it is recommended to already have your postmark stamp, as they will need an actual example to keep on file.
Also, it would be a good idea to print and use a copy of the application form that is available from the MPPC website to go along with the actual 3615 form.

And yes, your cancel design has to follow certain guidelines as specified on the above-mentioned paperwork. They do not allow anything fancy.


This is all according to the dealings I have had with my post office and through email communications with the secretary of the MPPC.


And again, this is to the best of my knowledge. I may not be 100% accurate on all counts - its just from memory.Happy


Hope this helps!

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
musicman

APS #213005
05 Mar 2016
08:02:46am

re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

https://about.usps.com/forms/ps3615.pdf


Here's the form.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
musicman

APS #213005
05 Mar 2016
08:43:31am

re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

Good point, Anglophile.....

Yes, you can't just drop them in the mail; they have to be taken to the window at the same P.O. that approved you. And you have to do this every time you use your cancel and want to send it through the mailstream.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
BenFranklin1902

Tom in Exton, PA
05 Mar 2016
09:22:07am

Approvals

re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

Many event covers are created as fund raisers and advertised in the philatelic press and within the host organization. I don't know if your goal is to create a cover like this, souvenirs for attendees, or just a handful for yourself and friends.

Rather than the mailers postmark, you could ask the local post office there to support your group by having a pictorial postmark created.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
smaier

Sally
05 Mar 2016
12:22:08pm

re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

Our club does an annual show cover. We try to pick a stamp that relates in some way to our show or locale and create a cachet and pictorial cancel.

Having a good relationship with your postmaster really helps. I create the pictorial cancel, submit a cover letter stating that I am the creator of the cancel and give the post office permission to use it, complete the USPS form # PS413 Pictorial Postmark Announcement /Report, and mail the whole deal to the postmaster.

I also include a copy of what our cacheted cover will look like (with and without the applied cancel).

I do all this as soon as possible, several months in advance. The USPS has to approve it and then they will send it out to a local print shop to have the cancel device made. They have allowed us to have the cancel a couple weeks in advance of our show to allow time to get show covers canceled (the ink takes a while to dry).

The USPS attends our show and I return the device to the rep then.

If you start now, you should have time to get a cover and cancel done for your event.

Linn's will put an ad in their "covers" section but only one time. You have to get the information in several weeks ahead of time and then it is as "space permits". That being said, they have been very accomodating.


Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
GeoStamper

Steve
05 Mar 2016
12:28:41pm

re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

Thanks for all of the input and suggestions. Sounds like the MPP might be overkill for what we have in mind. The fact that the MPP only works in the post office in which it is issued would be problematic as well.

Also sounds like I will not run afoul of any federal postal regulations if I create a cachet envelope, add stamps, cancel it myself with a home-made cancel, and then offer it to participants for a nominal fee (basically cost of stamps and materials). Is that a reasonable understanding?

The suggestion of having a local post office provide the cancels, possibly with a pictorial postmark, is interesting. Any experiences with doing that? Or, ideas on how to go about doing that short of cold-calling the post office out in Virginia?

Edit: Just saw Sally's post that basically answered these last couple questions. Thanks Sally for reading my mind!

-Steve


Like
Login to Like
this post

"What are you waiting for? Those stamps aren't going to collect themselves."
Members Picture
smaier

Sally
05 Mar 2016
12:36:17pm

re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

I am not sure about a homemade cancel. It isn't too difficult to stay within the USPS guidelines. See my post above. I am glad to answer questions you have about the process.

Your local post office could approve the cancel, and you could get it made and prepare your covers in advance of your event. That's what I do but it does take the trust and cooperation of your postmaster. If you had to, you could cancel the covers at your local post office (if they won't let you have the cancel to take home).

Even the nasty postmaster who was here years ago let us have the cancel device though - most can be reasonable if you just explain what and why.....

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
Noernberg

05 Mar 2016
12:39:35pm

re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

As an alternative to MPP, you can actually have special event cancels created, but it might be on the late side if your event is in June.

Here is a link to a page by Keith Larson explaining the process. I'm sure more information could be found on the subject.

http://sossi.org/postmark/uscancels.htm

You often see advertisements for special event cancels that are available in Linn's.

-Doug

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.noernbergstamps. ...
Members Picture
smaier

Sally
05 Mar 2016
12:45:23pm

re: Questions about Mailer's Postmark Permit

The special event postmark is the same thing as a pictorial postmark. note that there is a size limit on how big your cancel can be, so before getting carried away with your design, make sure it fits in the box on the form.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.
        

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