Digital Color Pictorial |
Love Stamp 2024
Issue date January 12, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI —Love Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline May 12, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Love Stamp 2024
Issue date January 12, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI —Love Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline May 12, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon Stamp 2024
Issue date January 25, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline May 25, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon Stamp 2024
Issue date January 25, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Lunar New Year: Year of the Dragon Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline May 25, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Constance Baker Motley Stamp 2024
Issue date January 31, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Constance Baker Motley Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline May 31, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Constance Baker Motley Stamp 2024
Issue date January 31, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Constance Baker Motley Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline May 31, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Saul Bellow Stamp 2024
Issue date February 6, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Saul Bellow Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline June 6, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Saul Bellow Stamp 2024
Issue date February 6, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Saul Bellow Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline June 6, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Radiant Star Stamp 2024
Issue date February 19, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Radiant Star Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline June 19, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
John Wooden Stamp 2024
Issue date February 24, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — John Wooden Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline June 24, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
John Wooden Stamp 2024
Issue date February 24, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — John Wooden Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline June 24, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
The Underground Railroad Stamp 2024
Issue date March 9, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — The Underground Railroad Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 9, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
The Underground Railroad Stamp 2024
Issue date March 9, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — The Underground Railroad Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 9, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Bluegrass Stamp 2024
Issue date March 15, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Bluegrass Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July15, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Bluegrass Stamp 2024
Issue date March 15, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Bluegrass Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July15, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Garden Delights Stamp 2024
Issue date March 16, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Garden Delights Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 16, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Garden Delights Stamp 2024
Issue date March 16, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Garden Delights Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 16, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Celebration Blooms Stamp 2024
Issue date March 22, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Celebration Blooms Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 22, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Celebration Blooms Stamp 2024
Issue date March 22, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Celebration Blooms Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 22, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Wedding Blooms Stamp 2024
Issue date March 22, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Wedding Blooms Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 22, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Wedding Blooms Stamp 2024
Issue date March 22, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Wedding Blooms Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 22, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Save Manatees Stamp 2024
Issue date March 27, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Save Manatees Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 27, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Save Manatees Stamp 2024
Issue date March 27, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Save Manatees Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline July 27, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Betty Ford Stamp 2024
Issue date April 5, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Betty Ford Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline August 5, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Betty Ford Stamp 2024
Issue date April 5, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Betty Ford Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline August 5, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Floral Geometry Stamp 2024
Issue date April 26, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Floral Geometry Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline August 26, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Floral Geometry Stamp 2024
Issue date April 26, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Floral Geometry Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline August 26, 2024
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Digital Color Pictorial |
Ansel Adams Stamp 2024
Issue date May 15, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Ansel Adams Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline September 15, 2024
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Black and White Pictorial |
Ansel Adams Stamp 2024
Issue date May 15, 2024.
FDCs to:
FDOI — Ansel Adams Stamp
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
FDC deadline September 15, 2024
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What Are First Day Covers?
First Day Covers are envelopes that bear a stamp cancelled on the first day it was issued.
Over the years the form that these covers take has changed. Covers that come down to us from the 19th century would have been those that happened to be commercially used—that is not prepared by collectors—on the first day the stamp was issued.
In many instances, even into the 20th Century for some stamps, the precise date of issue is not known, so Earliest Known, or Documented, Usages become the next best thing to FDCs.
As they were not intended to be collectibles, those early FDCs do not bear the First Day Cancellation that we see today. Instead, we see whatever cancel happened to be used where the cover was processed.
Those covers also would have come from whatever city the stamp might have been available, as opposed to the “Official First Day of Issue” sites that have become customary for most issues.
(Even today, some collectors who prefer postally used FDCs seek commercially used covers instead of those with the USPS First Day Cancellation.)
Collecting First Day Covers
As FDCs became a popular collecting area, the Post Office Department began producing special First Day of Issue cancellations, and arranged for collectors to send in their covers to receive the FDOI cancel. Those early FDOI cancels did not bear an illustration; today, the cancellation incorporates a design that is related to the stamp subject.
At first, collectors were required to send in the covers before the stamp was actually issued. Those rules were later relaxed so that today for most stamps, collectors have 60 days after the date of issue in which to submit their requests. However, those covers must bear the stamp(s) to which the FDOI cancel is to be applied.
The U.S. Postal Service also now sells its own FDCs for a modest premium over the face value of the stamp(s); however, those covers are blanks, and do not have the cachets—that is the designs printed or painted on the left side of, or all over, the cover—that most collectors prefer. Such cacheted covers may be obtained from Stamp News First Day Cover advertisers.
Another wrinkle added by the USPS are digital color cancels. For an extra $1.50 collectors can have a specially designed color cancel instead of the standard, free, black cancel that most collectors still use.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Digital Color or Traditional Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™, by telephone at 800-STAMP-24, or at The Postal Store® website at www.usps.com/shop.
Traditional Postmarks
Customers should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address them to themselves or others, or provide a self-addressed return envelope with sufficient postage large enough to accommodate the canceled item. Mail the request to the address provided by the Postal Service as provided in our First Day Cover Ordering Calendar. There is no charge for the first 50 postmarks. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. For more than 50 postmarks, customers should submit a check, money order, or credit card for payment. After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service™ will return the envelopes to the customer by U.S. Mail. (Note that you can provide a postpaid envelope in which your covers can be returned.)
Digital Color Postmarks
Only select stamp issues offer a digital color postmark. Customers may submit #6 or #10 envelopes with stamps affixed. The envelopes should be constructed of paper rated as "laser safe." The Postal Service recommends envelopes of 80-pound Accent Opaque, acid-free, 9/16" side seams with no glue on the flap. The maximum size of all digital color postmarks is 2" high x 4" long. Allow sufficient space on the envelope to accommodate the postmark. Do not use self-adhesive labels for addresses on the envelope. Two test envelopes must be included. There is a minimum of 10 envelopes at 50 cents per postmark required at the time of servicing. Customers should submit a check, money order, or credit card for payment.
The Postal Service reserves the right to not accept hand-painted and other cachet envelopes that are not compatible with their digital color postmark equipment. The Postal Service also reserves the right to substitute traditional black rubber postmarks if use of non-specified envelopes results in poor image quality or damage to equipment.
Tips for Collectors Seeking FDC Requests
To send the cover to the address to which it must be sent for the FDOI cancel, your FDCs should be sent in an outer envelope.Covers will need an address to which they should be returned. Since unaddressed covers are the standard collecting form for FDCs, a peelable label is the suggested form for black and white postmarks. For color postmarks, labels are not allowed. Nowadays, to prevent an additional cancellation's being applied in transit, or other damage to the cover, some collectors send along another return-addressed envelope in which the FDC can be returned by the USPS.
If a cover is damaged, or if you do not receive all of your covers, submit a full description of your request to Stamp Fulfillment Services, Cancellation Services, P.O. BOX 499992, Kansas City, MO 64144-9992. The description should include the stamp issue, a description of the envelope, the number and placement of stamps, quantity of covers, and any other information that may assist in locating or replacing your covers. Requests for exchanges or claims must be received within six months of the issue date.
Covers sent for cancellation must bear sufficient postage to cover the First Class rate. This is important for stamps with a denomination less than that First Class rate.
In addition to the new issue for which the FD cancel is being sought, you can place other stamps adjacent to that stamp. Even used or foreign stamps are acceptable, as long as there is sufficient unused postage to cover the First Class rate, and those used or foreign stamps are affixed in such a way that they will not be cancelled by the FDOI cancellation.
Each cover must have inside a filler card of index or postal card thickness, with the envelope either sealed or with the flap tucked in—the latter being the preferred collecting format.
The addresses to which covers should be sent are supplied by the U.S. Postal Service. They are published in Mekeel’s & Stamps as they are received, and they are posted to our online: USPS New Issues Calendar.
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