dorincard
Member 
Posts: 1,450 
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 26, 2017 18:25:46 GMT
 Golden Tabby Tiger personalized stamp from Zazzle. Yes, some view it as a "meter stamp with an image". But I view it as a true personalized stamp, for all intents and purposes. What do you think?  |
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Apr 26, 2017 18:42:06 GMT
These are not meters with images but rather are, as you suggest, custom or personalized stamps. The USPS also refers to them as both custom stamps and personalized stamps. As such, they merit a thread of their own.
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 26, 2017 18:54:47 GMT
Sure, Tomisek. I wish that everybody in USPS and among the stamp collectors would agree with us on that.
For that, some technical interpretations would have to be modified in POM and DMM, the "bibles" of USPS operations.
So I asked the Postmaster General to specify that postmarks/handcancels should be ALLOWED on such personalized stamps, for philatelic purposes, even if the postmarks/handcancels are not REQUIRED on them.
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Apr 26, 2017 19:24:02 GMT
dorincard , I see no prohibition in the Postal Operations Manual regarding hand back service of these types of postage. Can you cite a paragraph reference or was the refusal to postmark the result of a postal clerk's interpretation?
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 28, 2017 3:26:20 GMT
This was a ruling from 2007: about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2007/html/pb22199/pb10f-s_004.htmlNOTICE Requests for Postmarking on Customized Postage Customized PostageTM is a program being pilot tested with authorized customized postage providers. Customized Postage allows certain forms of private expression to appear immediately adjacent to and integrated with postage indicia. Customized Postage indicia are a form of PC Postage® and are not stamps. Therefore, similar to meter mail and other forms of PC Postage, Customized Postage does not require postmarking. Customers or stamp collectors requesting special or pictorial postmarks on Customized Postage must place the appropriate First-Class Mail® rate stamp next to the Customized Postage to receive a postmark. — Stamps Services, Government Relations, 2-1-07 |
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 28, 2017 3:37:30 GMT
Here's a more recent ruling, with which I strongly disagree: "9-2.2 Special Materials on Which Postmarks Are Requested h. Photo Stamps, Personalized Postage; PC Postage; Postage Validation Imprinter Strips; Bulk, Nonprofit, and Presorted First–Class Stamps; or Metered Postage. Items may be canceled with a U.S. Postal Service postmark only when unused U.S. postage stamps at the applicable First–Class Mail rate is canceled with the same stroke."about.usps.com/handbooks/po230/po230c9_004.htm
Whoever concocted this rule does not have an open mind. What's the problem if a postmark is applied, in the very rare instances when a stamp collector asks for a postmark on a personalized stamp???
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 28, 2017 3:57:33 GMT
We all have seen, I guess, covers with a meter stamp (not personalized stamp) over which an inkjet spray cancel was automatically applied ANYWAY by the sorting machine. Sure, that was not supposed to happen, but it happens frequently. So, what's the biggie? No harm done, in that case, if there is no philatelic interest at stake. But in the case of a personalized stamp, there is a philatelic interest, usually. If I send a cover or a maxicard-as-a-postcard by mail, then I WANT a visible postmark onto the personalized stamp, as proof of mailing. Look at this. Tell me if this was circulated by mail, or not, (maxicard sent as a postcard?), judging by the stamp and the postmark (or the lack thereof). How would YOU know? Only a specialized scanner from SOME USPS post offices could indicate if this really went through the mail stream, and was properly decoded and thus voided for postal re-use.  |
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 28, 2017 4:22:42 GMT
How about this: did this go through the mail, or not? Again, how would YOU know?  In this case, even a USPS scanner might not know if the personalized stamp is still valid for postage, or it was voided. The code is still not processed by a postal scanner. But a postal worker would see what I see: a handcancel was applied, with the purpose of postally-voiding the stamp. Only I know the complete story of this item, of course. The "postcard" is actually a page from a book, which I have "postcardized", to create a non-traditional maxicard. Since a postal worker (or the sorting machine) might have refused to cancel that stamp, I decided to postmark it with my own postmarking device, based on the MPP (Mailer's Postmark Permit -see USPS Form 3615 about.usps.com/forms/ps3615.pdf). Then, since the page is glossy, I experimented with the postmark applied onto a transparent label, which I affixed after that onto the "postcard". This can be considered my own "philatelic hand-back" (not mail-back), since I did myself what a postal worker could have done at a postal counter, in the post office, IF they agreed to postmark a personalized stamp. |
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tomiseksj
Moderator
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,265
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Apr 28, 2017 12:13:26 GMT
The first reference cited is a decade old and refers to customized postage as being a "pilot test" -- the second reference from August 2011 applied only to pictorial postmarks. The Postal Operations Manual, updated through July 2016, contains no postmarking prohibition specifically related to customized postage, personalized postage or photo stamps (see section 23, Philatelic Postmarks) so I wonder if those earlier restrictions have been eliminated. You mentioned that you've queried the PMG about this issue -- have you received any type of response? |
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 28, 2017 19:49:54 GMT
Unlike PMG Donahoe, who surprisingly answered my email the same day, the current PMG Brenan seems to be "oh, so busy"...even for delegating a response. But I don't blame her; there are thousands more important postal issues she has to deal with, daily. I guess.
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 28, 2017 23:52:23 GMT
From an email to me from The Caves (Stamp Fulfillment Services in Kansas City, Missouri), March 3, 2017:
"Mar 10
Good Morning Dorin,
I apologize for the delay & I regret to advise we will NOT cancel the postcards bearing the zazzle stamps as the postage is considered cancelled postage."
"I still cannot cancel them [the Zazzle stamps] without mint [regular USPS] postage affixed, be it for an FDOI or a pictorial postmark."
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 29, 2017 0:14:20 GMT
I also submitted a request to USPS about the above issues.
"eCustomerCare National <ECCADUSER@usps.gov>
Mar 27
to me
In order to better serve you, your recently submitted inquiry was forwarded to an office that is better suited to address your needs. It is being investigated and will be responded to as quickly as possible."
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 29, 2017 0:31:30 GMT
Here's a more recent ruling (Aug 2011), with which I strongly disagree: "9-2.2 Special Materials on Which Postmarks Are Requested h. Photo Stamps, Personalized Postage; PC Postage; Postage Validation Imprinter Strips; Bulk, Nonprofit, and Presorted First–Class Stamps; or Metered Postage. Items may be canceled with a U.S. Postal Service postmark only when unused U.S. postage stamps at the applicable First–Class Mail rate is canceled with the same stroke."about.usps.com/handbooks/po230/po230c9_004.htm
Whoever concocted this rule does not have an open mind. What's the problem if a postmark is applied, in the very rare instances when a stamp collector asks for a postmark on a personalized stamp??? Link to "Summary of Changes"Handbook PO-230 - Pictorial Postmarks August 2011 Summary of Changes Transmittal Letter 1 Introduction 2 General Information 3 Format Requirements and Restrictions3-1 Required Information3-2 Size Limitations3-3 Design Limitations3-4 Dating Postmarks for Multiple–Day Events3-5 Restricted Illustrations, Wording, and Designs3-6 Authorization for Artwork3-7 Authorization for Names and Images 4 Applying for Pictorial Postmarks4-1 Letter of Request and Pictorial Postmark Artwork4-2 Supporting Information 5 Approving or Rejecting Requests5-1 Overview5-2 Conditions for Acceptance5-3 Approval/Rejection of the Request 6 Publicity6-1 Policy6-2 Arranging National Publicity6-3 Arranging Local Publicity6-4 Canceling or Amending Previously Published Announcements 7 Pictorial Postmark Handstamps and Ink Color7-1 Procurement and Use of Handstamps7-2 Color of Ink7-3 Return and Disposition of Handstamps 8 Special Requests to Retain Handstamp8-1 Requests to Retain a Pictorial Postmark Handstamp8-2 Approving and Rejecting Requests 9 Pictorial Postmark Service9-1 Types of Service9-2 Conditions for Servicing9-3 Extending Mail–Back Service 10 Backdating and Pre–Dating 11 Cooperation With Collectors11-1 Clear and Legible Postmarks11-2 Handling11-3 Covers in the Mailstream 12 Damaged or Missing Covers12-1 Requests for Replacements12-2 Conditions for Replacements12-3 Customer Returns12-4 Stale Postmarks12-5 Time Limit for Complaints and Issues12-6 Unsettled Complaints and Issues12-7 Cacheted Covers 13 Temporary Philatelic Stations13-1 Purpose13-2 Set–up13-3 Signs and Displays13-4 Staffing |
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coastalcollector
Member
Inactive
Posts: 98
What I collect: Worldwide Space, U58, U59 Entires, Machine Cancel Covers, German Private Postage of the late 1890's, Misc.
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Post by coastalcollector on Apr 29, 2017 1:42:25 GMT
I find this thread fascinating. Why would the USPS require you to pay for an additional first class stamp just for a clerk applied postmark? Also, I guess that a machine won't do it because it reads the code on the personalized/ preprinted stamp and it tells it not to cancel it. Is that correct?
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 29, 2017 3:21:16 GMT
I find this thread fascinating. Why would the USPS require you to pay for an additional first class stamp just for a clerk applied postmark? Also, I guess that a machine won't do it because it reads the code on the personalized/ preprinted stamp and it tells it not to cancel it. Is that correct? Hey, USPS, why have you charged us a first-class rate postage, simply for applying a postmark on a cover or postcard (or maxicard) that WILL NOT even need to be delivered to an address? I'm talking about the "philatelic hand-back" situation. The answer could sound "à la Bill Clinton":  Just kidding... Actually, I think USPS wants at least a few cents (34 cents nowadays for postcard, or 49 cents for cover) compensation for the time it takes the postal associate to apply the postmark. |
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Apr 29, 2017 3:29:20 GMT
 The postal sorting machines don't always read/scan the code (IBI) on a personalized stamp. See the orange/reddish inkjet spray cancel applied ANYWAY, even if this maxicard/postcard was franked with a personalized stamp (plus 3 more personalized stamps on the address side), effectively going through the mail from USA to Romania? Also, the sorting machine disregarded the existence of the MPP cancel ALREADY applied (by me) on the personalized stamp. |
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coastalcollector
Member
Inactive
Posts: 98
What I collect: Worldwide Space, U58, U59 Entires, Machine Cancel Covers, German Private Postage of the late 1890's, Misc.
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Post by coastalcollector on Apr 29, 2017 15:32:44 GMT
I looked through my stash of covers sent to me and found this one. It was an Ebay return and the buyer reused the original envelope I sent to him. When I posted it, I used a stamps.com home printed stamp and it can be seen that it was not canceled per the regulations. When the sender returned it to me and reused it, he crossed out my original stamp and partially covered it with selvage from the 1863 USPS Civil War issue. He then affixed a new forever stamp most likely from the same Civil War pane. Interestingly, the stamp itself was not postmarked but sent through the canceling machine and the spray on canceled the modified stamp.com postage adhesive. The clerk at the sending post office nor the clerk at the receiving end in Sacramento bothered to cancel the 1st class stamp.  |
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on May 23, 2017 3:56:52 GMT
At the NY2016 World Exposition, there were 8 different pictorial postmarks available. Of my 8 letters with up to 50 maxicards each, only 1 letter has received a pictorial postmark EVEN ON the Zazzle stamps!!! See? It was no big deal, the Earth did not shatter, and the sky did not fall either. Postmarking the personalized stamps with a pictorial postmark should be allowed, for philatelic purposes. To me, it's a no-brainer. To some others, it's a real "brainer"...  |
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mikeclevenger
Member
Posts: 887
What I collect: Ohio Tax Stamps, Ohio & Georgia Revenues, US Revenues, US FDC's, & Germany Classics
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Post by mikeclevenger on Jan 4, 2018 13:55:13 GMT
I guess I am lucky because the ladies at my post office will cancel them for me if I want. But then again, she collects stamps also.
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Post by butterfly on Jan 4, 2018 14:37:53 GMT
Sounds like a great opportunity to reuse the same stamp over and over again, until it finally does get cancelled. For example, by sending a letter to yourself!
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Post by butterfly on Jan 4, 2018 16:11:33 GMT
Here are four more from Austria. They were introduced in 2003. Two of them are listed in www.stampworld.com as issued by post.at I don't have a modern catalog, so I'm don't know if Scott or others include them. Anyway they are fairly common and seem to be produced mostly by charitable organizations and companies. I have booklets containing them also, all of which seem to have been produced by printers in cooperation with post.at  |
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Jan 6, 2018 4:57:06 GMT
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Post by ronbreznay on Jul 8, 2018 16:49:24 GMT
For the 240th anniversary of the Battle of Wyoming on July 3, 2018, the Wyoming Valley Stamp Club produced the above cover. The battle took place in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, which is in the northeastern part of the state. A small band of patriot soldiers in the valley were attacked by a large force of British soldiers, loyalists, and Iroquois. The patriots were massacred, with only a few escaping. The stamp shows the Wyoming Monument, which was built in 1833 to house the bones of the patriot soldiers who were massacred and had been buried in a mass grave. Every year, beginning in 1878, the Wyoming Commemorative Association holds a memorial ceremony at the Wyoming Monument on July 4. For pictures of this year's event, see the Wyoming Valley Stamp Club's Facebook page.
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,450
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Jul 12, 2018 15:46:54 GMT
Nice p-stamp! I bet it was obtained before 5/15/18.
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renden
Member
Posts: 8,711
What I collect: World W collector with ++ interests in BNA (Canada etc) and USA
Member is Online
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Post by renden on Jul 13, 2018 0:17:33 GMT
Have never seen this in my Country (Canada).....well....we must be different or I am ignorant of it !!
René
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Post by jamesw on Jul 13, 2018 2:09:02 GMT
Sure you have, render. in 2011 Canada Post introduced Picture Postage ( PP1-PP9 in your Unitrade catalogue). Send in a picture, get it on a stamp.
Sorry I don't have any to show you, too new for my blood.
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Post by jamesw on Jul 14, 2018 21:46:58 GMT
Found Travis ages ago in a collection of stamps.  |
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