Covers?

[stebbinsgirl]

New here.. How can I obtain a cover or two with the cattle stamp and maybe new post office stamp/s if I don't have either of those stamp's? Maybe a cover with the flamingo stamp as well? What should I do? Do I need to send $ for cost of the stamps along with an sase to get them? Any info would be appreciated.. Thanks.

[khj]

Welcome to Stamp Bears, stebbinsgirl!

I no longer collect FDCs, but I'm sure some other members can provide you with the current details/process for getting FDCs serviced. Things have changed since the 1970s when I last had the post office service FDCs for me.

If the stamps in question are no longer current stamps (i.e., available at the post office), you will have to source the stamps elsewhere). At the turn of the century, you could order "blank" (i.e., uncacheted) FDCs of current stamps within a certain time frame, and they would be mailed to you. Not sure if that can still be done, and it was only for that stamp being issued on that date.

As far as I know, USPS does not take orders for "custom" FDCs. However, they used to allow you to mail in a self-addressed cover that you could attach other stamps of your choice (must include the actual first day of issue stamp), and they would service the cover by putting on First Day Cancel and mail it back to you "as is". That was 40 years ago. I will let Stamp Bears who still collect FDCs chime in and give you the current process...

Looking forward to seeing some pics of your covers!

k