
The USPS First Day of Issue is a significant event in the world of philately. It marks the official release of a new postage stamp.
This special occasion is celebrated with great fanfare, featuring a unique postmark that's only available on the first day of issue. The postmark is a coveted collectible among stamp enthusiasts.
The first USPS First Day of Issue took place in 1847, when the United States Post Office issued its first postage stamps. This event marked the beginning of a long tradition of commemorating significant events and people through postage stamps.
Each First Day of Issue is carefully planned and executed to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for collectors and postal enthusiasts.
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Creating Custom Covers
You can create your own custom First Day Cover, but to make it official, you'll need to follow the USPS's instructions.
To get the First Day of Issue cancel, you'll need to send your cover to the USPS.
The USPS will cancel your cover with the First Day of Issue postmark, making it an official First Day Cover.
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What Is a Cover?

A cover can be a simple envelope or postcard, but it's the foundation of a First Day Cover.
A First Day Cover is an envelope (or postcard) with a postage stamp canceled on the stamp's issue date (first day it was available to the public), which makes the issue date a crucial piece of information for collectors.
The issue date is what makes a First Day Cover unique, and it's what collectors are looking for when they search for these special covers.
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What is Cachet?
A cachet is an image or small piece of artwork sometimes added to a First Day Cover. It's a fun way to personalize your cover and make it stand out. The subject of the cachet relates in some way to the subject of the postage stamp on the cover. This connection can be as simple as a matching theme or as complex as a clever pun.
What Is an Unofficial Cover?

An unofficial First Day Cover is a unique and special way to collect postage stamps.
It includes a postage stamp canceled on its first day of issue, but not in the designated first day city.
This can happen when someone is far from the city where the stamp is being issued and wants to get a stamp canceled on its first day.
According to the rules, official First Day Covers must be canceled either at the postage stamp's First Day of Issue ceremony or by mailing the First Day Cover to USPS Cancellation Services headquarters.
This means that an unofficial First Day Cover doesn't meet these specific requirements.
Creating Custom Covers
You can create custom covers, but if you want it to be an official First Day Cover, you'll need to follow the USPS instructions.
Yes, you can make your own custom covers, but they won't have the First Day of Issue cancel.
To make an official First Day Cover, you'll need to get a First Day of Issue cancel from the USPS.
It's worth noting that making your own custom covers can be a fun and creative project.
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Data Collection and Benefits

The United States Postal Service (USPS) collects data on the first day of issue for each stamp, including the number of stamps sold and the revenue generated.
This data helps USPS track the popularity of each stamp and make informed decisions about future stamp releases.
The data also helps USPS to identify trends and patterns in stamp sales, such as which topics or designs are most popular.
USPS uses this data to inform its marketing and sales strategies, ensuring that the most popular stamps are well-promoted and easily available to collectors.
By analyzing the data, USPS can also identify areas where it can improve its operations, such as streamlining the production and distribution of stamps.
This data collection and analysis process has helped USPS to become a more efficient and effective organization, better equipped to meet the needs of its customers and collectors.
Postmark and History
Prior to 1840, postage costs were very high and were usually paid by the person who received the mail. This often resulted in a considerable sum being paid.
Sir Rowland Hill calculated that the cost to the Post Office was far less than what some people were paying to send/receive their mail; this figure was just a fraction of 1d. Hill believed that sending mail should be affordable to all.
On 10 January 1840, a Uniform 1d postmark was released, allowing a universal penny postage rate.
Postmark
A postmark is one of the most important features of a cover, and it's what shows that a stamp has been used and can't be re-used.
The postmark is created by a post office and is used to cancel a stamp, making it invalid for further use. Circular Date Stamps (CDS) are the most common type of postmark, and they feature the town's name and date in a circular shape.
A CDS postmark is very straightforward and doesn't have a picture. If you want to use a CDS postmark from a town relevant to the stamp's issue, you'll have to go to the town's local post office to get it.
The postmark should touch each stamp and link them to the envelope, which makes the cover more interesting and valuable.
In the UK, collectors started to demand more interesting cancellations on their first day covers in the early 1960s. This led to the creation of special postmarks, such as the one for the Red Cross issue in 1963, which was posted at Florence Nightingale's birthplace.
The U.S. Postal Service chooses a city, or several, as 'official' first day cities. These postmarks have a special connection to the stamp issue being released and are the only ones that have the wording: 'First Day of Issue'.
Here are some types of postmarks mentioned in the article:
- Killer Bar – A simple, circular date cancel with four horizontal lines and “First Day of Issue”
- Black and White Pictorial – A cancel with an image and text in black ink with date, city, stamp name, and “First Day of Issue”
- Digital Color Postmark (DCP) – A cancel with a colorful image related to the stamp subject as well as the usual text detailing issue date, city, and “First Day of Issue”
History
Prior to 1840, postage costs were very high and were usually paid by the person who received the mail.
The cost was measured by how many sheets were in the letter and how far the letter had to go, which sometimes amounted to a very considerable sum.

Sir Rowland Hill calculated that the cost to the Post Office was far less than what some people were paying to send/receive their mail, and this figure was just a fraction of 1d.
Hill believed that sending mail should be affordable to all, so he proposed that postage should be pre-paid, based on the weight rather than the number of sheets.
The Uniform 1d postmark was released on 10 January 1840, allowing a universal penny postage rate.
This was a postmark that was paid and was applied when the letter was sent.
The Penny Black stamp was born when it was decided that an adhesive label should be used to prevent forgeries and mis-use of the postal service.
The Penny Black stamp was officially released for sale on 6 May 1840.
However, several post offices that received the stamps prior to that date released the stamps early, with the City of Bath being known for releasing the stamps on 2 May 1840.
What to Expect

If you're planning to attend a USPS First Day of Issue event, be prepared for a crowd. These events are always well-attended.
You'll have the opportunity to purchase the new stamp or coin before it's available to the general public.
The event usually takes place at a post office or other designated location.
You'll need to arrive early to secure a spot in line, as the first 100 customers are often given a special certificate.
The event typically lasts for a few hours, allowing you to collect the new item and take part in any related activities.
You'll be able to purchase the new item in a special envelope or folder, which often includes a certificate of authenticity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a USPS first-day cover?
A USPS First-Day Cover is an envelope or postcard with a canceled postage stamp that was first issued to the public on a specific date. It's a unique collectible item that commemorates the stamp's release date.
Does the post office still issue First Day Covers?
Yes, the post office still issues First Day Covers, which are unique collectibles featuring a commemorative stamp and postmark. You can even personalize yours with a name, address, and custom postmark.
Sources
- https://info.mysticstamp.com/learn/everything-you-need-to-know-about-first-day-covers-and-how-to-collect-them/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_day_of_issue
- https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamps-postal-history/2015/june/what-to-look-for-and-what-to-expect-at-a-usps-first-day-ceremony.html
- https://www.firstdaycoversonline.com/usps-souvenir-pages/
- https://schulzmuseum.org/stampceremony/
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