Thanks u/TyeDyeAmish for the MOMA card

Thank you:

• u/TyeDyeAmish for the warbler card - I've seen / photographed a blue warbler but I dont remember hearing him
• u/EchoofAsh for the Effin Birds card

Thank you:

• u/FollowingTheBeat for the lovely Heron native card. I love native art, great choice!
• u/PinkPengin for the meta sunshine card 🌈 ☀️

Thanks for the demotivational poster card u/PumkinSeed100

Hello RaoC - I've been asked a few times to create a guide on creating maxicards, or requesting pictorial post marks, so figured since I am getting ready to send out some cards to become maxicards, why not write up the process.

Postal Bulletin

The Postal Bulletin is your starting point. They are published bi-weekly on Thursdays and can be found here: https://about.usps.com/resources/postal-bulletin.htm

• Pictorial Postmark
  • I always use the PDF version, and scroll down past all the mumbo jumbo and you are looking for "Pictorial Postmarks Announcement."
  • This section shows the special short term (30 day) pictorial postmarks. If you got one of my Hall of Fame cards, this is one of them.
  • I'll use this as an example: https://photos.app.goo.gl/nR6rkoGhPtCs9VMT9
  • The date of Aug 8^(th) means we have to have the request postmarked and on the way to the station within 30 days (Sept ^(7th)). If you are going in person you need to be there the day of.
• First Day of Issue (FDOI, "traditional" maxicards, but the Pictorials can be used as maxicards too)
  • Scroll down to the "How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Digital Color or Traditional Postmarks" section which is usually immediately after the Pictorial Postmarks.
  • There are both black and white and color FDOI postmarks. Color postmarks are 50¢ each. I've not done these, so will not discuss details on them.
  • The date listed next to the postmark is the final day your request can be postmarked, unlike the pictorial postmarks.

Prepping Cards

There are two ways to proceed here:

• Just a special cancellation (like my Hall of Fame Offer)
  • If you just want a fancy cancellation you can address and write on your cards as normal, apply appropriate postage, and enclose them in an envelope and mail it to the listed address in the following format: Pictorial Postmarks // Name of the Station // Address, City, State, ZIP+4® Code, as listed next to the desired postmark.
  • You can also leave them unaddressed, and include a self addressed stamped envelope and have them returned to you that way.
  • Postage must meet the minimum rate for the item (postcard or international).
• Maxicard
  • If you want a maxicard, affix postage to the front of the card. The guide specifies "first class postage" - I have traditionally make up to 82c to meet this, but I am going to try with this most recent request to only meet the postcard rate. In theory it should work.
  • For these you will need to include a self addressed stamped envelope for them to be returned to you in.
  • Matte cards will work the best, and should be a light color for the black and white mark to be visible.

Prepped cards: https://photos.app.goo.gl/9gaLMhn8Bpi8Ko7s7

Mailing them

Once your cards are prepped, you need to prepare for mailing.

• At a minimum you need one envelope to send them out in. If you are just doing the special cancellations and all of the cards are addressed and stamped that's it.
• If you want maxicards, or some pictorial cancellations returned to you back in an envelope you need two of them. I use A4 sized envelopes if I am just shipping off cards (or for the return envelope) and an A7 envelope if I am sending cards and a self addressed stamped envelope, though your mileage may vary depending on your card sizes.
• For Pictorial Postmarks you don't need to include a note, but I always do, with my name and contact info just in case, and a request to stamp the front of the card (or postmark and send).
• For FDOI cancellations; in your note specify B&W or color, and if your doing color, include check, money order, or credit card info.
• Having a postal scale is handy, or you can go into the PO and weigh things with them, but I know my return envelope is just over an ounce so will use a 2oz forever stamp.
• Then in your main envelope, address as normal to the listed address.
• On a recent sending, I had a large number, I included three SASEs and in my note said to break them into three envelopes to prevent them from being too thick or heavy.

SASE, note, and cards ready: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bDPzo3YhpbzSk6LE7

All of the above, in an A7 envelope ready to go tomorrow: https://photos.app.goo.gl/kCjvduU68Pr84LmH7

Releases Sept 12^(th).

Thank you:

• u/sammanthax345 for the flamingo card. Don't go too crazy at the stamp show :D
• u/majesticleadership87 for the Pusheen card!
• u/armyofducks94 for the Job Swapping I Love Lucy magnet card!