The unveiling ceremony was well attended by the public, media, and a few collectors that I know. There were 3 elementary schools present and the staff of the Old State Capitol in period dress (Abe included). The speakers included the Springfield Postmaster, Mayor Tim Davlin, Ray LaHood, a rep from the Lincoln Bicenntennial Commission, The director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Libary and Musuem (whom has authored 24 books), and a few others.
It was also announced that Springfield IL will be the Official First Day of Issue city on Feb 9, 2009.
There is also a envelope cachet contest that will be used for the FDOI ceremony. In addition to that there will be a pictorial postmark on Lincoln's actual 200th birthday Feb 12, 2009. Each stamp had its own oversized image for the unveiling.
A letter sized handout was available that pictured The Old State Capitol building circa 1850 on one side and the music & words to the song "ILLINOIS" by C.H. Chamberlin on the other side, in addition to "Unveiling Ceremony Lincoln Bicentennial Stamps Ocotber 30, 2008 Old State Capitol" in the lower right hand corner. Also, there was a postcard sized card that pictured all 4 Lincoln Bicentennial Stamps on 1 side and the day and site of the unveiling ceremony on the flip side.
No postmarking device was available onsite by the USPS.
Posted 10/23/2008 12:41 pm
