New River Gorge Bridge Stamp - Fdoi V. Fdos Postmark

No wonder first day covers and cancels are losing their appeal. Look what West Virginia must go through if they want more than just a Washington, DC cancel on a stamp commemorating a bridge in their own State:

http://www.register-herald.com/toda...-not-locally

Hate to say it, but this has probably developed due to lack of interest on the part of the public and therefore...lack of funding. Releasing stamps at or near a point of significance likely costs the USPS more than simply releasing the stamp nation-wide. There are fewer stamp collectors, so fewer prospective customers for the first day covers, and fewer people at these events. Even worse, this demonstrates a lack of interest in the hobby from pretty high up in the USPS administration, if as they say, it would take a letter from Congress to change the current system. USPS is losing money so fast, it really doesn't surprise me to see this happen.

But it is interesting that the local postmaster has the authority to put together a ceremony -- if he or she wishes.

At least, I believe that's what it says.
KirkS

It is also upto the local postmaster to give the OK for a pictorial/field/event postmark to be manufactured and available upon request. Also, the PM has to approve any staff to man a table at a philatelic event. With short staffing issues & no overtime this has been a problem for many stamp shows, bourses, and expo's to get a USPS table and cancelling device available at the actual event.

Here's the latest (01/22/2011): Now it seems we're going to have a First Day of Issue in Washington, DC and a First Day of Sale Special Postmark in West Virignia...unless the politicians can change the mind of the USPS. We still have to wait and see, I guess:

http://www.register-herald.com/loca...d-in-Fayette