National Stamp Collecting Month - Pictorial Cancellation

Some years ago, I remember the US Postal Service used to do a big promotional campaign about October being National Stamp Collecting Month.

Although I haven't seen too much attention given to it in recent years, in reading the latest issue of the Postal Bulletin, I see that the town of Steamboat Rock, Iowa has a cute pictorial cancellation available upon request that promotes that initiative:



I, for one, have never heard of Steamboat Rock, Iowa before, but in looking it up on the internet it is a central Iowa town with a whopping population of 336!

Nevertheless, I post the information here for anyone who may be interested in requesting the pictorial cancellation.

There really isn't a big push in marketing by the USPS for National Stamp Month that I am aware of.

I think that town usually has a few pictorial postmarks a year, some of which are for annual events & celebrations. I recall reading the town name from previous postal bulletins.

What is it that makes one town in particular have so many different cancels? Is it from having a postmaster who collects covers? Is it a private individual from that town? Who does these?

Inquiring minds want to know!!

The USPS has issued an entire handbook related to the subject, but in a nutshell here is the general information:



The location where the pictorial cancellation is provided must publicize (via The Postal Bulletin) all information regarding obtaining said cancellations and collectors are typically allowed a 30 day grace period in which to request them from the Postmaster at the designated location.

Here's a link to the entire handbook, should anyone be interested:

http://about.usps.com/handbooks/po230.pdf

It does help to have a postmaster willing to accept the postmark application and a local rubber stamp printer available to make the cancelation device. Plus getting the community involved in the event and being aware of the availability of the postmark outside of the philatelic community is a bonus.

For instance, Springfield IL is well associated with Abraham Lincoln and has had many pictorial postmarks revolve around that topic not to mention official FDOI releases, there is an annual postmark & envelope for the IL State Fair a 10 day event, and an active stamp club the Springfield Philatelic Society that has an annual stamp show & bourse with a commemorative postmark and cachet cover.

The requested pictorial cancel just came in the mail to me today. At least someone hasn't forgotten that October is still National Stamp Collecting Month!