This is the closest to the topic that I could find.
https://www.nalc.org/workplace-issu...-31-2021.pdfQuote:
23 Philatelic Postmarks
231 General
231.1 Definition
A philatelic postmark is an official postal postmark that contains the Post
Office name, city, state, ZIP Code, and date (month, day, and year) of the
canceling Post Office that accepted custody of the mailpiece(s), except as
provided in sections 231.61 and 231.7. Other postal markings are made by
validators, obliterators, or special-purpose cancellers. Postmarking for
philatelic purposes is provided at the request of collectors or philatelic cover
servicers for postmarking outside ordinary mail processing. This service
requires special procedures and arrangements so that other Postal Service
operations and services are not disrupted. This service may entail
hand-stamping requests, either on a hand-back or mail-back basis, and the
holding of mail for postmarking.
231.2 Policy
231.21 Publicity
The Postal Service makes philatelic postmarking services widely known to
customers and collectors by publicizing them in the Postal Bulletin.
231.22 Backdating and Predating
It is Postal Service policy to prohibit backdating of mail except:
a. When Postal Service operating requirements and public demand
necessitate that postmarking operations commence before or continue
after the date contained in the postmark.
b. When replacements are made for damaged, defective, or missing
postmarks.
c. When all requirements for postmarking are met by customers, and
postmarks are not applied because of errors of Postal Service
personnel.
d. As noted in references to first day of issue, first day of sale, and
pictorial postmarks provided in parts 232, 233, and 234.
231.23 Retail Associate Availability and Training
A sufficient number of Postal Service employees should be available to
provide speedy service. To provide hand-stamped postmarks of philatelic
quality, Postal Service employees should be trained in advance. Refer to
section 231.3 for philatelic postmarking procedures.
231.3 Cooperation With Collectors
231.31 Postmarks
Employees should strive to furnish clear and legible postmarks to stamp
collectors by ensuring that postmarking machines and hand-stamp devices
are properly inked. Postal Service employees must give special attention to
mail bearing an endorsement that is of philatelic value or to requests for light
Philately 231.4
POM Issue 9, July 2002 121
Updated With Revisions Through January 31, 2021
postmarks, and they should avoid canceling stamps by pen or illegible
smudging. However, stamps must be postmarked sufficiently to protect
Postal Service revenue.
231.32 Special Attention
The Postal Service cannot provide special attention to a philatelic cover if it
has been routinely entered into the mailstream by the sender. To avoid being
postmarked in the mailstream, items should be trayed or bagged separately
and flagged "nonmachineable" before sending to mail processing.
231.33 Postmarking Devices
Postmarking devices may be used only under the supervision of authorized
Postal Service personnel.
231.34 Hand-Stamped Postmarks
All hand-stamped postmarks are made with black ink unless authorized by
Stamp Services. For more information, refer to Handbook PO-230, Pictorial
Postmarks.
231.35 Philatelic Covers
Employees should exercise care in handling all philatelic covers to ensure
that they are not damaged in mail handling. These covers are generally
identifiable by a design (cachet) on the left side of the envelope. To avoid
being postmarked in the mailstream, items should be trayed or bagged
separately and flagged "nonmachineable" before sending to mail processing.
231.36 Defacing Philatelic Covers
Postal Service employees should ensure that philatelic covers are not overpostmarked; back-stamped, marked "received this date," or otherwise
defaced on front or back; used as a top piece in a bundle for destinationpackage labeling purposes; or bent, folded, mutilated, or damaged by rubber
bands.
231.4 Hand-Back and Mail-Back Service
Postmarks should be used to provide the following philatelic services
whenever they are available:
a. Hand-back Service
(1) When a customer personally presents an addressed or
unaddressed envelope, postal card, or other item described in
section 231.63 to a Postal Service employee for postmarking, the
Postal Service employee must examine the item to ensure that it
is clearly intended for philatelic purposes. Bill payments, tax
returns, applications, and/or other date-sensitive mail cannot be
handed back. Only after careful examination should a philatelic
item be postmarked and handed back to the customer/collector.
(2) The envelope, card, or other item does not enter the mailstream.
All such materials requesting postmarking must bear uncanceled
postage at the applicable First-Class MailŪ rate. If the customer
wants to mail the postmarked item, it must be trayed or bagged
231.5 Postal Operations Manual
122 POM Issue 9, July 2002
Updated With Revisions Through January 31, 2021
separately, and flagged "nonmachinable" to avoid being overpostmarked in processing.
(3) This service may be provided by special die hub or flyer
machines only when that particular postmarking machine is
readily accessible to the Postal Service employee and only when
providing such service does not interfere with other sales or mail
processing operations and/or does not inconvenience other
customers.
b. Mail-back Service
Mail-back service refers to the pictorial postmarking service for stamp
dealers and collectors and it allows envelopes, cards, or other items
submitted for servicing to be returned in bulk through the mail. To
avoid over-postmarking or getting marred in the mail, stamp dealers
and collectors must provide either a self-addressed stamped envelope
or box for returning the serviced items. For customers submitting fewer
than 50 covers who have not enclosed a self-addressed stamped
envelope, the postmaster may choose to furnish a protective cover
using a G-10 label. See subchapter 25 for more information pertaining
to Philatelic Cover Servicers and Cachet Makers.
231.5 Permissible Postmarking Devices and Hand-Stamped
Postmarking for Collectors
The postmark devices shown in Exhibit 231.5 may be used to provide handstamped postmarks for collectors.
Philately 231.62
POM Issue 9, July 2002 123
Updated With Revisions Through January 31, 2021
Exhibit 231.5
Hand-Stamped Postmarks
231.6 Philatelic Postmark Policy
231.61 Date and Place of Postmarking
Post Offices may provide postmarking for philatelic purposes before the
actual date of the postmark and may continue after that date when demand,
processing capability, or other requirements of the Postal Service dictate.
However, under no circumstances may any postmarked materials be
released before the date of the postmark. The postmaster or designee may
determine that local processing capability requires philatelic postmarking
services be performed at an office other than the Post Office of the official
postmark. In this case, all materials to be postmarked must be received at or
deposited in the Post Office where the postmark is being used or at the office
designated by the postmaster or designee.
231.62 Preparation Requirements
Postcards and envelopes submitted through the mail must bear postage at
the applicable First-Class Mail first-ounce rate and have complete
231.63 Postal Operations Manual
124 POM Issue 9, July 2002
Updated With Revisions Through January 31, 2021
addresses, except as provided in section 231.4. Materials submitted for
hand-back service need not be addressed.
231.63 Special Materials on Which Postmarks May Be Requested
Photographs, postcards, or other materials having a glossy-coated or
hard-calendered surface, or any material that does not readily accept ink, are
submitted for pictorial postmarks at the customer's risk. The Postal Service
is not responsible for smudged postmarks or offsetting where the impression
appears on the preceding item. The following materials may be canceled as
indicated:
a. Plain Cards, Slips of Paper, and Blank Envelopes. Postal Service
employees may not place postmarks for customers on plain slips of
paper, plain cards, or blank envelopes without unused postage
equaling or exceeding the First-Class Mail first-ounce rate.
b. Picture Postcards (Maximum Cards). Picture postcards with the stamp
placed on the face of the card rather than on the address side are
known as maximum cards. Minimum First-Class Mail postage must be
placed on the address side. Postmasters may cancel these cards and
hand them back to the person presenting them. For mail-back service,
refer to 231.4b.
c. Posters, Portfolios, and Other Memorabilia. These items with the
stamps placed thereon may be canceled when presented in person for
hand-back service. Submittal and return through the mail is not
permitted, except as provided in 231.4b.
d. Previously Canceled Stamps and Multiple Pictorial Postmarks. Items
bearing previously canceled stamps and postmarks are acceptable for
additional postmarks when uncanceled postage equaling or exceeding
the First-Class Mail first-ounce rate is affixed. Any covers submitted for
servicing and return through the mailstream will not be entered into the
mailstream until the date appearing on the postmark.
e. Currency. Currency bearing unused postage stamps of First-Class
value or items bearing currency with stamps affixed or adjacent thereto
may be canceled when presented in person for hand-back service.
Submittal and return through the mail is not permitted. The Postal
Service does not accept responsibility for currency in its possession in
conjunction with philatelic services.
f. Backs of Envelopes. Post Offices may cancel unused stamps when
they are affixed to the reverse side of envelopes bearing already
canceled stamps. This service is available only for envelopes
presented for hand-back service. They may not be returned through
the mail even when outer envelopes are provided. Such a pictorial
postmark denotes only that the item was presented to the Post Office
for postmarking on that date; it does not denote that the envelope was
carried by the Postal Service.
g. Foreign Postage Stamps. Unused foreign postage stamps may be
postmarked with a U.S. Postal Service postmark only when unused
First-Class Mail first-ounce U.S. postage is postmarked with the same
stroke.
Philately 232.3
POM Issue 9, July 2002 125
Updated With Revisions Through January 31, 2021
231.7 Holding the Mail
Postmasters may hold collectors' philatelic items for postmarking on a later
or specified date. Postmasters should not hold mail for an event where the
date of occurrence is not certain; for an event that the date is subject to
change; or for postmarking on a day that the Post Office is closed.
231.8 Machine Postmarks
Post Offices may machine-cancel (using a flyer machine), philatelic items
with a regular postmark when the envelopes are unaddressed or when the
customer requests hand-back service, as provided in section 231.4.
Collectors requesting postmarking of bulk items must provide either a selfaddressed stamped envelope or box for returning the serviced items. For
customers submitting fewer than 50 covers who have not provided a selfaddressed stamped envelope, the postmaster may choose to furnish a
protective cover using a G-10 label. See subchapter 25 for more information
pertaining to Philatelic Cover Servicers and Cachet Makers.
231.9 Hand-Stamped Postmarks
Circular hand-stamped postmarks with or without killer bars may be
provided upon request at Post Offices and/or station or branch offices.
These postmarks are available each day that the office is open for business.
Postmarking requests must be at the Post Office offering the service on the
date of the postmark to qualify for this service.
Posted 01/15/2023 11:10 am
