Does Anyone Have A Mailer's Postmark Permit?

PoStat4evR- That's an interesting cancel. It is a blend of old - no zip code in the CDS - and new - zip code still included. It also looks like the stamp was created based upon a hand drawing. I am not sure whether or not the cross was ever "approved" as a replacement for killer bars, but it's neat. I do the same with mine. I'll be mailing out some unique, off the book postmarks this Christmas. Thanks for sharing!

Note the ZIP Code in that previous Soquel, CA MPP is 95073 and is printed below the Permit Number (printed sideways) on the handstamp.

One of my 4 MPPs, from 4 localities in Virginia:

Is this similar to MPP?
http://www.razyboard.com/system/mor...32655-0.html

It looks like this topic is a bit old but it still shows up at the top of Google when searching for mailer's postmarks.

In answer to the original poster, I have a few.

Modesto, CA 95351 (since 1977)
Houston, TX 77001 (since 1993)
Jacinto City, TX 77029 (since 1993)
Galena Park, TX 77015 (since 1993)
Coldspring, TX 77331 (since 2005)
College Station, TX 77840 (since 2008)
College Station, TX 77845 (since 2017)
Wellborn, TX 77881 (since 2017)
Millican, TX 77866 (since 2017)

In each situation I just went directly to the postmaster and asked them to sign a form 3615. The most recent one I obtained was this morning for College Station Texas 77845.

I used to be a member of the board of directors of the Mailer's Postmark Permit Club, APS #100 established in the '70's, where we would teach people how to get their own permits. Now with the Internets it's pretty easy for people to just learn online. Like here. All you need is the postmasters signature.

As far as designs are concerned, I never really went outside the standard basic one but a few times like when I put the Texas A&M University logo for 77840 and used Maroon ink for a short period of time. And then another time I put a rocket in the postmark to use for mail that we actually launched in a rocket at Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake Texas. That was a one time event and the postmaster upon being presented with an honorary cover stated that he had never seen mail postmarked and launched in Houston.

One thing to consider if you get creative is that the very same postmaster that signed your permit can also end it when he or she wants. There is a check box for that now on the form 3615, which was added some time after 2000. I believe your best bet if you want to get creative is to show the postmaster that has granted you the privilege and as long as they are in the loop you should be fine, as all discretion falls on whom signed your form.

Postmarking your own mail at home is really fun. I've personally postmark perhaps over 100,000 letters and packages as I used my mark on commercial packages for a business I owned for many years. You may get a look of surprise the first few times you hand mail to the clerk that is already postmarked, but once they know you are just considered "that crazy guy that postmarks his own mail", LOL!

Greg Deeter

I just filled out the forms and am planning to take them post office on Monday. Wish me luck.

Any suggestions for vendors for self-inking mechanical daters or traditional rubber stamps?

If you like on-demand pictorial postmarks, etc., contact my good friend Bill Porter to discuss the collectors' needs, and to ascertain lead times or other requirements.

http://www.theolatheposte.com/colle...g/postmarks/
Download the PDF docs to see his available pictorial postmarks.
See also http://www.wcp-nm.com/

If you want a regular MPP canceller, you can still contact Bill Porter or Joe LoPreiato.
Bill Porter has provided all my 4 MPPs, for 4 ZIP codes.
http://www.wcp-nm.com/osc/catalog/i...th=25_33_111

I tried going through the process to get one several years ago but encountered such resistance and recalcitrance from the d-bag overseeing the process out of the St. Louis regional administration (everything was fine at my local PO, but they said they couldn't approve one; it had to go up the chain for approval) that I just gave up on getting a permit.

Despite my including all the relevant justification as recommended by the postal permit society, this guy (1) wouldn't approve the parmit stamp I had made, and (2) insisted there was a $250 (or some such; I've forgotten) fee for obtaining the permit.

Forget it. Not worth the hassle.

@ revenuecollector

Bummer dude. I am hopeful, but given that I am in the Land of Enchantment (which is filled with epsilon-minus semi-morons) it won't surprise me if I get mpp-blocked by a delta-bravo.

As I mentioned though, the problem is NOT with the local post office or postmaster. The problem lies with the regional approval out of St. Louis.

Yes, the St.Louis regional guy can be enlightened by the executives, just like the local postmaster from most of the cases similar to yours.

Yeah well, it's been long enough now that I don't recall the precise details or wording enough to file a formal complaint, and I'm really not motivated to go through the denial process yet again just to file a complaint that *might* bear fruit.

I was originally excited about the prospect of getting an MPP, but now I'm over it. The allure is gone after dealing with the bureaucracy in action.

Meh.

Sure, you do what you want about that.

I am excited every time I use my own MPPs EXACTLY how I want on my maxicards and covers, without having to deal with bureaucracy or ignorance from any postal associate.
I am my own postmaster.
I can even postmark personalized stamps, such as from Zazzle.
====

No love at my local post office. They told me that I needed to go to the main post office. It's not nearby, so am going to run by on Friday when I am downtown running other errands.

When to the downtown post office today -- score! Everyone I dealt with was polite and professional. The woman who processed my application had never done one before, but was excited to do mine. I have my permit number; now to get a MPP stamp.