FDCs Created By USPS After Actual Date Of Issue

When did the USPS begin creating FDCs up to 120 days after the actual date of issue? (See https://about.usps.com/postal-bulle...info_006.htm ) Thanks,

The USPS is not creating first day covers. It is servicing first day of issue cancellations. This has been standard for many years.

centerstage98m, yes, sorry, I agree. My understanding is that many years ago you had to mail your covers ahead of time and they would be serviced on the actual first day in the actual first day city. Then, later, you could mail them after the first day and they would be serviced accordingly. My question is when did this begin? Thanks,

The FDC experts will be able to provide a more detailed history, or correct what follows! As a preliminary response, I thought it was a bit earlier, but looking back at an accumulation of bulletin board posters (which give the mail-in instructions) there are several of the stamps issued very late in 1975 which have a 15-day grace period. It appears the grace-period varied some depending on whether the issue was definitive, commemorative, or stationery. Some are nearly a month delay at this time also. Over the years the grace-period gradually extended.

John Becker, thanks!, that's just what I was asking about. More, specifically, I have a 4 cent Project Mercury FDC with what appears to be John Glenn's actual signature and I was curious as to when it was actually cancelled.