Every so often, I get a lovely letter, note or newsletter from Bill & Kathy at the Olathe Poste. Their correspondence is instantly recognizable because the Olathe Poste uses a Mailer's Permit Postmark to be allowed to cancel their own mail. They design special cancellations for holidays, birthdays, and other commemorative occasions. Bill encourages all mail-fun loving people to send covers (that's "envelopes" for those of you who don't speak Stamp Collector) to him to collect these unique and fun marks.
He asks that you include a note with which postmarks you want, and he'll even try to accomodate specific date requests. If you design or add mail art to your covers, make sure to leave an empty space of at least three and a half inches to the left of the postage stamp. You should also affix your stamps about a quarter inch from the top and right edge of your envelope. This will allow for the best cancellation for your collection. That's it. Just pack up your covers inside another envelope (or box) with your note (and nice thank you to Bill & Kathy) and ship it to them with ample time for them to remail your items. Fun, right? Plus, they have a brand new design ready for Halloween that will only be cancelled on the 31st of October.
Other special cancellation dates for the holiday season are:
November 12 - November 21 Thanksgiving, Pilgrim couple and Turkey CDS
November 26 - December 31 Happy Holiday's Dove of Peace
December 01 - December 31 Christmas season postmarks
December 17 - December 24 Santa & Reindeer
You can see examples of the Olathe Poste's cancellations on their website, which is also my source for blank stamp paper and rubber stamps and other mail goodies. There's even a coupon code good through the end of the month. For 10% off of any rubber stamp, pre-inked stamp, self-inking stamp or greeting cards, enter the code: MAIL4PHUN7DC at checkout. I'm off to shop and send a thank you and Halloween postmark request.
Send more mail,
P.S. The mailing address for the Olathe Poste is P.O. Box 707, Olathe, CO, 81425, USA
P.P.S. International mailers can play too; you'll just have to enclose the appropriate amount of International Response Coupons with your cover requests.
Wow they might get more than they bargained for with the mail deluge from LWA! I can't wait to start my packages tonight for the Halloween postmark!
Posted by: Cynthia | October 19, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Oh, wow! I love the things I learn about thanks to LWA. This is so neat! Big thanks, as always.
Posted by: Annie | October 19, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Oh, wow! I love the things I learn about thanks to LWA. This is so neat! Big thanks, as always.
Posted by: Annie | October 19, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Does it cost to do the mail cancelation? or will he stamp your letters for free?
Posted by: Jessica Winne | October 27, 2012 at 12:29 PM
You have to put the stamps on and then send them to him in another envelope. He will cancel those stamps which is a service he offers for free.
Posted by: Donovan | October 28, 2012 at 07:16 PM