How to Get the Special First Day of Issue Cover of US Stamps

A first day cover is a stamped envelope, postal card or other postal material that was processed at the post office where the stamp was issued, and has a cancellation indicating the same. The cancellation will often be specially designed for the occasion and frequently will say "First Day of Issue" or something similar. Depending on the postal authority there may be a ceremony to commemorate the first day of issue. The cancellation on the first day cover is often specially designed for the occasion can be quite artistic, and depending on the situation might be hand stamped instead of the normal machine cancellations.

Collecting First Day Covers is a popular aspect of stamp collecting and has a well developed body of information and resources. One of the most well-known component of First Day Cover collecting are cachets. Cachets are the artwork that is added to the envelope, complementing the stamp subject. In addition to numerous commercial artists and firms that produce cachets, individual collectors will often design their own artwork. Certain cachets are sought after and cachets in general will enhance the value and the collectability of the first day cover. In addition to the cover itself collectors will often look for copies of the ceremony program which will often have the cover or a cancelled stamp in it.

Here's how to get United States Postal Service First Day Covers - It's easy and inexpensive!

1. Find a listing of new stamp issues. A calendar of issues can be found in stamp collecting magazines or at the USPS website. This will tell you what stamps are available and where they are being issued from.
2. Get the Zip Code for the city. There are a number of sources for zip codes including the United States Postal Service.
3. Obtain the stamps from the USPS, either from your local post office or from the USPS website.
4. Place the stamps on the envelope in the upper right corner and put a piece of paper or card into the envelope. Address the envelope to yourself (as well as the return address).
5. Send the envelope (you can send another one as a backup) in another envelope to the Postmaster:
   
   (NAME OF ISSUE)
   POSTMASTER
   (CITY STATE ZIP)