Name/Title
First Day DirectionsEntry/Object ID
2023.2.95 A-CScope and Content
A envelope and its contents from Post Office Department, Washington D. C. to Mr. Ralph L. Hanson, St. Joseph. Missouri, postmarked Nov 21 1931. Inside is a typed letter for "DIRECTIONS FOR FIRST DAY COVERS" and a printed page on "WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL STAMPS AND STAMPED ENVELOPES". Both are written by the Third Assistant Postmaster GeneralContext
A.
DIRECTIONS FOR FIRST DAY COVERS
1. Covers must be legibly addressed. If a block of four stamps is to be attached,
the address should be written well to the left to allow space for the stamps.
2. To ensure clear postmark impressions and to prevent mutilation in canceling machines,
an enclosure, which may be a folded sheet of blank paper, should be placed in each cover and the flap sealed.
3. Air mail envelopes are not valid for first-day covers . . . . .
4. Envelopes previously used and bearing canceled stamps. . . .
5. Covers of a "freak" nature, directly or indirectly in violation of the . . . . .
6. The remittance for the exact amount of stamps required must accompany the covers . . . .
7. Remittance for the stamps required should be sent by postal money order. . . . .
8. Postage stamps and personal checks positively will not be accepted. . . .
9. When coins are inclosed they must not be attached to the order with glue . . .
10. The number of covers sent must not exceed the maximum quantity authorized . . . . .
11. It is not permissible for several individuals to club together and send a . . . . .
12. Collectors should not send requests for the stamping of covers to the . . .
13. Letters accompanying first-day covers should be short and legible. . . .
14. Orders for loose stamps of the new issue must not be included with . . .
15. Collectors should bear in mind that, at best, the first-day post office . . .
F. A. Tilton,
Third Assistant Postmaster General
11/10/31
B.
WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL STAMPS AND STAMPED ENVELOPES
November 4, 1931
The special attention of postmasters and postal employees at direct and central accounting post offices is called to the instructions in the POSTAL BULLETIN of September 29 and beginning on page 17 of the October Guide . . . . .
Postmasters are again notified that these advance shipments of bicentennial stamps and stamped envelopes must be retained intact in the post office until January 2, 1932, on which date, BUT NOT BEFORE, the commemorative stamps and envelopes will be placed on sale to the public.
The first-day sale of the bicentennial stamps and stamped envelopes will be restricted to Washington, D. C., and postmasters at all other post offices are directed to see that their advance shipments . . .
As stated in the original notice, it will not be possible, because of the volume of work involved, for the Washington post office or the philatelic Agency to prepare first-day covers . . . .
The department has been informed that many requests for first-day covers are being received from collectors by the Washington Bicentennial Commission, Washington, D. C., and the chamber of commerce . . . .
It will, therefore, be necessary for collectors desiring bicentennial first-day covers to arrange for the service with some private individual or business concern. . . .
Collectors who are interested may also be advised that the department will not provide a special cachet for use on bicentennial first-day covers mailed at the Washington (D. C.) , post office on January 1, 1932.
F. A. Tilton
Third Assistant Postmaster General
C. The envelope is business size and contains an embossed round green 1¢ stamp and is canceled with 'MAIL EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS'Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
LetterNomenclature Primary Object Term
CorrespondenceNomenclature Primary Object Term
Sheet, InstructionNomenclature Sub-Class
Other DocumentsNomenclature Sub-Class
Instructional DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsDimensions
Dimension Notes
8" x 10½"Dimension Notes
4½" x 7½"
