Black Heritage Postmarks
'height' is a duplicate attribute name. Line 1, position 25.
2008 BLACK HERITAGE POSTMARKS
To get to one of the places below, click on it.
2005 POSTMARKS
2006 POSTMARKS
2007 POSTMARKS
2008 POSTMARKS
2009 POSTMARKS
SENDING FOR PICTORIAL POSTMARKS ON YOUR OWN
ORDERING INFORMATION
LINKS TO OTHER SITES
This web page lists by callender year all the postmarks of the United States that I know of, that are related to Black Heritage. Most of the postmarks listed are pictorial postmarks but it includes other categories such as First Day postmarks and the so-called digital color postmarks which, despite being collected are not really postmarks at all. It is intended to serve two purposes. It is meant to serve as an archive listing and to sell those that that I have available for sale. Each item will be listed and where I have the item for sale there will be a bar under the item and the price under the bar. Where there is no price, I do not have the item for sale. Currently I have listed the United States postmarks for the years 2005 through 2008. If there is interest and as I have the time I intend to add other years. I am an amateur at creating web sites so if you find a goof let me know and I will try to correct it.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Black Heritage Postmarks
10 East Sumner Avenue
Roselle Park NJ 07204
USA
Phone 1-908-241-5091 Allow a few rings.
Email address PaulBrenner@BlackHeritagePostmarks.com
Web address: www.blackheritagepostmarks,com
PICTORIAL POSTMARKS
WHAT THEY ARE: When the postal service is invited to set up a temporary station at an automobile show or at a street fair they prepare a rubber composition handstamp with which to cancel pieces mailed at their booth. These handstamps usually incorporate a little picture of some sort. The postal service also prepares these devices to commemorate some event: the 100th anniversary of the founding of a town or a famous event or person. They are also used to promote the use of new stamps. The commemorative cancellations made by these handstamps are called pictorial postmarks. They are used for a day or two and then discarded.
Currently I have listings for only four years: 2005 POSTMARKS through 2008 POSTMARKS. To view those listings click on the year you would like to see. If there is interest I will try to list additional years.
NOTIFICATION
.
If you would like me to tell you when I have added a year to my listing I will be glad to do so. Just send me your email address and ask me to do so.
OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION
I also publish a newsletter, available by mail, that gives complete information about these postmarks. It contains information on many such postmarks not announced by the US Postal Service itself. It is called: Postmark Advisory. For a free sample copy, just send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: General Image; 10 East Sumner Avenue Roselle Park NJ 07204 USA Don't forget to include a note asking for this free copy. Telling me where you heard about this newsletter would be helpful.
.
BLACK HERITAGE STAMP CLUBS
.
If you know of a Black Heritage stamp club please send me the name of the club and contact information. If you are considering starting your own club please I have a suggestion for you. Write to the: American Philatelic Society 100 Match Factory Place Bellefonte PA 16823-1367. Ask them for a free copy of their pamphlet, "You Can Start a Stamp Club." Don't forget to enclose a self-addressed legal sized envelope (a number 10 envelope) with postage for two ounces - currently $.61. This pamphlet has some ideas that you might find useful.
.
DEALERS IN BLACK HERITAGE ITEMS
.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Please make checks payable to - GENERAL IMAGE, INC.
Make checks payable to - GENERAL IMAGE, INC. All offers are made on an availability basis. Also, all covers are on 6 3/4 envelopes unless otherwise specified. Please pay in US dollars only. If by cash, an amount less than one dollar may be paid in fully gummed denominated US stamps suitable for first class mailing. If by check, please send with a check drawn on a bank from within the United States. Make checks payable to: GENERAL IMAGE, INC. Shipments are made after checks have cleared. Money orders may be used if they are from the postal services of the United States, Canada or Japan but not elsewhere. If for any reason, you are not satisfied with what you get you may return the item for refund. Refunds will be made for all items received in the same condition as when they were shipped if received within two weeks for shipments made to US addresses and within three weeks for shipments made to addresses outside the of the US. Not responsible for loss or damage in transit. Refunds are not made for shipping and payment costs. Insurance is available for shipments to US addresses only, if desired. Please add shipping costs according to the following schedule. Notes: 1. Unless otherwise specified, any date within the indicated range may be used. 2. These are postmarks that are applied manually. They are not printed. As a result part of a letter or two may be missing or there may be other slight faults. If there is something major, I will include it in my description. 3. I have a rather large stock and I rent a storage area for it. This is about two miles away and I am an old fellow without a car. I can only go there about once every two weeks to fill orders. This may result in somewhat delayed shipping. Please make checks payable to: GENERAL IMAGE, INC.
IMPORTANT: When ordering, please use the order number AND add the wording that appears between the number and the asterisk.
| Number of covers | USA | Canada | Mexico | Elsewhere |
| 1-4 | $.44 | $.75 | $.79 | $.98 |
| 5-8 | .61 | 1.00 | 1.34 | 1.76 |
| 9-12 | 1.22 | 1.55 | 2.15 | 2.92 |
| 13-16 | 1.39 | 1.81 | 2.71 | 3.76 |
FOR A QUANTITY LARGER THAN 16 COVERS PLEASE INQUIRE BY EMAIL.
INSURANCE COSTS IF DESIRED TO US ADDRESSES
UP TO $50.00 - $1.75. $50.01 TO $100.00 - $2.25.
January 16
Arlington TX 76019
MLK Station
This pictorial postmark shows the face of Dr King, It reads, "Sharing the Dream 2009, Caring, Connecting and Communicating in the Community, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, 20th Anniversary."
The postmarks on the 16th and 17th are part of a city wide celebration. On the the 16th the United States Postal Service set up a booth at the University of Texas at Arlington and on the 17th the booth was set up at Tarrant County Junior College.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#1. This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a To Form A More Perfect Union stamp, a five-cent make-up stamp and a cachet. It is offered as part of one lot of three Dr. King covers. See the Entry for Louisville KY just below for ordering information.
The design for this postmark is the same as the design for the postmark above except for the date and the zip code.
January 17
Arlington TX 76018
MLK Station
This pictorial postmark shows the face of Dr King, It reads, "Sharing the Dream 2009, Caring, Connecting and Communicating in the Community, Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration, 20th Anniversary."
The design for this postmark is the same as the design for the January 16th postmark above except for the date and the zip code.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#2. This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a To Form A More Perfect Union stamp, a five-cent make-up stamp and a cachet. It is offered as part of one lot of three Dr. King covers. See the Entry for Louisville KY just below for ordering information.
January 19
Louisville KY 40211
Birthday Celebration Station
This pictorial postmark shows a picture of, "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#3. This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a To Form A More Perfect Union stamp, a five-cent make-up stamp and a cachet. It is offered as part of one lot of three Dr. King covers.
Order number for the lot of three Dr. King covers is: 09116-760 King ser of three. * Price $9.00.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
January 20
Washington DC 20066
Presidential Inauguration Station
This pictorial postmark shows a representation of the Great Seal of the United States. This shows a heraldic eagle holding leaves in one talon and arrows in the other. The shield on his chest shows 13 stripes with 13 stars overhead. This postmark is a circle two inches in diameter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#1. This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a flag stamp and a cachet. It is offered as part of one lot of five President Obama covers. See the entry for April 18 for Roanoke Virginia four entries below for ordering information.
January 20
Chicago IL 60699
Inauguration Station
This pictorial postmark shows a small image of the capital dome and seven stars. This is the home town of the new president, Barack Obama.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#2. This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a flag stamp and a cachet. It is offered as part of one lot of five President Obama covers. See the entry for April 18 for Roanoke Virginia three entries below for ordering information.
January 20
Los Angeles CA 90041
Inauguration Station
This pictorial postmark has the logo of "Occidental College - Los Angeles 1887," showing a heraldic lion, a building, a tree and a kerosene lamp. It reads, "Alumnus Barack Obama."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#3. This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a flag stamp and a cachet. It is offered as part of one lot of five President Obama covers. See the entry for April 18 for Roanoke Virginia two entries below for ordering information.
January 20
Honolulu HI 96820
Inauguration Station
This pictorial postmark shows a small image of the capital dome and seven stars. This is the birthplace of the new president, Barack Obama.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#4. This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a flag stamp and a cachet. It is offered as part of one lot of five President Obama covers. See the entry for April 18 for Roanoke Virginia just below for ordering information.
April 18
Roanoke VA 24014
Roapex Station
This pictorial postmark shows a heraldic eagle with arrows in one talon and leafy twigs in the other, 13 stars, "Honoring 1-44 U.S. Presidents, Big Lick Stamp Club." Although President Obama is the 44th president his name is not specifically mentioned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#5. This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a flag stamp and a cachet. It is offered as part of one lot of five President Obama covers.
Order number for the lot of five President Obama covers is: 09120-200 Obama set of five. * Price $15.00.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
January 23
Eatonville FL 32751
Zora! Festival Station
This pictorial postmark shows the face of Zora Neale Hurston. It reads, "20th Anniversary Celebration." Ms Hurston was a folklorist and anthropologist who was best known as an author. She grew up in Eatonville, the first all-Black town to be incorporated in the United States. The picture that the artist used for the design showed Ms Hurston wearing a fur coat. Thus, the lines below the face of Ms Hurston represent a fur coat.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not available.
January 26
Washington DC 20004
District of Columbia Station
This pictorial postmark shows the musician, "Duke Ellington" seated at a piano. This reads, "District of Columbia, Justice for all," and the Latin, "E Pluribus Unum." This for the new quarter coin.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered for sale with a 22 cent Duke Ellington stamp in the upper right corner with this special postmark and the two 10-cent Banking and Commerce stamps in the lower left corner with this special postmark.
Order number 09126-200. * Price $3.50.
February 1-28
Baltimore MD 21233
Heritage Celebration Station
This pictorial postmark shows a small image of an African girl carrying a jug on her head, A large letter, "B" and, "Black History Month." This was used on a write in basis on Feb 1 and on Feb 25 when an enlargement of the Civil Rights stamps and the Abraham Lincoln stamps were presented to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. No zip code appears for either use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is available with either date. Either date has a Charles Chestnutt stamp in the upper right bearing this pictorial postmark (with the appropriate date) and one-cent make-up stamp in the lower left bearing a standard circular date stamp with a date of March 14, 2009. I do not know why this March 14th date was used.
For a date of February 1: Order number 09201-212. * Price $3.50.
For a date of February 25: Order number 09225-212, * Price $4.00.
February 21
Cambridge MA 02139
Charles Hamilton Houston Station
This pictorial postmark shows a picture of Mr. Houston, "Justice, Service, Courage, Institute for Race & Justice, Harvard Law School." Mr. Hamilton appears on one of the new Civil Rights Stamps issued on this date. Mr. Houston was an African American lawyer, 1895-1950, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha - the first intercollegiate fraternity established for African Americans. He was instrumental in dismantling Jim Crow laws and helped train Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a Houston - White Civil Rights Pioneers stamp and a cachet.
Order number 09221-021. * Price $3.50.
This is also available with an additional Houston-White stamp in the lower right corner bearing the standard first day postmark no cachet
Order number 09221 Houston Double Cover. * $5.00.
February 21
New York NY 10199
Civil Rights Pioneers Stamp
The Civil Rights Pioneers Stamps were issued here on this date and this is the standard four bar steel die first day postmark that was used.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There were six stamps in this issue. This is offered as a set of six covers - one for each stamp. Each has a text cachet related to the stamp.
Order number 09221 FDC set of six Civil Rights. * Price $15.00
February 21
Palm Bay FL 32905
Palm Bay Station
This pictorial postmark shows stylized musical notation and reads, "6th Annual Black Heritage Celebration." This is a Black Heritage festival. This year features the Anna Julia Cooper stamp. The keynote speaker is Ms Beecher Whisenant, an educator for 61 years. She won an Ebony award. There is a jazz concert after the presentation and the music in the postmark refers to that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not available.
February 21
Jackson MI 49202
100th Anniversary Station
This pictorial postmark has the logo of the "National Association for the Advancement of Colored People," showing a balance scale and an open book. This reads, "Founded 1909, Celebrate Black History Month." This is for the unveiling of the Civil Rights Pioneers stamps and for their first day of sale. This was a ceremony program by the post office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights Pioneers stamp in the lower right corner with this postmark, another Civil Rights pioneers stamp in the upper right corner bearing the standard first day postmark and a cachet.
Order number 09221-497 FDC. * Price $5.00.
February 24
Saint Louis MO 63103
Civil Rights Pioneers Station
This pictorial postmark reads, "Black History Month."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights Pioneers stamp and a cachet.
Order number 09224-631. * Price $3.50.
February 24
Oklahoma City OK 73105
Keeping the Dream Alive Station
This pictorial postmark shows three books and reads, "Black History Month." This is for the 100th anniversary of this chapter of the NAACP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights stamp.
Order number 09224-731. * Price $3.50.
February 26
Jackson MS 39217
Evers-Hamer Station
This pictorial postmark shows balance scale. Fannie Lou Hamer and Medgar Wilie Evers were African Americans that appeared on the newly issued Civil Rights Stamps. This event occurred at Jackson State University.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Hamer-Evers stamp and a text cachet.
Order number 09226-392. * Price $3.50.
February 27
Providence RI 02904
Civil Rights Station
This pictorial postmark shows a map of the states of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and nearby islands.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights Pioneers stamp and a text cachet.
Order number 09227-029. * Price $3.50.
February 27
New York NY 10199
Black History Month Station
This pictorial postmark shows a West African Adinkra symbol called sankofa. It represents the importance of learning from the past. The wording about this symbol is, "DC37 Black History Committee." This postmark also reads, "Civil Rights Pioneers." DC37 refers to to the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), a large New York City union. It is a member of the AFL-CIO. DC means District Council. This was used on the union's Black History Month Finale Night - an event they have at the end of every Black History Month.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights Pioneers stamp and a text cachet.
Order number 09227-101. * Price $3.50.
February 27
Jamaica NY 11432
Jamaica Central Library Station
This pictorial postmark shows an open book and reads, "Black History Month." This is for the unveiling of the Civil Rights stamps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights Pioneers stamp.
Order number 09227-114. * Price $3.50.
February 27
Catonsville MD 21228
Heritage Celebration Station Send to: Supervisor MOWS 900 E Fayette St Baltimore MD 21233-9715
This pictorial postmark shows a small image of an African girl carrying a jug on her head. A large letter, "B" and, "Black History Month." This was used for a Black History Month Gala at Catonsville campus of the Community College of Baltimore County. Dr. Tonja Ringgold, a campus dean, gave the keynote speech on the impact of the slave trade on American History.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights Pioneers stamp.
Order number 09227-212. * Price $4.00.
February 27
Eugene OR 97401
Civil Rights Station
This pictorial postmark shows a civil rights march. One marcher is carrying the US flag. This was sponsored by the Eugene Chapter of the NAACP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights Pioneers stamp and a text cachet.
Order number 09227-974. * Price $3.50.
March 7
Lexington KY 40511
14th Annual African American Expo Station
This pictorial postmark shows a map of Africa reading, "The Governor's Minority College Awareness Program." Within that is a map of Kentucky reading, "MCAP." Also, "Motivation Culture Achievement Pride."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights Pioneers stamp and a cachet.
Order number 09307-405. * Price $3.50.
April 7
Goose Creek SC 29445
Civil Rights Pioneers Station
This pictorial postmark shows the logo of the, "National Association for the Advancement of Colored People," showing a balance scale and and a book. The postmark also reads, "NAACP founded 1909." For the unveiling of the Civil Rights Pioneers stamps.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Civil Rights Pioneers stamp and a text cachet.
Order number 09407-294. * Price $3.50.
April 9
Chicago IL 60607
Richard Wright Stamp Retail Operations
The Richard Wright stamp was issued here and this is the standard four bar steel die first day postmark that was used. For the famous Black author Richard Nathaniel Wright.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered together with the postmark listed just below, whish see.
April 9
Chicago IL 60607
Richard Wright Stamp Retail Operations
The Richard Wright stamp was issued here and this is the pictorial first day postmark that was used. It shows highly stylized flames and a head within a pentagon and reads, "Literary Arts, Richard Wright, First Day of Issue." For the famous Black author Richard Nathaniel Wright.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This cover is offered for sale thus. At the upper right a Richard Wright stamp bears the standard four bar steel die first day postmark. At the lower right is another Richard Wright stamp. This one bears the pictorial first day postmark. There is also a cachet.Order number 09409 FDC. * $5.00.
April 18
Roanoke VA 24014
Roapex Station
This pictorial postmark shows a heraldic eagle with arrows in one talon and leafy twigs in the other, 13 stars, "Honoring 1-44 U.S. Presidents, Big Lick Stamp Club." Although President Obama is the 44th president his name is not specifically mentioned.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered on cover with a flag stamp and a cachet. It is offered as part of one lot of five President Obama covers. For ordering information, see the January 20th entry for Washington DC above.
April 23
New Orleans LA 70117
Mahalia Jackson Station
This pictorial postmark shows a crown and reads, "Queen of Gospel Music." Ms. Jackson was an African-American gospel singer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered together with the postmark listed just below, whish see.
The design for this postmark is the same as the design for the postmark above except for the date, the zip code and the station name.
April 24-26/IV, 30/IV-3/V
New Orleans LA 70119
Jazz Fest Station
This pictorial postmarks shows a crown ad reads, "Queen of Gospel Music."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered on one cover together with the pictorial postmark listed just above. In one upper corner is Blues Singer stamp. a make-up stamp and one of the postmarks. In the other upper corner is another Blues Singer stamp, a make-up stamp and the other postmark.
Order number 09423-701. * Price $6.00.
June 5
McLean VA 22101
Napex Station
This pictorial postmark shows a silhouette of President Lincoln, a map of Illinois with six stars showing where the famous, "1858 Slavery Debates," took place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with the four-cent Lincoln-Douglas Debates stamp in the upper right corner and a 42 cent Lincoln stamp in the lower right corner. Each bears an
example of this postmark. This is offered with a cachet.
Order number 09605-221. * Price $4.00.
June
June 11
Washington DC 20066
Anna Julia Cooper stamp
The Anna Julia Cooper stamp was issued here and this is the standard four bar steel die first day postmark that was used.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not available.
June 11
Washington DC 20066
Anna Julia Cooper stamp
The Anna Julia Cooper stamp was issued here and this is the pictorial first day postmark that was used. It shows, "Anna Julia Cooper," in cap and gown and reads, "First Day of Issue."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not available.
June 13
Falls Church VA 22046
Tinner Hill Blues Festival Station
This pictorial postmark shows a stylized guitar and reads, "John Jackson Tribute, Catch the Blues in Falls Church." Mr. Jackson was a Black blues musician in the Piedmont style.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not available.
June 13
San Angelo TX 76903
Fort Concho Station
This pictorial postmark shows a pennant reading, "19 - K." Also, "1867-1889, 120th Anniversary." Fort Concho was established 1867 and deactivated 1889. Buffalo Soldiers served here 1869-1885. June 13 is Fort Concho Frontier Day. The flag represents 19th Infantry, Company K. They were the last ones here. [Buffalo Soldier Heritage Day is Feb. 22.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark is offered with a Buffalo Soldiers stamp in the upper right and a make-up stamp in the lower left. Each has an an example of this postmark.
Order number 09613-769. * $3.50.
June 18
Raleigh NC 27610
Anna Julia Cooper Station
This pictorial postmark reads, "Saint Augustine's College."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This pictorial postmark has an Anna Julia Cooper stamp and a cachet.
Order number 09618-276. * Price $3.50.
THIS LISTING EXTENDS ONLY UNTIL JUNE 30, 2009
ORDERING INFORMATION
ORDERING INFORMATION
Please make checks payable to - GENERAL IMAGE, INC.
Make checks payable to - GENERAL IMAGE, INC. All offers are made on an availability basis. Also, all covers are on 6 3/4 envelopes unless otherwise specified. Please pay in US dollars only. If by cash, an amount less than one dollar may be paid in fully gummed denominated US stamps suitable for first class mailing. If by check, please send with a check drawn on a bank from within the United States. Make checks payable to: GENERAL IMAGE, INC. Shipments are made after checks have cleared. Money orders may be used if they are from the postal services of the United States, Canada or Japan but not elsewhere. If for any reason, you are not satisfied with what you get you may return the item for refund. Refunds will be made for all items received in the same condition as when they were shipped if received within two weeks for shipments made to US addresses and within three weeks for shipments made to addresses outside the of the US. Not responsible for loss or damage in transit. Refunds are not made for shipping and payment costs. Insurance is available for shipments to US addresses only, if desired. Please add shipping costs according to the following schedule. Notes: 1. Unless otherwise specified, any date within the indicated range may be used. 2. These are postmarks that are applied manually. They are not printed. As a result part of a letter or two may be missing or there may be other slight faults. If there is something major, I will include it in my description. 3. I have a rather large stock and I rent a storage area for it. This is about two miles away and I am an old fellow without a car. I can only go there about once every two weeks to fill orders. This may result in somewhat delayed shipping. Please make checks payable to: GENERAL IMAGE, INC.
IMPORTANT: When ordering, please use the order number AND add the wording that appears between the number and the asterisk.
| Number of covers | USA | Canada | Mexico | Elsewhere |
| 1-4 | $.44 | $.75 | $.79 | $.98 |
| 5-8 | .61 | 1.00 | 1.34 | 1.76 |
| 9-12 | 1.22 | 1.55 | 2.15 | 2.92 |
| 13-16 | 1.39 | 1.81 | 2.71 | 3.76 |
FOR A QUANTITY LARGER THAN 16 COVERS PLEASE INQUIRE BY EMAIL.
INSURANCE COSTS IF DESIRED TO US ADDRESSES
UP TO $50.00 - $1.75. $50.01 TO $100.00 - $2.25.
YOUR HELP IS REQUESTED
1. When contacting me, please tell me how you heard of my site.
2. If you have a web site please put a link to my site on your site. Thank you
BLACK MUSEUMS AND RELATED INSTITUTIONS
Adinkra Symbols of West Africa
http://www.adinka.org/
Civil Rights Digital Library
http://crdl.usg.edu/
Smithsonian National Postal Museum
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/AfricanAmericans
ALABAMA
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
http://www.bcri.org/
CALIFORNIA
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/AAMLO/
California African American Museum
http://www.caamuseum.org/
Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum
http://www.wsbrec.org/
Oran Z. Pan African Black Facts & Wax Museum
http://www.oransblackmuseum.com/
CONNECTICUT
John E. Rogers African American Cultural Center
http://www.linktothearts.com/orgdetails.php?id=173&list=org&page4/
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Anacostia Community Museum - Smithsonian
http://anacostia.si.edu/
NPS-Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
http://www.nps.gov/frdo/planyourvisit/hours.htm
National Museum of African American History & Culture - Smithsonian
http://www.nmaahc.si.edu/
FLORIDA
Old Dillard Museum
http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/olddillardmuseum.org
ILLINOIS
Bronzeville Children’s Museum
http://www.bronzevillechildrensmuseum.com/
DuSable Mueum of African American History
http://www.dusablemuseum.org/
The Provident Foundation
http://www.providentfoundation.org/
Springfield Illinois African American History Foundation
http://www.spiaahf.org/
KANSAS
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
http://www.nps.gov/brvb
Kansas African American Museum
http://www.thekansasafricanamericanmuseum.org/
KENTUCKY
The Muhammad Ali Center
http://www.alicenter.org/
LOUISIANA
Arna Bontemps African American Museum
http://www.arnabontempsmuseum.com/
Louisiana Association of Museums
http://www.louisianamuseums.org/
Louisiana Museum of African American History
http://www.neworleansonline.com/directory/location.php?locationID=1267
Louisiana State Museum
http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/
River Road African American Museum
http://www.africanamericanmuseum.org/
MARYLAND
African American Heritage Preservation of Maryland
http://www.aapc-md.org/
The Banneker-Douglass Museum
http://www.dhcd.state.md.us/Website/programs/bdm/index.html
Community College of Baltimore County
http://www.ccbcmd.edu/
National Great Blacks in Wax Museum
http://www.greatblacksinwax.org/
James E. Lewis Museum of Art (Morgan State University)
www.murphyfineartscenter.org/
Mabel Jones Moore Museum
http://www.tmabeljonesmooremuseum.com/
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
http://www.africanamericanculture.org/
MASSACHUSETTS
The Institute of Black Invention & Technology, Inc.
http://www.tibit.biz/
Museum of African American History
http://www.maah.org/
MICHIGAN
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
http://www.maah-detroit.org/
Muskegon County Museum of African American History
http://www.museumsusa.org/museums/info231522
MISSISSIPPI
African American Military History Museum
http://www.hattiesburguso.com/
MISSOURI
America Jazz Museum
http://www.americanjazzmuseum.com/
Missouri History Museum
http://www.mohistory.org/
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
http://www.nlbm.com/
NEBRASKA
Love’s Jazz and Art Center
http://www.lovesjazzartcenter.org/
NEW JERSEY
African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey
http://www.aahmsnj.org/
Lest We Forget Black Holocaust Museum of Slavery
http://www.lestweforgetmuseumofslavery.com/
NEW YORK
Jackie Robinson Museum & Education Center
http://www.jackierobinson.org/
Louis Armstrong House & Archives
http://www.satchmo.net/
Studio Museum in Harlem
http://www.studiomuseum.org/
Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region, Inc.
http://www.ugrworkshop.com/
NORTH CAROLINA
Afro-American Cultural Center
http://www.aacc-charlotte.org/
African American Cultural Complex
http://www.studiomuseum.org/
YMI Cultural Center
http://www.ymicc.org/
OHIO
National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center
http://www.ohiohistory.org/textonly/places/afroam/
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
http://www.freedomcenter.org/
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma Historical Society
http://www.okhistory.org/
PENNSYLVANIA
August Wilson Center for African American Culture
http://www.africanaculture.org/
Philadelphia Doll Museum
http://www.philadollmuseum.com/
Sen. John Heinz History Center
http://www.pghhistory.org/
SOUTH CAROLINA
I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium, South Carolina State University
http://www.scsu.edu/researchoutreach/ipstanbachmuseumplanetarium.aspx/
Old Slave Mart Museum
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/charleston/osm.htm
York W. Bailey Museum at Penn Center National Historic Landmark District
http://www.penncenter.com/
TENNESSEE
Chattanooga African American Museum
http://www.caamhistory.com/
National Civil Rights Museum
http://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/
TEXAS
Brazos Valley African American Museum
http://www.bvaam.org/
Calaboose African American History Museum, Inc.
http://www.sanmarcoarts.com/mcal.html
George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/carver/
National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame
http://www.cowboysofcolor.org/
VIRGINIA
Alexandria Black History Museum
http://oha.alexandriava.gov/bhc/
Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia
http://www.blackhistorymuseum.org/
Hampton University Museum & Archives
http://www.hamptonu.edu/museum
Newsome House Museum & Cultural Center
http://www.newsomehouse.org/
CANADA
Ontario Black History Society (in Canada)
http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/
STAMP CLUBS
American Air Mail Society
http://www.americanairmailsociety.org/
American First Day Cover Society
http://www.afdcs.org/
American First Day Cover Society
http://www.rieschapterafdcs.org/
American Ceremon Program Society
http://www.webacps.org/
American Philatelic Society
http://www.stamps.org/
American Topical Association
http://www.americantopicalassn.org/
Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections
http://www.esperstamps.org/
SENDING FOR PICTORIAL POSTMARKS ON YOUR OWN
1. WHAT THEY ARE: When the postal service is invited to set up a temporary station at an automobile show or at a street fair they prepare a rubber composition handstamp with which to apply postmarks to pieces mailed at their booth, These handstamps usually incorporate a little picture of some sort. The postal service also prepares these devices to commemorate some event: the 100th anniversary of the founding of a town or a famous event or some person’s birth. They are also used to promote the use of new stamps or to help advertise a national promotion of some kind (like prompting the awareness of breast cancer.) The commemorative cancellations made by these handstamps are called pictorial postmarks. They are used for a day or two and then destroyed. Actually any such cancel is called a pictorial postmark if it refers to the world outside of mail processing (whether it has a picture or not) and is produced by a handstamp device. The term that I prefer is commemorative cancellation, but that is not a generally accepted term. Cancellations generated by machines that refer to the outside world are called machine cancels by most collectors in the US.
2. GETTING THE INFORMATION: First you must find out where and when the cancellations will be used. The organ of the the United States Postal Service is called the Postal Bulletin and it carries announcements of these postmarks. Also, most stamp newspapers have columns devoted to this. But I believe that the best source is our own Postmark Advisory. Perhaps one fifth of the cancels used by the postal service are not publicized in the Postal Service’s Postal Bulletin And, since the stamp newspapers depend, essentially, on the Postal Bulletin for their information, their coverage is similar. Although we are also dependant on the Postal Bulletin, we also have an outreach program that obtains information about hundreds of cancels in any one year not found in any other source.
3. PREPARING YOUR PIECE: After you know where and when to send in, prepare your piece for cancellation. This should normally be on a 6 1/2" envelope as that is what is preferred by most collectors. (In the printing and envelope trades, this is referred to as a number 6 3/4 envelope,) Many people use postal cards, in fact, in some countries, this is the normal way to collect. Envelopes of other sizes should be avoided (unless you have your own special reason) but whatever you use, make sure that there is current first class postage on each piece you submit. You may NOT use stamps imprinted with some special purpose like Bulk Mail, Carrier Pre-sort, Non-Profit, etc.
There is one thing you must be careful of. You must not use stamps that were issued after the date of the cancel. This is possible because of the 30-day grace period allowed by the USPS. If you use such stamps, the receiving post office will not accept it and will return your piece without canceling it and you will lose the chance to get the cancel. By the way, I would like to add that even if the receiving clerk should honor such a request, such a piece would not be acceptable in a stamp exhibit and most collectors would regard such a piece as defective.
If you can, try to avoid putting more than two stamps on your piece as that presents problems for the canceller. Also, when putting two stamps on: 1. Leave a slight space between them, say 1/16 to 1/8 inch. 2. If the stamps are of different sizes vertically, align them in such a way that the bottoms of the stamps are in one line. This makes it easier to cancel. 3. Do not affix your stamp or stamps in such a way as to be flush with the top edge or the right edge, but allow a slight space, say 1/16 to 1/8 inch. 4. If you want to put a cachet on your piece, make sure that you leave enough room for the cancel! The cancel is often 4" x 2"! (The maximum size permitted under postal regulations.) 5. You must use three envelopes. The first envelope is the envelope that you have prepared to get the desired postmark. The second envelope (the return envelope) is the one the post office will use to return to you the first envelope. It must have your address, it must have the proper postage on it and it must be larger than the first envelope. It may be folded. Also, you may use a third person's address on it if you want this to go to another person. The third envelope (the outer envelope) is the one you will use to submit the other two envelopes.
4. OUTER ADDRESS: Use the address given to you by your source but, for best results, be sure it has a nine digit zip code. If the address provided has a nine digit zip code then use that, if not, add "-9998" to the five digit zip code. For best results: Do NOT put the "station name" on the outside of the envelope. Using the "station name" on the outside sometimes causes your request to get misdelivered. To avoid misdelivery, I try to put as many indications as I can that the piece is going to someone within the postal service. Whenever appropriate I use "Postmaster" as the top line (I don’t use this, of course, if the address is directed to someone in the postal service with a different title.) I usually include the letters, "USPS," as a separate line just under the line for "Postmaster" ( I don’t use this if the address includes something like, "Philadelphia Main Post Office" as that would then be terribly redundant.) Many smaller post offices do not have a street address. For those places I use, P O Box 9998" in stead of a street address. Also, of course, I try to use the zip code four-digit add-on, which is usually "-9998"
5. IN THE MAIL STREAM: If you want your piece to be placed in the mail stream, you must put an address on your piece. If you want this to be returned to you, put your own address on it. If you wish it to be sent to a third party, then put that person’s name and address on it. If the piece is going to someone outside the United States make sure that you have enough postage on it to reach that country. Envelopes placed in the mail stream (that is, not under cover) should contain a letter or a filler of postcard thickness (otherwise it will be flimsy and get mistreated.)
6. UNDER COVER: If you want your piece to be returned under cover, then you must add a self-addressed envelope. For this purpose, you may use a number 9 envelope or a number 10 envelope folded in thirds.
The advantages to having your piece returned under cover are that: 1. It will not be overcancelled, as often happens otherwise. 2. It is less likely to get damaged in the mail stream. The disadvantage is that it costs more. 3. It need not be addressed. Being unaddressed is considered an advantage by many collectors in the US but not in some other countries.
7. MONEY SAVING SUGGESTIONS FOR THOSE LIVING INSIDE THE UNITED STATES: If you are willing to take a chance on overcancelling there is a bargain basement way of obtaining a cancel. Use a reply postal card.
Another idea. Along with your request, send an envelope sized plastic sleeve or glassine envelope instead of a return envelope. (This use must bear a 17-cent stamp.) Request that the piece getting the special cancel be placed within the sleeve with the open end folded to the back and sealed with scotch tape. Of course, your piece must then be addressed. (If you want unaddressed covers, then this will not help you.) This saves the cost of the return postage for the return envelope. This will not help those who reside outside the US because postal regulations prohibit this type of mailing piece in international mails.
8. YOUR COVER LETTER: It is advisable to include a cover letter telling the clerk exactly what you want giving the "station name" (or other cancellation identifier), the date of the cancel, the city, the state and the zip code AS THEY APPEAR IN THE CANCEL! (Sometimes the place name used in the address used to write in for the cancel is not the same as that used in the cancel itself!) If you are a US resident, it is a good idea to include your phone number. If you have an Email address, include that also. If you send away for many cancels it may be helpful to prepare a form letter and then have copies made.
9. MULTIPLES: You may send for more than one at any one time but if you want more than 50, then you are supposed to get permission in advance. To do this, request your permission from: Manager - stamp fulfillment center; 8300 NE Underground Dr; Pillar 210; Kansas City MO 64144-9998. You will be billed later for five cents per cancel. If you do not have time to get advance authorization, send payment along with your request. If you want 80 send $1.50 (80 that you want less 50 that are free = 30 for which you must pay. 30 times 5 cents each = $1.50.) If you send a check, make the check payable to the local postmaster, for example: Postmaster: Washington DC. If you send a check it must be drawn on a bank from WITHIN the US. Except for Canada or Japan, do NOT send postal money orders. You may NOT send postage stamps for this purpose.
10. WHEN TO MAIL YOUR REQUEST: Before the date (s) of use. Do not send for a cancel more than 7-10 days before the first day of use. (If you send in too early, you request may be misplaced or forgotten.) After the date (s) of use. According to postal regulations, you may obtain the desired cancel if your request is POSTMARKED up to 30 days after the date of use of that cancel. Please keep in mind these two things: It is not a good idea to wait until the last minute (this is particularly true for non-US residents) and if you do mail on the deadline (or even one or two days before) it is a good idea to take this particular piece to the post office and have the clerk apply a clear current date-stamp to the outer envelope.
11. RETURNS: If your piece comes back and it is not satisfactory for some reason (it was overcancelled or the cancel came out badly) you may return it to the issuing post office for replacement. But if you do this, then you should do so RIGHT AWAY! The cancel is kept for only a limited period. If you did everything right and your request is not honored for some reason, you can either A. write again (immediately) or B. write to the Manager of Customer Service Support in the district in which the offending post office is located. Should the unfilled request be accompanied by a letter of explanation, save that letter. It sometimes happens that the postmaster is later willing to rectify his error but wishes some proof that you originally had sent in. Should a second letter to the postmaster not produce results within two weeks, write immediately to the Manager of Customer Service Support.
12. HOW TO SAVE THE POSTMARKS: When saving these cancellations, save them on the entire envelope or postcard. Do NOT cut off the corner for saving. Cutting off the corner is fairly common among those who collect standard cancellations (or postmarks) but it is not usually done among those who collect pictorial postmarks. .
13. CACHETS: A cachet is a picture and/or wording printed on the left side of an envelope. It may be printed or applied by some other process. Normally, this cachet has some connection to the stamp (in the case of First Day Covers) or with the pictorial cancellation) in the case of pictorial postmarks. There is a little ambiguity here. Although a "cachet" is just the printed envelope without any stamp or cancel, in the case of pictorial postmarks, when cachets are offered up for sale, they are usually the complete cover - including cachet, stamp and cancel. You should be able to distinguish between these two usages by context. If you plan on ordering many cachets, try to get your name and address prepared on preprinted gummed address labels so you may send them to those places requesting them. This is an important courtesy and it prevents misaddressing. Some collectors prefer to collect their pictorial postmarks on these cacheted envelopes prepared by the sponsoring organization even though it may cost a dollar of two for each. Unfortunately, the information needed to order these is difficult to obtain.
14. GENERAL INFORMATION: If you don’t get your request back within two weeks, write again. This quick follow-up is needed because many places destroy the device rather quickly. If this doesn’t help, try a USPS consumer service card - available in every post office lobby. The next paragraph is for non-US residents. Others please skip to the paragraph below it.
If you are a non-US resident, then I suggest that you forward a complaint about the US postal service through the postal service of your own country, Most postal services have some such mechanism. Ask your own post office for details. It is my own guess is that this would work better than the US consumer cards which do not work very well anyway. Much depends, of course, on how vigorously your own post office pursues this matter. It is more difficult for the United States Postal Service to ignore a government than an individual.
If this doesn’t help, try the manager of customer service support of the district in which cancel post office is located. If you are 100% in the right but you are told that the device was destroyed, ask that it be remade, after all, it wasn’t your fault. (Although you should NOT say so to your contact, I have found that this statement - about the destruction of a device - is often either an incorrect assumption or an outright lie designed to avoid having to do work in this area.) If you will be very active in this collecting area, I suggest the purchase of the zip code directory. Your post office will either have it for sale or be able to tell you how to obtain it. I find it very helpful. One "problem" that often occurs is that the clerk does not hit the stamp with the cancel. Collectors who request many cancels might take this statement, "Part of your cancel MUST COVER part of the stamp!" and either incorporate it into their form letter.
15. USING TOPICAL STAMPS RELATED TO THE CANCEL: Keep track of recent or forthcoming new issues keeping in mind the possibility of using a stamp related to the cancel that you wish to obtain. Keep track of the the dates though because if you send for a cancel with a stamp issued after the date of use of your cancel, that request will not be honored. (Despite the topical connection, the use of such a stamp destroys the integrity of the resultant cover and most collectors really would not want it.)
Sometimes, the date on which a new stamp was issued is the same as the date of use of a cancel that you wish to obtain. When this happens you must exercise some care. If the stamp is first released everywhere on the same date then there is no problem. But suppose the city using the cancel is different from the first day of issue city (or different from one of the first day of sale cities.) When that happens some postmasters will reject the request (as they are supposed to do) and some will honor the request. To be on the safe side, you might send in two requests, one with the desired stamp, and one with a "safe" stamp.
Explanatory note: For a couple of years now the USPS has been releasing new stamps for sale in more than one city. One city is designated as the First-Day-Of-Issue City and the others are designated as First-Day-Of-Sale Cities. In first day of issue cities the stamps are available as soon as the post office in that city is open (sometimes at midnight!) and there are usually some ceremonies to honor the event. In first day of sale cities, the stamp is usually released later in the day and there are no ceremonies. For my part, I regard such mental gymnastics as silly and insulting.
An interesting idea is to use a topically related stamp and add a stamp of smaller value to bring the amount up to the current rate. You can do this for envelopes but for postcards you would have to obtain your own blank cards just for this purpose (or use a picture post card.)
16: CUSTOMIZED POSTAGE: A regulation prohibits using customized postage stamps to get pictorial postmarks. Here is the reasoning: "Customized Postage is technically a postage paid meter strip with a picture in it. A first class stamp must accompany customized postage to get a pictorial postmark and must be cancelled in the same strike. Finally the USPS Law Dept backs this policy" It is my guess that most postmasters do not know of this regulation so that it is rarely enforced. If a customized stamp is getting a pictorial postmark, why does it need tagging? I cannot see what harm is rectified by this regulation or what benefit can possibly arise from it. I think it is silly.
