Presidential Inauguration Day Postmark

Jay Bigalke, Linn's online editor and Postmark Pursuit columnist, writes in the January edition of Linn's Stamp News Newsletter,"Inauguration Day postmarks are avidly sought by many collectors. Now is the time to start preparing your own covers to obtain the Jan. 20, 2009, Washington, D.C., postmark commemorating the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States."

Shown above, the Inauguration Day postmark features the eagle image from the presidential seal.

To obtain the postmark, follow these simple instructions:

1. Affix a 42¢ stamp (or a combination of stamps adding up to 42¢ or more) to any plain or decorated envelope. Most collectors use a No. 6¾ size envelope for souvenir covers.

2. Prepare a larger stamped, self-addressed reply envelope to have the cover or covers returned to you. Make sure you have enough postage on your return envelope to carry back the covers you send for postmarking.

3. Mail the envelopes from Step one and Step two together inside one larger envelope to this address:

INAUGURATION DAY STATION
POSTMASTER
SPECIAL CANCELLATIONS
PO BOX 92282
WASHINGTON DC 20090-2282

Your request must be postmarked no later than Feb. 19.

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