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  50 Years First American in Space postmarks

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Author Topic:   50 Years First American in Space postmarks
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42985
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-06-2011 09:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A special pictorial cancellation will be available through Houston's main general post office (GPO) on Franklin Street for all mailed-in requests to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Mercury-Redstone 3, the first American manned spaceflight by Alan Shepard, on May 5, 1961.

Once available, requests should mailed to the address below with proper postage affixed (44 cents for covers; 28 cents for postcards; or 98 cents First Class International) and it is recommended that stamped return addressed return outer envelopes or packaging is provided by the sender.

First American in Space 50th Anniversary Station
c/o Postmaster
USPS GPO
401 Franklin Street
Houston, Texas 77201-9998

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42985
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-28-2011 01:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Linn's Stamps News reports that the St. Louis Stamp Expo will sponsor a four-color cacheted cover commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first American in space, Alan Shepard.
USPS cancel depicts the Mercury capsule from the historic flight. $3 each or $8 for a set of three (three different dates).

Penny Kols, St. Louis Stamp Expo, Box 8277, St. Louis, MO 63156. No. 10 addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) required.

Ross
Member

Posts: 472
From: Australia
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 06-08-2011 12:08 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ross   Click Here to Email Ross     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
On 5th May the US issued a postmark for the 50th anniversary of Alan Shepard's Mercury 3 flight. While issued from Cape Canaveral it also contains a simulated USS Lake Champlain postmark. The USS Lake Champlain was the Primary Recovery Ship for the mission. A helicopter from the ship recovered Alan Shepard and his capsule, Freedom 7. The ship has since been scrapped.

MB
Member

Posts: 155
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 06-13-2011 05:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MB   Click Here to Email MB     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Is there still time to mail in a request for the special pictorial cancellation from the Franklin Street Post Office in Houston, TX?

RMH
Member

Posts: 577
From: Ohio
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 06-13-2011 06:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RMH   Click Here to Email RMH     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
No, You only have 30 days to submit your covers. I would think some collectors would have some extras available, maybe keep an eye on ebay.

MB
Member

Posts: 155
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio U.S.A.
Registered: Jul 2005

posted 06-13-2011 07:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MB   Click Here to Email MB     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the reply RMH, that's what I was afraid of.

yeknom-ecaps
Member

Posts: 660
From: Northville MI USA
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 06-17-2011 06:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for yeknom-ecaps   Click Here to Email yeknom-ecaps     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Per the latest USPS postal bulletin the cancel was extended to 60 days and the actual cancel used is different that the original posted above - anyone know why it changed?

onesmallstep
Member

Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 06-21-2011 09:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for onesmallstep   Click Here to Email onesmallstep     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Has there also been a 60-day extension for the 5/5/11 'Lake Champlain'/Cape Canaveral postmark cancel shown in a previous post?

eurospace
Member

Posts: 2610
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 06-21-2011 09:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for eurospace   Click Here to Email eurospace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Nothing of the sort was published.

Personally, I would still try. Refer to the non-publication of this particular cancel in the Postal Bulletin. If they don't announce it, how can we respect the deadlines...

yeknom-ecaps
Member

Posts: 660
From: Northville MI USA
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 06-24-2011 06:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for yeknom-ecaps   Click Here to Email yeknom-ecaps     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would agree with Juergen's way of sending a request now.

I sent for this cancel within the 30 day window and haven't received them back yet ... so if they are going to eventually do mine they will probably honor your request.

Ross
Member

Posts: 472
From: Australia
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 06-25-2011 08:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ross   Click Here to Email Ross     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The other alternative is eBay. There have been quite a few being sold for around $4-$5 with quite nice cachets. That's how I got mine.

Ross
Member

Posts: 472
From: Australia
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-15-2011 10:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ross   Click Here to Email Ross     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just received a quite unusual postmark from KSC.

Lollini states that this is the first coloured US FDI postmark. A couple of questions arise. How was it printed? Was it a special order?

Apollo-Soyuz
Member

Posts: 1205
From: Shady Side, Md
Registered: Sep 2004

posted 07-15-2011 10:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apollo-Soyuz   Click Here to Email Apollo-Soyuz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
These are digital postmarks offered by the U.S. Postal Service. If you check the Postal bulletin, you will find information on these postmarks. I believe the cost is 50 cents a cancel.

Cozmosis22
Member

Posts: 968
From: Texas * Earth
Registered: Apr 2011

posted 08-19-2011 04:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Cozmosis22     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Was not terribly impressed with the recent Messenger Mission stamp issued in conjunction with the Mercury Project stamp.

So, took a couple of the issues and came up with this astronaut Shepard commemorative sheet which some think should have been released years ago.

All times are CT (US)

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