posted 11-23-2018 03:47 PM               

Those who cannot attend the event but who wish to obtain the postmark may submit a mail order request. Pictorial postmarks are available only for the dates indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial postmark date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mail postage. Items submitted for postmark may not include postage issued after the date of the requested postmark. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a postmark must affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: Pictorial Postmarks, followed by:

Mission on Mars Station
Postmaster
600 Lincoln Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91109-9998

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for postmark, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial postmark, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

posted 12-15-2018 09:31 AM               

On the morning of Nov. 26, I went to the Pasadena post office on Lincoln Ave., but was turned away, as the clerk said they did not do hand cancels at that office (and had no idea about the pictorial postmark). So the next day, I put the cover I created into the mail, following the USPS instructions, with a note asking for the pictorial postmark.

Instead, as you can see, I received back a date stamp (though I suppose nicely in red, given the connection to Mars).

But I don't understand what I did wrong that I did not get the pictorial postmark. Has anyone received the postmark?

posted 12-15-2018 12:27 PM               

Anyway, my supply of InSight Mars landing covers at JPL/Pasadena with the special postmark on Nov. 26th are due any day now. I also have InSight launch day covers as well here from VAFB if anyone is interested.

posted 12-15-2018 03:03 PM               

At the Pasadena post office, the postmaster wasn't due in for a few more hours (I got there at opening) and I had to leave to go cover the landing.

posted 12-15-2018 03:15 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by NAAmodel#240:
What is wrong with this country when counter personnel decline to postmark hand back service? SAD.

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Unfortunatley this has happened to me more often than not recently.

posted 12-15-2018 06:43 PM               

When my dad visits a new place, he always looks up the local post office and will go to have a couple of covers cancelled to commemorate his visit. He also has a small spiral postcard type book and puts a stamp on the blank side for a cancel. He has done this for many years. Sometimes he gets resistance from the postal clerk but most are accommodating. He usually tells them he is a collector and asks if they would hit their date stamp on a couple of items.

posted 12-15-2018 07:23 PM               

It will be interesting if others receive the pictorial cancel or the date stamp...