Attendees reenacted the line outside the Marion Post Office
from 1923 at the Warren G. Harding stamp release.

MARION, OH — The U.S. Postal Service celebrated the 100th year anniversary of first day cover collecting in Marion, Ohio. A first day cover involves affixing a postage stamp to an envelope and canceling it on the very first day the stamp is released. This practice was created by Linn’s Stamp News founder George W. Linn in 1923 at the Warren G. Harding stamp release. Attendees reenacted the scene from 1923 when people formed a line outside the Post Office to purchase the Warren G. Harding stamp.

“Collections of first day covers is a greatly expanding branch of philately,” said Marion Postmaster Keith Etherington. “They provide a record of a historical event with a wide variety of cachets available. There is one to suit every collector’s taste.”

Those who could not attend the event but wish to obtain the postmark cancelation may submit a mail order request. The postmark will be available for the next 30 days. 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: Postmaster, Marion OH, 230 Barks Road, Marion, OH 43302.

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 postmark, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

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