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✈ MZA: Inverted Jenny Challenge! (USA only) ✈

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✈ MZA: Inverted Jenny Challenge! (USA only) ✈
Group:Mr. ZIP Approved!
Swap Coordinator:ColoradoKate (contact)
Swap categories: Challenges  Letters & Writing  Postage Stamps 
Number of people in swap:6
Location:Regional - USA Only
Type:Type 2: Flat mail
Rating requirement:4.95
Last day to signup/drop:September 20, 2013
Date items must be sent by:October 15, 2013
Number of swap partners:1
Description:

On September 22, the USPS is issuing a special reprint of the famed Inverted Jenny stamp: "This souvenir sheet features a new version of perhaps the most famous error in the history of U.S. stamps: the Inverted Jenny, a 1918 misprint that highlights the ways a single stamp can turn history upside down."

These stamps ain't gonna be cheap. They are $2 stamps, so the sheet of 6 stamps will set you back $12. Since we're slapping $2 on an envelope, we'll make the USPS earn that money!

  • You will send 1 letter using the $2 Inverted Jenny stamp (um, please don't use an original... lol!)
  • The envelope MUST be hand cancelled and declared "non machinable" so they don't spray cancel the stamp. The $2 is enough for you to even send a pretty heavy, lumpy envelope and still get this done!
  • Please consider the spirit of this group when you write your letter. Be articulate, and send something with a little pizzaz! Maybe use a fountain pen or a typewriter, send a postalette or fold-n-mail, make a greeting card or decorate your envelope! Just send something that shows you care.

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  • If you receive a letter from your partner that has a hand cancelled Inverted Jenny on the envelope, you should rate a 5. (If the USPS spray cancels the stamp even though you had it declared and stamped non-machinable, please contact me with a photo so we can work it out. Please also let me know if the stamp arrives damaged - I want everyone to get their stamp!.)
  • Extras are lovely, but not required. It's nice to read profiles, but this is sender's choice.
  • Be sure to include your username and the swap name so you can be rated.
  • Since this is US postage, only US swappers will be able to join this swap. :( If you would like an Inverted Jenny of your own, PM me, and perhaps we can work out a private swap!

Discussion

Zuzu 06/19/2013 #

Fantastic idea!

ColoradoKate 06/21/2013 #

Thanks! I know I'm posting early, but I didn't want to forget. ;)

lou 07/ 1/2013 #

Mr. Zip (a/k/a ZIPPY, MR. ZIPPY, etc.) is 50 years old today, YAY

FiWebster 07/23/2013 #

Thanks so much for this great swap idea!

ColoradoKate 07/31/2013 #

Another thought - My post office is happy to hand cancel an envelope, then hand it right back to me. It is possible that you could have this done, then put the stamp and envelope inside of another envelope!

I will also consider modifying this to be a first-day cover swap as well. That you can send a first-day cover from the USPS instead if you are concerned about your post office's ability to follow simple instructions… LOL ;P

rachelcdoyle 09/ 3/2013 #

Kate, my PO will hand cancel no problem but I can't avoid the spray. Even my non-machinable ones get sprayed. I'd love to join but I'm worried about pissing off my partner! HALP!

manders2280 09/ 9/2013 #

I ordered my stamp sheet.
I love the idea of having the postoffice hand cancel the envelope and then putting the letter into another envelope. I'll ask today if they'll do that - I'm sure my local postoffice will.

rachelcdoyle 09/11/2013 #

@manders2280 - I missed that option. I'm signing up because I'm pretty sure my tiny PO will do that for me.

hkappes 09/11/2013 #

I'm excited - I just got my Postmark Permit and ordered my own hand cancel stamp (although I was warned that newer stamps have a phosphorescent strip that machines detect and even hand cancelled mail may get rerouted and sprayed). I'm giving it a shot anyway!

FiWebster 09/17/2013 #

Well, I assume no one's going to get a bad rating if the stamp accidentally gets sprayed, right? We're all going to try our best to avoid that happening—my post office has assured me that the hand-cancelled stuff doesn't get the spray—but you never know....

FiWebster 09/17/2013 #

I just had an idea: square envelopes are non-machinable, aren't they? I think I'm going to make a big square envelope—like 9" x 9”, so it will accommodate folded 8 1/2" x 11" stationery. Any kind of non-rectangular shape would be non-machinable, so that's one way to go for this swap.

rachelcdoyle 09/18/2013 #

@FiWebster great ideas! I know for a fact that my handcancelled swaps get sprayed. I have had a few complaints.. UGH.

I'm going to do @manders2280 idea and get it handcancelled and pop it in an envelope and send it that way. I'm looking forward to this swap. I preordered my stamps just now!!!

ColoradoKate 09/21/2013 #

Apologies for assigning a day late!!! I had work meetings all day yesterday, so I went straight to bed when I got home, lol! No one said that, at 17 weeks pregnant, I'd be losing sleep already!

Putting it in another envelope is a great idea! You could also order a first day cover that is already precancelled and send that. I wonder if the square envelope idea would work - that's really super clever!!!

And yes - I don't want to see any bad ratings when people try to get their letter sent properly in good-faith. We'll just try again!

ColoradoKate 10/13/2013 #

Due to pregnancy brain, I'm extending this swap by a day - the 14th is Columbus Day, and the post office is closed!!! I sent everyone an email. Sorry!

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