HOOD'S LOCAL POST was
begun ten years ago on November 1, 1989, as a strictly philatelic lark, by Peter A. Hood of Forest Hills, New York.
At about the same time, Hood and his Local Post joined LPCS (the Local Post Collectors
Society), a group of more than 100 stamp collectors who share an interest in modern local posts. Many of its members operate
local posts of their own.
What is the rationale behind running a "local post" in this day and age? For the
early local posts of the "classic" period, there were often urgent, needs to be met: government postal operations were primitive,
did not service all areas of the country uniformly, or provided too few places where mail could be picked up The early local
posts often filled a necessary role in the pickup, handling and delivery of mail. However, as the country's mail service became
more sophisticated, postal authorities came to take a more jaundiced view of the local operations, and by the 1860's to 1880's,
most of these local posts were suppressed.
Today, stamp enthusiasts create and operate local posts mostly to gratify their
artistic impulses, decorate their outgoing mail, satisfy a need to create their own stamps, and generally just have fun with
other collectors of similar interests. In a few notable instances-- especially in the case of Rattlesnake Island-- local post
operations actually facilitated the handling of mail.
The use of local post "stamps" on mail is tolerated rather well by the USPS, provided
certain guidelines are followed First, there should not be strong or obvious resemblance's between local post labels and US
postage stamps issued by the government. Second, they should not be affixed to envelopes in the same location, or in the place
of, US stamp issues. Many local post collectors use a "Mailer's postmark" to cancel either their, local post stamp or the
US postage, or both. Such a postmark is used on US postage via a special permit, and the wording "Mailer's postmark permit"
must appear in the cancel. Hood's Local Post does not use these markings; we let the USPS cancel their postage, and we cancel
our own issues our own way.
Below are some examples of HLP issues over the years, and some cancellations
we have used. If you'd like more information, or would like to trade your LP stuff for ours, please write to: Peter A. Hood,
15 Greenway Terrace, Forest Hills, NY 1137-55238.
Article Donated by Ralph Phillips
