WHAT IS A LOCAL POST?
A modern Local Post is not a governmental affiliated postal entity, but rather
a philatelic novelty. Anyone can establish a Local Post: Simply select a name and a unit of currency, real or fictitious;
design and print the stamps for your entity; obtain a cancel and you’ re ready to roll. Many collectors find local posting
both an enjoyable and rewarding experience . . . a truly creative, affordable, fun alternative.
Local Post stamps, more commonly known as labels or Cinderellas, have no postal
value; genuine postage is required for a letter to be delivered through the governmental postal system. Modern Local Posts
stamps and covers are collected and/or exchanged with other collectors worldwide. It has been estimated that there are well
over 3,000 Local Posts operating around the globe.
No permits of any kind are required to operate a Local Post;, although, certain
restrictions may apply:
1) Local Post stamps may not be affixed on the upper right corner on the address side of an envelope,
but rather on the lower left side or the reverse side of the envelope.
2) Local Post stamps and cancellations should not
resemble their government counterparts
Generally, Local Post Directors, Operators or Postmasters, design, produce and
issue a variety of stamps annually honoring a multitude of subjects and events; some actual other, fictitious. Sophisticated
cancels are also created to complement the local stamps. It’s not uncommon for a Local Post to issue a stamp with the
identical theme and date that coincides with the release of an issue of a Governmental Postal Administrations . . . an interesting
way to create combo First Day Covers; a superb collectible!
During the mid-1800’s, prior to the establishment of governmental postal
systems, functional private Local Posts were established in Europe and in the United States to deliver mail to islands and
remote areas of the country. In 1861, the US Congress, aware of the profitability of private mail deliveries, enacted a law
creating its monopoly on all mail deliveries. Countries around the globe had preceded or followed in the footsteps of the
United States in this new profitable endeavor.
