Babe Ruth - 1983

Fleetwood

When stamps were first issued, there was little notice and first day postmarks had to be obtained on that day. In 1977 the USPS granted a 15-day grace period to allow collectors to purchase the stamps after the actual day of issue and affix them their own envelopes. This would save the postal service time and money. In 1982 the grace period was extended to 30 days (although this can vary with certain issues). Eventually all first day postmarks would be applied in the USPS Merryfield, Va facility, regardless of the actual city of issuance.

However, Fleetwood made a proposal to the USPS. Since they were a printing firm, why couldn't they be provided the stamps in advance and they would print the postmarks on their envelopes, to say time and money for the USPS. Although this was a great plan and ran without the general public's knowledge, the Babe Ruth first day proved to create a problem. It seems that whoever was responsible for creating the printing plate for the postmark, reduced the size from the official postmark by 85%. This caused collectors to deem this postmark and error and launched an investigation into the practice of who can officially apply the first day postmark...

Fleetwood also produced a set of cards that came with the first day cover..