It's that time of the year when we say "Thanks," and what better way for philatelists to thank each other than through first day covers? Here's a sampling:

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We were surprised and pleased (and guilt-ridden) to receive a holiday card from David E. Failor, executive director of the U.S. Postal Service's Stamp Services department. .	Inside was a block of four of that year's non-religious Christmas stamps with their first day of issue postmark and a hand-written note. (We should be thanking Dave.)

As editor of Scott Stamp Monthly, Peter Martin would send writers (called "contributors") thank-you FDCs. He continued the practice as editor of First Days.

Volunteers at APS shows receive a number of free thank-you gifts, usually including a showcard such as the one shown here for AmeriStamp Expo 05 in Atlanta.	Americover 2006 chair Cynthia Scott sent the pictured American Clock FDC to the show's volunteers as a thank-you for all the time they put into the show. But the 30 covers produced may be unique: Through a combination of errors (Cynthia's and the postal people's), these cancels are unlikely to appear on many — or probably any — other FDCs for the issue.

Lloyd A. de Vries
©2006 de Vries Philatelic Media