Attention, postal workers! From USPS: Pictorial Postmarks Handbook PO-230 has been updated with Postal Bulletin articles through June 30, 2011, as follows: 9-2.2 Special Materials on Which Postmarks Are Requested. The materials described in this section may be postmarked as indicated as long as they bear unused postage stamps at the applicable First-Class Mail rate. (...) b. Picture Postcards (Maximum Cards). Picture postcards with the stamp placed on the face of the card rather than on the address side are known as “maximum cards.” Postal personnel may postmark these cards and hand them back to the person presenting them (...)

"9-2.2 Special Materials on Which Postmarks Are

Requested

The materials described in this section may be postmarked as indicated as long as they bear unused postage stamps at the applicable First-Class Mail rate.

a. Plain Cards, Slips of Paper, and Blank Envelopes. Postal Service

personnel may place postmarks for customers on plain slips of paper,

plain cards, or blank envelopes provided that such items bear unused

postage stamps at the applicable First-Class Mail rate.

b. Picture Postcards (Maximum Cards). 


Picture postcards with the stamp placed on the face of the card rather than on the address side are

known as “maximum cards.” 


Postal personnel may postmark these cards and hand them back to the person presenting them at the day of the event."


============
Reality is very complex, and it's difficult, if not impossible, for any set of written rules to address ALL the ramifications of the situations.


For example, the above quote does not address the question of whether it is OK for a customer/stamp collector to cancel/postmark himself/herself the items wanted.
The answer found elsewhere says YES.


"235.26 Use and Disposition of Hand Stamps


Pictorial cancellation hand stamps, like other canceling devices, may be used only under the supervision of authorized postal personnel"
http://nysalc.org/NALC_Contract/USPS/Handbooks_Manuals/POM/pomc2.pdf

Translation: when you go at a post office "counter/window/desk", you can ask to cancel/postmark yourself your items (don't bring too many; or, let other customers be serviced alternatively with you, at the counter).
The postal associate should verify in advance that you have proper postage on all your items, then YOU SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CANCEL/POSTMARK yourself your items, USING THE CANCELLER (HAND STAMPING DEVICE) UNDER THE SUPERVISION of the postal associate - not away from his/her sight, of course.


============
In my experience,  the vast majority of postal associates of USPS have NEVER HEARD of PHILATELIC HAND-BACK ("what? philatelic handbag?") or PHILATELIC MAIL-BACK.


Also, the vast majority of them are under the false impression that "if a mail piece gets cancelled/postmarked, then IT HAS  to enter the mailstream - the customer CANNOT get it right back".


Ignorance is NOT power.


Let's fix that!
After all, it's part of their job duties!


"9-1 Types of Service
9-1.1 Hand-Back Service
Hand-back service for pictorial postmarks takes place when a customer
personally presents an addressed or unaddressed envelope, postcard, or
other item to Postal Service clerk at a temporary philatelic station for
postmark with the current day’s pictorial postmark. All such material must
bear uncanceled postage stamps at the applicable First-Class Mail rate, but
unlike mail-back service, it does not need to be addressed. Postal Service
personnel must postmark the item and hand it back to the customer. The
envelope, card, or other item does not enter the mailstream. Hand-back
service may be provided only on the date of the postmark. (See 9-2.)

9-1.2 Mail-Back Service
Mail-back service for pictorial postmarks permits customers to submit
envelopes and cards through the mail to a designated Post Office for
postmarking with a specific pictorial postmark.
To qualify for this service, mail-in requests must be postmarked no later than
30 days following the requested postmark date (see also 9-3). Envelopes and
cards that are to receive pictorial postmarks must bear unused postage
stamps at the applicable First-Class Mail rate and must have complete
addresses.
Customers should supply self-addressed stamped envelopes to protect the
items receiving the pictorial postmark from being marred during their return
through the mailstream. If customers do not provide self-addressed stamped
envelopes, the postmaster may choose to furnish a Priority Mail envelope or
box using a G-10 label protective cover when returning the items through the
mailstream."
http://about.usps.com/handbooks/po230.pdf

Yesterday, I went to the National Postal Museum, in Washington, D.C.

I eventually got to apply myself the pictorial and non-pictorial cancellations/postmarks that I wanted, but the supervisor told me, basically, that I HAVE TO affix at least 29 cents or 44 cents of postage ON THE ADDRESS SIDE of the postcards, based on size.

And then I can add any stamp I want on THE PICTURE SIDE, and it's OK to postmark that one, too.

She based that ruling on a fresh printout of rules - but I think those rules ARE NOT THE LATEST.

Look at the quotes at the top of this blogpost, and the date.

My understanding, unless it my misunderstanding :) , is that I DON'T HAVE TO affix "unused postage stamps at the applicable First-Class Mail rate" ALL ON THE ADDRESS SIDE!!!

Why shouldn't it be OK to have "unused postage stamps at the applicable First-Class Mail rate" by ADDING UP the stamps from BOTH SIDES of the postcard?

Anyway, I overpaid just to accomplish my goal to create maximum cards with my items.

I think it's WRONG for USPS to demand us to  OVERPAY for a MAXIMUM CARD that WON'T EVEN HAVE TO BE DELIVERED!!!!
This postcard is less than jumbo size 4x6", so I had to affix the postage of 29 cents on the address side, just because that's the Supervisor Ms J. Barnes' interpretation of USPS rules. I respectfully disagree.
I affixed the 44 cents (FOREVER  First-Class Mail rate) stamp on the front, because I wanted to create a maximum card.
Why should I pay 44+29 cents, when a simple postcard of this size requires or even GETS DELIVERED FOR only 29 cents???

Next, I will contact higher-ups in USPS (it wouldn't be the first time I contact by email the Postmaster General - and he answered back the same day, to my total surprise!!!) and get to the bottom of this.

Moreover, I will propose/advocate THE CHANGE of some provisions about the philatelic side of USPS.

I will start with the address below:

"Pictorial Posmarks Transmital Letter

Handbook PO-230 August 2011

Transmittal Letter

A. Explanation. Two of the key strategies in the Postal Service Transformation Plan are to

enhance revenue opportunities by leveraging existing assets and to continue to seek

opportunities to leverage our brand and assets to create new products and services

with minimal investment. The Pictorial Postmarks program contributes to both of these

strategies because these philatelic postmarks enhance the equity of the Postal Service

brand and generate new and continuing revenue. In addition, the Pictorial Postmarks

program offers communities across America a way to commemorate local events.

B. Purpose. This handbook provides general information about and procedures for the

Pictorial Postmark program.

C. Audience. This handbook is for Postal Service personnel, including postmasters and

district managers, who are responsible for pictorial postmarks.

D. Distribution.

1. Printed copies. You may order printed copies from the Material Distribution Center

(MDC) using the Touch Tone Order Entry (TTOE) system. Call 800-273-1509,

Option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE and must wait 48 hours after

registering before you place your first order.

2. Intranet availability. Handbook PO-230 is available on the Postal Service Intranet:

a. Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

b. Under “Essential Links” in the left-hand column, click PolicyNet.

c. Click HBKS.

3. Internet availability. Handbook PO-230 is also available on the Postal Service

Web site at http://about.usps.com/handbooks/po230.pdf and http://

about.usps.com/handbooks/po230/welcome.htm.

E. Comments and Questions. Send a memorandum with comments and questions

regarding the content of this handbook to:

PICTORIAL POSTMARK PROGRAM MANAGER

STAMP FULFILLMENT SERVICES

PO BOX 449992

KANSAS CITY MO 64144-9992

Fax: 816-545-1206

e-mail: PictorialPostmarks@usps.gov"

http://about.usps.com/handbooks/po230.pdf