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Presidential Inauguration Invitation

I received this in the mail from the Presidential Inaugural Committee, an invitation to the Inauguration!

InauguralInvitiation.jpgIt’s really just a commemorative invitation for all the public events, but it was still cool to receive nonetheless.  It’s really nice- I may have to stick it into a frame.

UPDATE: 1/12/09

From NYTimes.com: Inside a Gritty Brooklyn Factory, Potomac Fever
A story about the company printing the invitations.

UPDATE: 1/16/09
People are auctioning the Commemorative Inaugural Invitation on Ebay.  This auction specifically states that it’s not a ticket, but it’s still selling for over $100.

UPDATE: 1/19/09
Here’s the official frame for the invitation.  $50 at the Inaugural Store

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36 Comments

  • Reply Alicia January 10, 2009 at 12:08 am

    I received one in the mail today, too! I was so excited and thought that it was pretty cool to receive one. I was surprised. I’m guessing not everyone will get one of these. I’m definitely going to frame mine and will keep it forever! Maybe it’s no big deal, but it is to me and I’m glad to have it in my possession.

  • Reply Matt January 10, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    I received one as well. I would assume they were sent to campaign volunteers and/or donors. I have a friend who also received one but several who donated and/or volunteered but did not receive one. It is a pretty neat way of saying thanks.

  • Reply Matt January 10, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    Apparently 1 million invitations were made and mailed per the story below:
    http://www.mashget.com/2008/12/30/printer-crafts-1-million-inaugural-invitations/?psc=www.techchuck.com

  • Reply MT January 10, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    Matt, thanks for posting the link. I was curious to see how many were sent out.

  • Reply Anonymous January 12, 2009 at 6:40 am

    The website mentioned in the material included with the invitation is http://www.inauguralstore.com. This website is NOT identical to the official inauguration website. Is this just a scam?

  • Reply MT January 12, 2009 at 8:47 am

    I don’t believe the website is a scam, but I have looked and haven’t seen a reason why there are two separate stores.
    http://www.inauguralstore.com/
    http://pic2009.inauguralcollectibles.com/

  • Reply LAB January 12, 2009 at 3:55 pm

    Many people worked tirelessly and contributed generously to this hugely symbolic, uniquely historic presidential candidate. Imagine the joy of receiving what looks to be a highly coveted invitation, only to find that it is a hoax. Would it not have been more meaningful and honest to include a form letter that expresses appreciation, and as a token of that appreciation, state with clarity, that a mock, framable “invitation” is being issued. The manner in which the “invitations” were mailed out, without any explanation that they were not “real” was unduly insensitive. I never expected to have to decipher something of that magnitude coming from the PIC 2009. What if all of us show up, because we have been invited–but have not been issued tickets. Parenthetically, with whose permission were our names and addresses distributed?
    Playing with our emotions is not the way to say “Thank you” to those of us who gave our best efforts. For some of us, this Inauguration means more than any words could express. These tricky “invitations” are incongruent with the candor and decency that are the hallmarks of President Obama.

  • Reply Judy Ferguson January 12, 2009 at 4:11 pm

    I fell to the floor when I opened my evelope only to be picked up by my husband screaming, and crying and asking my husband if this for real? I have the problem with our names not being printed on the invitation or telling us how many guest we can bring. I have Limousines traveling to Washington that morning and I just really feel that this entire event has been poorly organized. Even I did a better job at organizing my trip than who ever is in charge of this committee. Everyone need to call the Virginia State Police in Arlington, Virginia as I did to see if you will be able to cross the bring. You must be in a vehicle 4-hire.

  • Reply GDISLER January 12, 2009 at 8:29 pm

    It seems these are tickets to outside events. i think they are real tickets. not to swearing but outside.
    am I wrong?

  • Reply MT January 12, 2009 at 8:52 pm

    It says on the letter accompanying the invitation:
    “This commemorative invitation invites your presence at any of the public events in what will be the most open and accessible Inauguration in American History”.
    However, most of the big events like the Inaugural Balls and the swearing in ceremony are ticketed events. The parade and things at the mall are public events and aren’t ticketed, so you wouldn’t need this invitation for that.
    Here’s a guide to the events
    http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/Inauguration.htm

  • Reply LAB January 13, 2009 at 8:44 am

    Firstly, this is a wonderful time to be an American. Secondly,I am truly grateful to have received an “invitation” that is of such high quality craftsmanship. To be one of one million Americans who have been so recognized is an honor. These two points are clear and unambiguous.
    There is ambiguity in terms of what exactly the “invitation” signifies. Public events require no “invitation.” The up-close viewing of the Inauguration requires a ticket, which has been stated clearly and repeatedly. What needs to be made clear is whether the “invitation” positions its bearer any better than a person without one. For instance, has there been an area designated for “invitation” bearers and do we need to check in by a certain time before the area is opened to non-“invitation” bearers? The logistics need to be clarified sooner rather than later, and in as many media outlets as possible. It is important to detail the parameters officially and clearly before we arrive in Washington DC.
    Again, we are very blessed to be Americans and to be invited to such a richly historic series of events.

  • Reply GE January 13, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    To be honest, for a moment I was over the moon – but reality did step in when I read the accompanying documents. I did a search and discovered that the Obama inauguration committee did not invent this practice. In fact you can key in Carter or Clinton or even the bushes and you would discover that they, too, gave inaugural invitations.It is very ceremonial. An invitation to nowhere. You can hang it on the wall. Since it is for the first Black President it may have quite a bit of value in the future.

  • Reply Terry January 13, 2009 at 10:35 pm

    I got one in the mail yesterday. I am so excited. I will frame it. It is a part of history that i will cherish.
    I will be wathing from home with pride.

  • Reply Less Farr January 13, 2009 at 11:01 pm

    I received an invite to the Inaugeration in the mail today and was so excited I told a bunch of my friends. I was all ready to arrange my flight. I can now see my name is not on the invitation and it does say commemorative. None the less I agree these tricky “invitations” are incongruent with the candor and decency that are the hallmarks of President Elect Obama. They are more like a Publisher Clearinghouse gimmick. It is a nice keepsake though.

  • Reply MT January 13, 2009 at 11:48 pm

    I’m surprised at how many people thought it was anything more than a commemorative invitation. Perhaps, my expectations were too low, but even though I donated a decent amount of money and canvased for votes, I never expected to be invited to the inauguration. So, when I received the commemorative invitation I thought it was something very nice- a tangible keepsake of what we’ve accomplished as a nation.

  • Reply DCaptain January 14, 2009 at 9:20 am

    I will not worry or put my thoughts on the letter that came with the invitation. The invitation itself dosen’t state commemorative and that’s what I will cherish and frame. It is a great joy to have receive this. Thanks

  • Reply maxinemnse January 14, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    i was truly grateful to receive this invitation, and i am definitely going to frame this honor i did work tirelessly and gave my heart and soul for barack obama. thank you so very much for the invitation . i will frame it and love this fort the rest of my life.
    g-d bless america
    maxine muse

  • Reply acoggs January 14, 2009 at 2:56 pm

    I was so surprised and excited to get this invitation in the mail. My kids were more excited than I was. It has already been framed and they both took a color copy to school for show and tell. This is something that I will cherish forever.

  • Reply Anonymous January 14, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    It’s a souvenir for those who participated (donated) in the campaign. Nice. A bit weird to try to decipher at first. Also rather frivolous. Mixed feelings. I don’t want to frame it since i’m not going – feels like i’d be pretending i was at Woodstock or something. Might have preferred a different thank you gesture, but it seems to be a tradition. They’ve done them for many presidents.

  • Reply yvonne January 14, 2009 at 11:00 pm

    On Jan.12th, I received the invitation letter in the mail as well, and at that particular moment, I felt that I was the luckiest person in the world! 🙂
    I have never, never, never expected that I would receive something as special as this letter is although I did donate a great amount money to Obama campaign between April 30th to Oct.31th, 2008 (donated 12 times from $30 to $200 each time). Also I made some phone calls to people living in the battle ground state, Florida.
    After all, I did enjoy every minute of the debates, speeches, convention coverage, and watching the election result on Nov.04th.
    Yesterday I purchased a very cool picture frame ($50/each + UPS shipping) with Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s signatures displayed on the base from their official website,
    http://pic2009.inauguralcollectibles.com/
    Later I will put the letter in the frame, hang it on the wall, and cherish it for the rest of my life.
    Thanks for sharing your story with the rest of us!

  • Reply George P January 15, 2009 at 1:48 am

    We are 1 in a Million! I will frame my invite and still head to D.C and be part of history.When i get back, I will watch Tivo for about 24 hours then get back to work.Enjoy History!

  • Reply ltouche January 15, 2009 at 2:41 am

    I received the invitation in the mail and I too had shared the great news with my friends and family. But after a few days I started searching on the pic2009 website among others to find out what it really means. Now I understand how important it is to be awarded such commemorative presidential inauguration invitation that I will frame ($50 plus shipping)and keep forever.

  • Reply Phyllis Hall January 15, 2009 at 11:49 am

    I received mine and feel honored.
    I dontated to the campaign.
    Hillcrest Guest House, St. John US Virgin Islands.

  • Reply Mac Texas January 16, 2009 at 10:09 am

    Well, I did volunteer work for Obama….a lot of it! I made several hundred phone calls during the primary,
    did all the paperwork for Obama at the
    caucus, worked the poll on election day. Did the same thing during the general election plus donating supplies and money and working one day a week at the volunteer office. Guess what? I did not get an invitation. All I got was an email ‘thank you’ the day after the election. I was kind of disappointed but feel that the work I did was a great experience and we will have a great President in Obama.

  • Reply LAB January 16, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    We are at the precipice of the moment for which we have waited decades. So let us bask in the glow of what is essential. I have decided to focus on the magnificence of this momentous impending inauguration. What we have worked and prayed for so diligently is now only one scintilla away from being a reality. FOREVER YES WE CAN.

  • Reply Alicia January 16, 2009 at 10:28 pm

    Thanks, Matt for replying. Do you know how we were selected to be the recipients of the invitation? Please advise. I’m just curious. I know that I contributed well to the campaign, but never did I expect to receive such a wonderful item.

  • Reply Anonymous January 16, 2009 at 10:35 pm

    Hi, Yvonne:
    I purchased the same frame last night. Sounds like we’re on the same track. The week before, I purchased many of the items that were on PIC 2009. This is such a remarkable time in our lives and in our country and I want to preserve such a historic event in any way that I can.

  • Reply Alicia January 16, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    Sorry, Yvonne. I neglected to add my name to the above comment that is signed “Anonymous” regarding the picture frame.

  • Reply yvonne January 17, 2009 at 4:28 am

    Hi Alicia, thanks for your two responses. 🙂
    Guess what? for the first time in my life, on Jan.14th, I posted some comment on this website (recommended by my relative) in response to your comment on Jan.10th.
    Although I have told all my relatives in USA and all my friends in Canada and China about the invitation letter that I received on Jan.12th, I just couldn’t help sharing my story to all the die-hard Obama fans like you and the rest of the group on this website. 🙂
    On Nov.28th, 2008 (Black Friday), I purchased 3pcs Sarah Palin action figures ($29.95/each + shipping) from the website, http://www.herobuilders.com/08.htm
    this website also sells the action figures of Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, Joe the Plumber, Hillary Clinton, etc ($29.95/each). 🙂
    On the same day, I also purchsed 1pc Barack Obama “Yes We Can” 4-hour-long DVD (SKU ID#/Item#: 14864; $19.99) and 1pc Barack Obama “Yes We Can” bubble head (SKU ID#/Item#: 14895; $14.99) from the website,
    http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com/
    Now the NBC website above is selling Barack Obama Inauguration 4-hour-long DVD ($19.99). I am going to buy it later. 🙂
    On Jan.13th, I purchased 4pcs Obama cool items from the website,
    http://pic2009.inauguralcollectibles.com/ (the official pic2009 store website).
    Item #1:
    Silvertone Picture Frame
    Product Code: J0901
    Price: $50.00
    Description: Proudly display your Inaugural invitation or any special 8×10″ photo in this 12×14″ silver-tone picture frame. Barack Obama and Joseph Biden signatures printed at base.
    Item#2:
    Election Night Framed Display
    Product Code: J0504
    Price: $40.00
    Description:Barack Obama and family photo taken on Election Night 2008 in Chicago. Included is a quote from victory speech. Matted, framed and shipped ready to hang. 11×13″
    Item #3:
    Panoramic Photo
    Product Code: J0510
    Price: $400.00
    Description:Framed and matted 16×36″ panoramic photo of Barack Obama taking the oath of office on January 20, 2009. Gold embossed signature of the President, Vice President and Inaugural Seal. Pre-order now. Ships February 15.
    Item #4:
    Commemorative CD/DVD Set
    Product Code: J0925
    Price: $30.00
    Description:The Official Music & Video Collection. Commemorative collection CD features new music by Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, Bebe Winans, Maroon 5, and more. DVD features over 3 hours of historic speeches from President Elect Barack Obama.

  • Reply yvonne January 17, 2009 at 5:40 am

    Oh, poor Mac! It broke my heart to hear that, and I felt some kind of quilty to receive one, but not you since you have done so much for Obama campaign as you indicated in your comment. 🙁
    Since only 1 million people out of 300 millions people (around total USA population) received the invitation, so on the bright side, 299 millions people do not receive one.
    So does this make you feel much better? 🙂
    Oaky, one more try – in case that you might be interested, on the Ebay’s website,
    http://shop.ebay.com/items/__Commemorative-Inaugural-Invitation_W0QQ_kwZCommemorativeQQ_kwZInauguralQQ_kwZInvitationQQ_ckwZletter?_trksid=p3286.c0.m104
    they are doing the auction to sell Commemorative Inauguration Invitation now.
    As of Saturday, Jan.17th @4am central time,
    there are 9 bids,
    bidding price is $58.00,
    and there are 16 hours left to bid.

  • Reply MT January 17, 2009 at 10:08 am

    Alicia,
    I think it’s mostly donors that have received the invitations. Once you donated, you’re in the database. My sister worked but didn’t donate and she didn’t get one. I think that the offices were so busy that they sometimes didn’t get the names or the addresses properly into the database.

  • Reply Diane Grant January 18, 2009 at 6:13 pm

    I volunteered and made several donations, but I didn’t get an invitation…how come?? I have a friend that didn’t do ANYTHING, and she received one. I want one!! How can I get one? I want to leave it and other things that I have collected from the Denver Convention that I attended to my grand children and great-grand children….5 grand children and two great-grandchildren…I feel cheated!!!

  • Reply roshell baaree January 18, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    This article is very interesting to me. I was personally invited to the inauguration through the University Presidential Conference by way of the Golden Key International Honour Society as an honorary guest to be honored as an acheived scholar(January 17-21). However; I was unable to meet the cost deadlines. What has lead me to this site is that I desire to commerate my invitation in some memorable way, I would love to obtain such a fine document as a collectible. I have written to the UPIC in hopes of obtaining a personal commerative piece. It has been hard for me to watch the festivities because I feel that I should have been there for this once in a lifetime experience, yet I am still pleased.

  • Reply LAB January 23, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    THE JOURNEY IS THE REWARD; AND WE, THE MULTITUDES, WERE THERE.

  • Reply Beatriz M. Cisneros January 19, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    I am proud to be one of the recipients of our President’s Christmas Cards and now, the commerative inauguaral invitation. My activity as Latino’s for Obama organizer in Arizona was my donation. Being a part of this historical event is a prize in itself. The pride that I feel for President Obama is overwhelming and I feel that I contributed to the history that is taking place. My best wishes to President Obama, Vice President Biden and their families.

  • Reply Donald Garcia February 10, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    Sweet, by the way try http://goo.gl/1aFnD – very inspirational articles , bye for now. Simon Dale is a family man in Wales, the western part of Great Britain. His interest in self-sustainability and an ecological awareness led him to dig out and build his own homeone of the loveliest, warmest, most inviting dwellings you could ever imagine. And it cost him only 3,000, about $4,700 American dollars!

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