BS: First Day Covers

Subject: RE: BS: First Day Covers
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 10:58 PM

You are one desperate, lonely, sorry (daughter) D.O.B.

PLEASE, develop other outlets.

With a smidgen of the "web-skills" you display in other threads you can surely search-out an appropriate gathering inwhich to ask this question!

Subject: RE: BS: First Day Covers
From: masato sakurai
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 10:39 PM

FDCs of Folk Musicians Set of 4 American Music Series are HERE.
~Masato

Subject: RE: BS: First Day Covers
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 10:39 PM

Oh, that makes me feel a lot better. Really. Thanks, rich. I don't really want to have this stuff that is "valuable". Most of the covers I looked at were around $5 each for a single. That is a LOT more bearable.

Subject: RE: BS: First Day Covers
From: raredance
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 10:29 PM

Sorcha,

I think what you may have looked at is a price for the entire set. The Bessie Smith stamp was issued as part of a se-tenant block of 8 different stamps, so a set for that issue would be 8 different covers and possible a ninth with a block of 8 stamps on it. Fleetwood (which is full color and about double the price of Artcraft - see unicover.com) sells a set of 8 for $27.

rich r

Subject: RE: BS: First Day Covers
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 10:15 PM

Thanks, rich. That was helpful. I looked, and it's an Artcraft. I find it hard to believe, too. Not sure I do yet.

Subject: RE: BS: First Day Covers
From: raredance
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 09:59 PM

The envelope matters in a big way! Many cachets (the design on the envelope) are mass produced, some monochrome, some two-tone, some full color, some from engravings, some offset printing, some printed on silk, some hand drawn by amateurs. I collected a lot of FDC's back in the 70's. Being interested in insects I got carried away with a USPS butterfly issue and accumulated about 70 different cachets for that one issue. For most commercial cachets there is a little label or trademark somewhere in the design (e.g. Artcraft, Artmaster, Fleetwood et al.). I find it hightly improbable that a modern FDC with a standard rate commemorative stamp would be worth $25 unless it is a handcrafted, extremely limited edition of rather high quality. Back in the 70's most of them cost $1-3 to buy.

rich r

Subject: RE: BS: First Day Covers
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:27 PM

Yes, Ron, the envelope. If the envelope doesn't matter, the site I found says my Bessie FDC is worth about $25. Blew me away!

Subject: RE: BS: First Day Covers
From: Ron Olesko
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 05:22 PM

I assume you are describing the cover, not the stamp?

The actual envelope can have dozens of variations - anyone can have an envelope marked with the First Day of Issue cancellation and the stamp. Some people design their own, others purchase prepared envelopes that were designed by different manufacturers. Artkraft (SP?) is one of the leaders.

Ron

Subject: BS: First Day Covers
From: Sorcha
Date: 25 Jan 02 - 04:29 PM

Well, it's sorta BS......does anybody here know anything about US First Day Covers? (stamps) I have one that is the American Music Blues and Jazz Singers with a Bessie Smith stamp,Sept. 17,1994.

I found a web site that has it listed, but the one I have is not the same as what is listed. The listed one has color images of several people. Mine has black and white images. Any help out there to identify what I have?