Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I am debating whether to save intact or soak the stamps. If it was commercial like from a bank or hotel it would be a really nice piece of postal history, but being philatelic there are some nice higher denomination stamps I'd like to add used to my collection.
Thanks for any advice.
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Hi Josh,
No advice, but an opinion: Even though the sender is the country's philatelic bureau, it still is commercial mail in my opinion. However, not all commercial mail is created equal. When it comes to the question if a cover should be kept intact for its franking, here is my ranking how I judge the franking on covers from most to least desirable:
Single stamp franking paying the exact rate -- especially if an unusal rate
Multiple franking of the same stamp paying the exact rate -- especially if an unusal rate
Multiple franking of multiple stamps from the same series paying the exact rate
Colorful franking of multiple stamps from various series (= classic 'philatelic' franking)
Add "stamps used contemporaneously in the period of their issuance" to all of the above categories.
Now, if the cover falls in the last category, a colorful mix of stamps from various series including maybe some older ones not used contemporaneously in the rate period for which they have been issued, I would soak off the stamps if I needed them. There should be more interest (and value) in the used stamps than most collectors will assign to the intact cover.
Well, just an opinion. Also, the ranking is based solely on judging wether to keep a cover intact for its franking. Obviously, there can be other reasons to keep a cover intact, i.e., interesting postmarks or auxilliary markings, the identity of sender or recipient etc. etc.
Arno
(Message edited by rhinelander on October 16, 2010)
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Hello Josh,
It may or may not be postal history, regardless of the marking on the cover. If not, at least you have a postmark and possibly a modern stamp with a interesting subject. If you are into covers, keep the whole piece, if not soak the stamp. I'd keep the whole item if it enhances a story or subject, otherwise, I would keep the corner for the stamp, postmark and/or slogan.
Joel
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I'm with Arno that it's a commercial cover; and his listing of priorities is in line with the bulk of collectors (certainly me). I keep covers intact as a general rule, unless there's a reason NOT to. If that were my cover, I'd keep it intact, knowing someone will want it some day.
David
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Its number three on Arno's list ("Multiple franking of multiple stamps from the same series paying the exact rate ") - pays in Barbados currency $5.40 postage and registration to the USA, franked by three above letter rate stamps in the 2005 Flowering Trees definitive series ($1, $3, and $1.40 one with 2010 year date).
I guess I will keep on cover - I have found medium values of the previous Barbados definitive series in kiloware. Barbados (along with some other British Caribbean countries) is kind of a frustrating country for me - it has a conservative stamp issuing policy and somewhat sizable mail volume as the letter rate stamps are relatively easily found, but they issue stamps in sets for a variety of rates (like UK) and the above letter rates are tough to find (for me so far).
Thanks,
Josh
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Not applicable in this case - as philatelic bureau postmarks are probably the most common for smaller countries - but in all cases covers from small villages/towns or with unusual markings should be kept on cover ( or at least on piece if space is a problem ). Postmark collecting is a growing hobby and people will pay for a town or village to complete their collection of a specific country. The type of stamp content is almost irrelevant in this case.
I collect postmarks in a general way and I weep when I see part postmarks on off-paper stamps which I can't quite identify but look VERY interesting. A common stamp is virtually uncollectable but a nicely postmarked example will be of interest to someone and while will not make you any money can often be exchanged for something you want.
As an example I have a very common Canadian stamp postmarked " Little Long Rapids". Worthless?
An internet search reveals that this was a temporary settlement established while a Hydro Electric Power Station was built ( this is now fully automatic so the settlement no longer exists - there is no postcode for it).
Not worthless ( but not valuable ) -but the postmark while not rare must be relatively uncommon - and someone somewhere will want it ( not available I am keeping it! ). If another turns up it will be offered somewhere for exchange for something equally obscure but interesting.
Your cover is interesting, but for me not as interesting as my postmark - and I have learned a bit about Ontario Hydro-Electric Power Generation, the local area and the local First nations tribes( and even the local railway) as part of my research.
Priceless !!
Malcolm
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Is there any collector interest in modern covers from philatelic agencies? For example: a very recent registered #10 envelope from Barbados, but with "philatelic material" handstamps on the front & philatelic bureau markings on the back, used to mail new issues to a collector (myself).
I am debating whether to save intact or soak the stamps. If it was commercial like from a bank or hotel it would be a really nice piece of postal history, but being philatelic there are some nice higher denomination stamps I'd like to add used to my collection.
Thanks for any advice.
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this post
re: Keeping Covers from Philatelic Agencies intact
Hi Josh,
No advice, but an opinion: Even though the sender is the country's philatelic bureau, it still is commercial mail in my opinion. However, not all commercial mail is created equal. When it comes to the question if a cover should be kept intact for its franking, here is my ranking how I judge the franking on covers from most to least desirable:
Single stamp franking paying the exact rate -- especially if an unusal rate
Multiple franking of the same stamp paying the exact rate -- especially if an unusal rate
Multiple franking of multiple stamps from the same series paying the exact rate
Colorful franking of multiple stamps from various series (= classic 'philatelic' franking)
Add "stamps used contemporaneously in the period of their issuance" to all of the above categories.
Now, if the cover falls in the last category, a colorful mix of stamps from various series including maybe some older ones not used contemporaneously in the rate period for which they have been issued, I would soak off the stamps if I needed them. There should be more interest (and value) in the used stamps than most collectors will assign to the intact cover.
Well, just an opinion. Also, the ranking is based solely on judging wether to keep a cover intact for its franking. Obviously, there can be other reasons to keep a cover intact, i.e., interesting postmarks or auxilliary markings, the identity of sender or recipient etc. etc.
Arno
(Message edited by rhinelander on October 16, 2010)
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08:31:14pm
re: Keeping Covers from Philatelic Agencies intact
Hello Josh,
It may or may not be postal history, regardless of the marking on the cover. If not, at least you have a postmark and possibly a modern stamp with a interesting subject. If you are into covers, keep the whole piece, if not soak the stamp. I'd keep the whole item if it enhances a story or subject, otherwise, I would keep the corner for the stamp, postmark and/or slogan.
Joel
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re: Keeping Covers from Philatelic Agencies intact
I'm with Arno that it's a commercial cover; and his listing of priorities is in line with the bulk of collectors (certainly me). I keep covers intact as a general rule, unless there's a reason NOT to. If that were my cover, I'd keep it intact, knowing someone will want it some day.
David
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re: Keeping Covers from Philatelic Agencies intact
Its number three on Arno's list ("Multiple franking of multiple stamps from the same series paying the exact rate ") - pays in Barbados currency $5.40 postage and registration to the USA, franked by three above letter rate stamps in the 2005 Flowering Trees definitive series ($1, $3, and $1.40 one with 2010 year date).
I guess I will keep on cover - I have found medium values of the previous Barbados definitive series in kiloware. Barbados (along with some other British Caribbean countries) is kind of a frustrating country for me - it has a conservative stamp issuing policy and somewhat sizable mail volume as the letter rate stamps are relatively easily found, but they issue stamps in sets for a variety of rates (like UK) and the above letter rates are tough to find (for me so far).
Thanks,
Josh
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11:53:10am
re: Keeping Covers from Philatelic Agencies intact
Not applicable in this case - as philatelic bureau postmarks are probably the most common for smaller countries - but in all cases covers from small villages/towns or with unusual markings should be kept on cover ( or at least on piece if space is a problem ). Postmark collecting is a growing hobby and people will pay for a town or village to complete their collection of a specific country. The type of stamp content is almost irrelevant in this case.
I collect postmarks in a general way and I weep when I see part postmarks on off-paper stamps which I can't quite identify but look VERY interesting. A common stamp is virtually uncollectable but a nicely postmarked example will be of interest to someone and while will not make you any money can often be exchanged for something you want.
As an example I have a very common Canadian stamp postmarked " Little Long Rapids". Worthless?
An internet search reveals that this was a temporary settlement established while a Hydro Electric Power Station was built ( this is now fully automatic so the settlement no longer exists - there is no postcode for it).
Not worthless ( but not valuable ) -but the postmark while not rare must be relatively uncommon - and someone somewhere will want it ( not available I am keeping it! ). If another turns up it will be offered somewhere for exchange for something equally obscure but interesting.
Your cover is interesting, but for me not as interesting as my postmark - and I have learned a bit about Ontario Hydro-Electric Power Generation, the local area and the local First nations tribes( and even the local railway) as part of my research.
Priceless !!
Malcolm
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