Gbstamps

18 Feb 2011
03:12:09pm

Thought this might be of interest to some members.

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Gbstamps

19 Feb 2011
09:06:45am

re: Steamboat Cover -- Cairo, Illinois

Hi Mike

Cover belongs to a friend of mine who has asked me to list it on 'Greedbay' for him. Hope to list it soon.

Tom

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Sponthetrona2

Keep Postal systems alive, buy stamps and mail often
19 Feb 2011
11:23:44am

re: Steamboat Cover -- Cairo, Illinois

Although I have no particular interest in this steamboat cover I do collect railroad RPO covers. I am a very large model RR fan and train chaser so trains are as much, if not more, a passion for me than postage stamps. So yes, collecting a cover with something that interests you can be as much fun as finding a stamp you've been missing for years. Perry

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Rhinelander

Support the Hobby -- Join the American Philatelic Society
19 Feb 2011
02:47:19pm

re: Steamboat Cover -- Cairo, Illinois

Tom,

I certainly did not mean to offend you -- or anybody -- with my question. See, we all have seen many postings here of entirely worthless, damaged stamps someone thought might present a treasure just because the stamp was old (old being defined as "before the war"). Same is true for covers. Condition is very important and not every cover has collectors' interest (and thus monetary value). I see a torn in half postal stationary envelope, which is worthless. Add $1 for a potentially interesting auxilliary marking, and here you have my valuation.

However, I also understand that one man's junk may be another man's treasure. Especially in collecting covers. So, I was wondering, why would this cover potentially present someone else's treasure? I know nothing about steam boat covers. Are steam boat covers really that rare, maybe $200 value covers (?), which properly discounted for abysmal condition could yield $20 cash net (?). Or what about the 2c postage due? Is there something way cool about it that I am missing? I am not being ironic. I simply don't know ...

Arno

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re: Steamboat Cover -- Cairo, Illinois

Arno:
The steamboat cover in discussion might not have a lot of value in financial terms which true of most of what is in our collections. An obvious example is first day covers which are still widely collected and very popular but which sell very poorly.

The steamboat cover, to me, has lots of appeal, especially with the postage due markings. I imagine what a story it would tell if only it could talk. In a way, it can, since it went by steamboat (not commonly seen today) but was short paid for some reason which causes collectors like me to like it even more.

No, it has little commercial value, granted. But try and find another like it.

Choose your worlds more carefully.

MIke Cherrington

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Doe

22 Feb 2011
12:26:29pm

re: Steamboat Cover -- Cairo, Illinois

Professor O. Beatty of Danville, KY:



http://www.centre.edu/web/library/ency/b/beatty.html

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amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
23 Feb 2011
03:10:09pm

re: Steamboat Cover -- Cairo, Illinois

it looks like June 1865, so a couple months after the war's end. Cairo was the terminus for the river and the starting point for all supplies for the occupation troops along the river. the river and its forts were captured early in the war by Gen Grant and Sherman, primarily. both were innovative and aggressive soldiers who understood tactics AND strategy and used one to accomplish the other. The two are among the country's most underrated generals.

I don't know Steamboat rates, but i'm guessing there's a 2c surcharge based on the due marking?

Count me among this cover's admirers.

David

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