1885 1 Cent Cover

Im not sure what this type of stamp is called ??

any info is appreciated .



thanks

Metalman

In the United States, embossed stamped envelopes were first issued in 1853. They offer an interesting challenge to the collector since so many varieties exist. They vary in size, the paper is often watermarked on old varieties and always watermarked on new U.S. envelopes, different colors of paper appear in the same issue, and modern envelopes are found in "window and windowless styles." The manner in which the flap is cut (defined by "knife size") can vary, as well as the gumming of the flap. Several different dies with minor variations have been used for the same envelope issue. This number of varieties runs into the thousands.

This is a so-called "stamped envelope." It is Scott #U115a dark blue 1c Franklin, on what looks like cream paper, issued 1874-1886. It is called an "entire", which means you have the stamp on the entire envelope, as opposed to a "cut square" which is the cutoff corner of the envelope containing the stamp. Entires are worth more than cut squares, and your #U115a entire in used condition catalogs at $20.00. The address looks like it is to Leicester National Quarry, Leicester, Massachusetts. Leicester is a small town in central Massachusetts which was an important manufacturing site in 1885. At the time Leicester's mills produced one-third of American hand and machine cards, which were tools for straightening fibers before spinning thread and weaving cloth.

Thanks Guys ! Half of this stamp is visable inside the envelope ,, like the color leached through when it was printed ,,is that usual or un usual ?

Metalman

1885 Cover---Wow!