Values Of First Day Of Issue Covers

Is there a catalog that details the value of First Day of Issue covers? Someone at work is selling their old collection and they want $50 for it. They are claiming one of their First Day of Issue covers is worth $25.

The prices for FDC's are listed in the Michel catalog.

Values are listed in several sources, including the Scott Specialized Catalog of US Stamps. Most modern covers must be unaddressed and cacheted with an engraving, picture or print of the subject matter pertaining to the stamp. Even with those conditions, most have a catalog value of about $1 to $2 each; the value on the secondary market is typically only a fraction of that amount, often only 25c to 50c for the most common ones.

Earlier first day covers that were normally addressed, and uncacheted first day covers (mostly before 1936) are much scarcer and command some high prices, depending on the issue and the cancellation. There are also some unique, scarce or unusual cachetmakers who only made a small number of cacheted first day covers that can command some premium prices as well.

It is a collecting specialty in itself that has pretty much waned in recent years (and market prices have fallen as a result), partially due to the US Postal Service allowing people today to service covers up to two months after the stamps are issued, so the entire idea of a stamp bearing a "first day of issue" cancellation is really more of a novelty than actual fact.

The newer digital color first day of issue cancellations look very nice. But I see your point. What value does a First Day of Issue have when it's cancelled 2 months after the fact.

Hi apastuszak

The cachet maker for US FDC's contributes to the price of the cover. There is a Scott U.S. First Day Cover Catalogue & Checklist.
Subway has a 2007 edition:
http://www.subwaystamp.com/prodinfo...mber=RSCFDC7

Searching around it seems that the newer you go the more expensive.

Alternatives are the Brookman catalog and the Scott Specialized US. I do not think either take into account the cachet maker.

Jerry B

Here is a url for a 2009 version

http://www.amazon.com/Scott-First-C...p/0894874373

I wanted to say that I saw one of these catalogs at my last stamp club meeting.
It really matters who the cachet maker is.

Hi stampvirgin

As I said, the newer the catalog the pricier. One reason I did not list Amazon. I cannot believe the price.

I feel the older catalogs should suffice. I have used the catalog and for FDC's after the 1980's it seemed that the cachet maker was not as important. Before the 1970's it made a big difference, especially the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's.

Jerry B

jb.. according to the newer catalog I saw, cachet makers made a big difference in price..

I'm sure a book store would have it at a reasonable price.

I actually didn't look at the price on the link.
and honestly.. Amazon sucks at book selling... as the link shows... the prices get higher and higher..
people offer them for sale, you buy it then they order it and send it to you.... but there is some software that runs that keeps upping the prices by fractions..
so eventually they end up selling for 100x the normal price..
It's a joke really.

Yep, the book that others sell for < $10 is listed for $500.00 from one seller with the following helpful hint:

"When you buy this book now for $500.00 and sell it back later for a $0.78 Amazon.com Gift Card,
it could cost you as little as $499.22."