President's Issue Cancels

I have a few of the 1938 FDC covers. All were purchased from the same dealer way back when. However, I see a large variety of cancellations. Is there any rhyme or reason to this?

The various types of postmarks hold no special significance. Many different devices/machines were used to postmark first day of issue cancellations, mostly because there were tens of thousands (or even hundreds of thousands) of these covers issued.

The 1/2c Franklin had 224,901 covers issued and was unique in that it was postmarked in Philadelphia. The other Presidential Series stamps all had their First Day of Issue cancellations in Washington, DC, including the 4-1/2c White House (115,820 covers issued); the 8c Van Buren (94,857 covers issued); the 13c Fillmore (58,965 covers issued); and the $2 Harding (19,895 covers issued).

All of the lower denomination covers have a catalog value of between $3.50 to $5.00; however, the $2 Harding has a catalog value of $100.00. Of course, secondary market prices are typically much lower.

Your covers are especially nice because they are all unaddressed (which was not very common back in the day) and have very nice and colorful art deco style period cachets produced by L.W. Staehle.

Thanks for the information, wt1. For some reason, Grandma decided to only purchase a part of the series. I have up to the 13 cents, and then the $1 and $2 covers. Someday, I'll fill in the rest.

The back of the cover notes that all were purchased from a Herbert N. Bair, Box 277, Haverford, PA. If anyone has the missing covers, maybe they could contact me and I can purchase or make a trade?

A trade would be good. I believe I have them all and I don't collect FDC's. I will confirm on the weekend.

Sounds like a good plan. I'll be out of touch for a few days but can reply later next week.