Condition Of Classic Us. Covers

I have been comparison shopping for older U.S covers on ebay and Stampwants...i am a bit surprised that covers with tears and tatters till have a healthy asking price...after all condition does matter...i asked a collector of classic Guatemala covers and he said you have to expect that with the older covers ..my Secret Santa listened and sent me a half dozen or so older U.S. covers..i have to research a couple of them...the post offices may no longer exist and that would be great for my dead post offices collection !!

I am not a postal history collector, but I would also think that condition would be a factor. Maybe, it is more lax for classic covers considering the age of a paper item. I know that there are some DPO's along route 66 that I should start compiling if I ever start collecting postal history covers.

Phil:

Older covers from the United States are so in demand that the "poor shape" one command good prices. So you are collecting DPOs (Dead Post Offices). Are you just collecting the one from NYS?

There is a series of books (about $25 US each) on the known post offices of the United States. They are divided up geographically (New England, SouthWest, etc.). Mike Powell haas the one for New England for his postal history study of Oswego Cty, NY. There are two "Red Hook" POs listed, "Red Hook" (still open, as you know), and another... Red Hook Landing, or something like that. Will have to check with Mike to see what its called.

David

I've noticed that experienced dealers tend to ask high prices for pre-1900 covers in XF condition (no tears, stains, ugly marks and with decently centered, undamaged stamps). They are usually unwilling to come down in price much on these (no more than 15%). They are much more willing to barter on the ratty ones. Other dealers price everything high, regardless of condition.

For very scarce 19th century covers, I allow for a few more defects, because it may be a long time before I can find another. My litmus test is "do I like looking at the cover?" If I can't see past the faults, I don't buy the cover, whatever the price. For more common 19th century covers and 20th century covers, I see no reason to accept poor condition and will wait for a very nice looking one.

I guess the true test would be whether or not you can wait for the next one to come along.

The way I research DPO's is to go to the USPS site tab "find a post office." If enter a town and state and the nearest post office is not in that town, it would be safe to assume that post office has been discontinued.

Also, for me, DPO does not so much mean Discontinued Post Office as Dead Post Office. That's the first thing that comes to mind when I see DPO. After all, who thinks DOA means Discontinued On Arrival?

David Giles New York State alone has hundreds if not more dead post offices..i have several withing walking distance of my house...well one actually changed names...Clermont and Upper Red Hook , and Barrytown post offices no longer exist ..Maldin changed its name to Tivoli New York I believe in the early 1940's I have one of those..its easy to find the local ones..many people have old letters..

Phil:

Check with the Empire State Postal History Society. They may have a list of DPOs for you!

David