Do You Collect FDC's?

If you collect first day covers, do you prefer pristine, unaddressed covers that never went through the mail or addressed FDC's that survived the mail system is less than perfect condition?

How do you feel FDC's that have been pencil addressed and erased?

What about FDC's with the address whited out? FDC's with labels?
FDC's with labels removed? Are they all worth collecting, too?

What about the older, grungier ones that have survived a lot of time, and maybe many hands?

Or some of the more recent (1960's) ArtCraft and possibly others where the glue seams are turning brown and showing through on the front of the cover?

Are there any cachet brands you prefer?

When you buy FDC's, do you look the less common Cachets -- other than, say, ArtCraft, Artmaster, and Fleetwood?

What about FDC's without cachets?

I have an accumulation of these to dispose of and would appreciate input from those who know and collect them. Thanks.

I don't care if they went through the mud, in fact I think I like the well used through the postal system best.

It adds to the cover IMHO.

Most of mine have been given to me since it is a secondary part of my stamp hobby but I have a growing interest now.

Larry......

I think any or all of the possibilities you've listed could have any number of collectors interested.

As a general rule FDC's are not on my want lists but......I do have a fair number of them in both addressed and un-addressed condition.

I have about every type of FDC you mentioned, except maybe white out. I do like unaddressed with a cachet best. However, I am open to all as long as I like the cover. I usually search $1 boxes. You can find good deals in discount boxes and lots. I primarily focus on Lincoln covers and really like pictorial postmarks from the standard killer bars.

If you have any Lincoln covers I would be interested.

I am an avid collector of the FDC's of the United States Americana Definitve Series (1975-1986).

I save them in binders with Vario pages, and I collect them by cachet maker and by the format of the stamps on the FDC (ie. single, pair, block, plate block, etc.) I also collect Unoffical FDC's of the series, too.

I prefer FDC's which have actually travelled through the mail, to get to the collector, but I save both types.

David

David, how many FDC's of the Americana series do you have thus far?
It is a beautiful series! Show us some of your collection, Please!

Gussyboy1

I suppose I collect them. You know my situation,
and that I am just learning. However, Dad left so
many FDCs, I suppose I collect them by default. I
have added quite a few FDCs to his since taking
over the collection, and I have enjoyed them...
So yeah... I will continue to collect them. To
answer your immediate question, I don't care if
they are addressed or not. I might develop a
preference one day. But not yet.



My inexperienced mind would think less of this.
If it has an address, leave it. To erase it is
pretty obvious and would reduce my desire
for the cover slightly.

That is way worse than erasing! I would consider
it collectible, but at a reduced value.



Would not be an issue for me.



Is the removal obvious? The more obvious, the
less desirable in my mind. Rather than worrying
about seeing a name and address on the cover, I
would be more concerned with damage or defacing
by removing such things.



That's just added character IMO. Yes, maybe I'd be
inclined to pay less, but I wouldn't pass them over
if they had a cachet or stamp that I wanted.


Less desirable all, but why not. I am going
to see what I can find to put in the envelopes of
mine to stand between the glued portion and the front
where stains could seep through. I have to find what
paper or material will be safe for the paper and find
pieces that are either the correct size, or easy to
trim to fit. Then I will stuff each FDC. Getting off
topic, but you made me think of it... Maybe someone
makes what I am describing. ???



Dad was putting together a set of "Colorano Silks".
I am not as picky. I like Art Craft for the 'artsy'
feel of their cachets. However, Fluegal is one that
really stands out for me. They are a more 'down home'
art, but really colorful and generally attractive.
So, I suppose I prefer Fluegal, but I am still easy.



I'd have to say 'Yes' to that.



I suppose I'd have to make one comment on that one...
I have FDCs on plain envelopes that I bought myself,
and I like them just fine. However, it did cross my
mind that one could conceivably have a plain FDC
that never actually went through the mail system.
That is one FDC that would be nearly worthless IMO.
A cachet that was never mailed is cool, but a plain
envelope needs something... If not mailed,
AND no cachet, that's just too much missing for me.



Well, apparently I collect them, but I sure don't
know much yet!



Why sure!

Modern_Who


I Collect The U.S. Transportation Series.

If You Have Any For Sale Let Me Know.
DJD

Gussy:

I have 232 FDC's of the Americana Series.

Here's the deall on my scanner. I upgraded my computer to an Apple notebook. My excellent HP scanner will not work with it. I will pick-up a PC this month and hook-up my scanner to it.

Then, loook out! I've a lot of scans to do to share with the SCF.

David

Since I'm still fairly new at the Hobby ( less then a year). I'm not too picky right now on what I get. I do catch myself though leaning more towards the covers that have been thru the mail. Especially the older ones because I like to sit and wonder who all has handled them, what have they been thru, and stuff like that. To me, IMHO, the older postally used ones seem to have more character then the unaddressed ones that can be ordered from the USPS, and therefore I prefer them over the prestine covers.

Thanks for your input, everyone. I guess what I find most surprising is the acceptance if not preference for addressed FDC's that went through the mail.

Stamperdude, I'll look out for Lincoln covers.

DJD, ditto the transportation series.

I don't specifically collect FDC's anymore, but when I did I subscribed to a service that provided them grouped every four to six weeks. They were virgin covers.

Now however, IMHO, FDC's and covers that have been through the mail have more character. Like me (and some others on this forum) age gives them enhanced value!

I'd rather have 'honest' addresses and mailing, than
obvious attempts at covering that up, like white-out
and erasing. It's like trying to revise history... We
all know the truth, but we all pretend not to see it!

David

Stamperdude, I did find a few Lincoln FDC's and will post them in the Stamps You Want To Sell thread.

DJD, sorry, noting from the transportation series among these but I will keep them in mind.

If anyone else has any particular FDC interests, let me know and I will check for you.

I collect FDCs of stamps with subjects on the 50 states.
State flags, state flowers, settlement anniversaries,
statehood anniversaries, state birds, etc...

Examples: