Advice Sought On Cut Square Varieties: Good, Bad And Ugly

Here are assorted cut envelope squares representative of cut squares I received in a collection that spans about 50 years. Some are good, bad or plain ugly. My question is do we preserve and collect them all? What impact do these differences in the cuts make in collect-ability or value in general. My opinion could be way off so I seek yours. My opinion would be a cut square should include the entire postal marking, cancellation included, with margins to spare. Typically this leads to a triangle. But in old cancels a margin around the postage is sufficient. But as you seem someone was used to 'cutting on the lines' and never grew out of it. Whats your opinion: do they all belong in a collection?

Latin Heart Reader

Whatever you want belongs in your collection. personally I take "cut square" literally - that is -it is a square and I expect some border around it. So cutting the image out is not really of interest to me. I personally prefer a larger square with cancellation included.

Sure, they all belong in a collection. Value, however, is greatly diminished by cut squares in general, not to mention those that are carefully cut around the image itself.

One must remember that back in the day the cut squares shown were issued, many stamp albums provided only limited space for them, demanding that collectors cut them close in order to fill a specific space in an album.

Of course, modern-day collectors generally shy away from cut squares altogether, in favor of collecting complete "covers". It doesn't mean these cut squares aren't "collectible"; just don't plan on them being as valuable as the larger cut square counterparts or full covers may be worth.

Latin Heart Reader Here
Yeah, sounds like I'm in tune with the community. Since they changed to 'stickers' for stamps I've taken these odd dogs to my rescue pound. They sit in my sorting pages but only the full cancel cut squares go into the album. Simply don't have the heart to put down an old dog from the 19th century. But as you all say, they are retired from the collections breeder cup.

Contrary to the previous postings, collecting of US envelopes as cut squares is still alive and well. Scott dropped cut squares from their 1900 international album for space considerations so the popularity has diminished. There are still pages for cut squares for the Scott National Album. Postal cards have always been collected entire.

Bill Lehr
US postal stationery specialist

Glad to see that some still collect the US cut squares. Unfortunately for those interested in market value, it seems Linn's is reporting that their 2015 catalog will reflect declines in US cut square values, as collectors seem to be more interested in used envelope entires:

http://linns.com/news/us-stamps/354...-Scott-Vol-1

Hi Bill and gang.

Again, good input one and all. Thanks for the lead on the catalog data. I will run one down. As for popularity what can anyone say. Reduced popularity translates into difficulty to find in common places. I've found some luck in antique shops!

Latin Heart Reader