Need Help On 1c Franklin ID And Removal From Cover

I have a two fold question. My father in law has some stamps he has collected over the years from different places he cleaned out. He showed me these 2 Franklin on a cover. I am not very good at identifying these types of stamps and would like some help. Also it looks like some staining possible mildew on the envelope. Should the stamps be removed from the cover before they are damaged?

As ratty as the cover might be I would not remove them. Not much value either way but I'd leave well enough alone. The cover still includes a postmark and destination, without them there is no story to tell.

These 1c stamps are the Re-engraved issue, Scott 206.

I agree with both of the above statements. I personally would just put it in a postcard or cover poly sleeve and do some research on your cover. You never really know what story could be hidden on that!? Also appears to be an early dial too. That in itself is, at least to me, a bit more interesting than the pair of stamps! Have fun in doing whatever you decide! Sincerely -Jeff

Agreed with everyone else. These stamps have almost zero value off-cover. On-cover, they are worth a few dollars, but more importantly, preserve the history behind the usage.

Brian

Thanks for all the help. Just was concerned if the stamps were valuable and the mildew on the envelop may damage the stamps.

About stopping the mildew:

Mildew is a form of mold and is living. Some book dealers taught me a good trick for non-destructively killing it without using chemicals. Put the cover in a sealable plastic pouch, such as a freezer bag, and put it in the freezer for a couple of days. When you take it out, leave it in the sealed bag until it has completely warmed up. Be careful not to bend the cover while frozen, or the stamps may pop off. Once it is back to room temp you may take it out and using a soft brush brush over the area where the mildew had developed. The dust is dead mold spores and can irritate your nose, but at this point the mildew will be dead and should not spread.

BTW do not confuse foxing (the browning of paper) with mildew. They are different problems. The freezer will not help you with foxing.

Thank you essayK. Two questions from what you see in the picture this is mildew or mold and not foxing? And what is foxing and how do you stop it?

I guess that is 3 questions sorry.

I agree with the previous posts, too.

You might also want to take note that even beyond the poor condition of that cover, the postmark of Center Mills, VA must be relatively scarce, as the post office was only in operation from 1870-1904.

The envelope appears to be water stained. If it has the musty smell of mildew, then you have a mold to deal with. While that is alive you must isolate it from other paper items, until you have dealt with the mold.

If the stamps have mold on them already, then by killing the mold you can save them. Don't spray them with anything though, like Lysol, or it will introduce chemical problems in addition to the mold hazard. Be aware that if the water staining is on the stamps, then they are at high risk of falling off the envelope already. Spraying them will not help that either.

I personally don't think you have any mold to deal with here. It looks to be all correct for a cover that old and unless it jumps out at you as outright smelly then I think you are likely ok.

Since the goal is to suggest steps to help preserve the cover and stamps mentioned in this thread, in the interest of giving accurate and reliable information, I find it necessary to disagree slightly with my friend Jeff. My comment to the effect that "If it has the musty smell of mildew, then you have a mold to deal with." can be verified without guesswork.

If you google "mildew vs mold" you will find that mildew is a fungus and so is mold, and that mildew is in fact a particular type of mold, as I said. The smell of mildew on a damp surface is one of the decay products that comes from the mildew eating sugars and certain solids the dampness surrounds. And it will keep eating until it is stopped.

So if it smells like mildew, you have a fungus to deal with. If you smell that smell, I would not recommend ignoring it. However, if it is but a very faint smell then I would agree that the fungus growth is not large. Yet.

I would also agree that if you do not detect the smell of mildew on it, then it is probably stable. In that case the staining shouldn't get any worse. Just trying to help you sort out your options.

Thank you everyone I really prefer to keep postage on their covers but was a little concerned with the damage or potential of a possible rare stamp.

WT1 Thank you,I appreciate the info on the Post mark I will put a note with the cover and do some follow up.

Essayk I appreciate the heads up and the information. Unfortunately I do not have the cover at this time. My father in law is still in possession of the cover but I will try and work with him on proper care of the cover and when I come in possession I will handle it better. When I was looking at the cover I do not remember a smell of mildew but I was not looking for it either.

Again I appreciate all the help you all have supplied.

Perry

For what its worth, I did find a 1890s era map showing the now-defunct town of Centre Mills, VA in the extreme southwestern portion of Virginia. (Note the spelling Centre instead of Center). Post Office records suggest that when Center Mills, VA post office closed, all records (and probably mail delivery arrangements) went through East Radford, VA:

WOW Fascinating stuff! Also EssayK That does make much better sense. Thank you! -Jeff :)

WT1

I have been reading this site for over a year and you totally amaze me with the information you come up with for the covers. I appreciate all the work and effort you do at making this site a resource and not just a chat site.

Thank you so much.

Perry