I See These Huge Lots Of FDC Boxes And Am Tempted

On a well known internet site, I see these FDC huge lots and am tempted, but a lot of the time they don't show a lot of photos of what's there. Have any of you purchased those kind of lots, and are you pleased with what you get?

Thanks!
Gussyboy1

Hello Gussy....

Several thoughts come to mind.........

Pre 1950 or so, it was possible for collectors to go to many post offices and buy most new issues and place them on a cover to create a First Day of use cover and have it pass through the mail system. Since the 50's (approx.) most issues have been only released in certain cities so collector made FDC's are much less common.

FDC's created by the various companies almost never actually go through the mail (although some do) and the cancel was generally applied within a day or two of the date of issue. In July 1971 postal officials changed the ruling so that first day cancels could be applied up to 30 days after actual first day. In the past few years it was changed again so that first day cancels can be applied up to 60 days after first day. Some find this acceptable some do not. I ask you, Are these really FDC's ?

I am not saying that FDC's are not collectible, I'm just trying to point out that some are different than others and I think it's important that collectors know the difference so as to understand that some can be considered postal history (those that have actually been through the mail) and most are not. I personally have some from each of these groups.

There are also collectors that consider common recent FDC's as just fancy CTO's. Things that were never intended to actually go through the mail. For modern issues it is very difficult to find a common use First Day Cover......a cover created simply by the happenstance of someone using the mail system.....the best FDC's in my opinion.

It is up to each of us to decide what we will include in our collections. There is NO wrong way to collect and NO material that can be considered not collectible. I can say that you should collect what YOU like, my opinion is just that, my opinion.

gussyboy1

I have one of those lots comming and should be here any day.

I'll let you know

Dianne

Thanks so much for teaching this newbie! I really appreciate it!

Now I am more educated to make a better decision when seeing these FDC's.

Gussyboy1

Hi gussyboy1

Received my FDC's today. There was 45 of them and they are pretty neat.

Dianne

I used to have a "FDC" service that would send me non-postal FDC's for all US issues. I eventually realized that they didn't fit my definition of postally collectable items so I sold what I had.

IMHO a piece should go through the mail to be valid - but please understand that that is my opinion and opinions are like belly buttons . . . . everyone has one!

I would much rather have a postally used non-FDC cover than a fake FDC any day.

nr-notrare - EXCELLENT post! I've only been to one stamp show, but I remember seeing boxes and boxes of FDC's.

It seems I should brush up before buying - although I think most of them were like $0.50 each - so if you like it, I would say go for it!

I remember as a kid in the '60's and '70's, I vaguely remember sending self-addressed envelopes and getting FDC's back. I've still got a few of those.

Yes I have bought them..learn from me...will you have a market or trading partners for the duplication you will get ??? If so..go for it, there are always very nice covers salted in to make the deal look attractive..take them out for yourself of course..that will reduce the cost of the xtras you will have to dispose of..i like covers..but who needs heavy duplication hanging around ???