Space Covers Questions And An Extra Q...

Hi! If you saw my intro over in that section, you probably know that my wife and I recently received a stamp collection. I'm just starting to really slowly sort through it after quickly going through everything the first time when it all arrived originally. I ran across a couple of space first day covers (I think) today while digging through one section and was curious about how common these are. I think they're very interesting, but that doesn't mean they would be to anyone else:





Also there was a poster/print of a 1973 USPS 8cent stamp series of postal workers in one of the envelopes along with the stamps. It sounds like the poster/print was sent only to postal workers or possibly postmasters. Seems like an interesting piece, but I don't know how unique this item is:


Thanks!

Hello bwbollom.......

Welcome to the club.....

Space related material is highly collectible......nice flown cover you have there.....find anything similar ?


Poster type items were used as advertisements......very collectible....some PO's would give them to the first person that asked when the promotion was over.....some just tossed them out.

nr-notrare: Thanks for the welcome and info! I still have a lot of folders and envelopes to go through, but these are the only space related covers that I've seen thus far. I'd love to find more...they're some of my favorites of the collection. I don't know if there are other posters/advertisements, but I wouldn't be surprised. My wife's grandmother was a postmaster and kept a lot of random things like this tucked away. It's interesting to find these items now...fun to dig through it all to see what's in there!

It sounds like the kind of mystery box I'd love to search through ! ........there could be anything in there !

nr-notrare: LOL! That's for sure! Did you see my first post in the "Introduce Yourself Here" forum? I kind of go over what little I do know and shared a photo of my bookshelf where the collection is currently stored. Here it is if you haven't seen it:

The ones I've posted here are coming from that stash of envelopes on the bottom shelf on the left hand side. I need to go through all of those and figure out what the heck is in there! Most of the top 2 shelves are "semi-organized" LOL!

bwbollom......


If you get tired or just feel like you need some help......send an email for my address.

Actually......have you given any thought to maybe selling some and buying more space material or anything else you might like ?

LOL! Well, I appreciate the offer, but since all of this came from my wife's grandma, it's not really my call. She seems like she wants to keep it all and continue adding to it in the future...

bwbollom.....


I think it's a great idea......your wife sounds like a smart woman.......when do we get to meet her ?

I still think you ought to build a collection of material that you like.

nr-notrare: Sorry if that was abbreviated...I was sending from my phone last night while on the road (not driving though!). I definitely appreciate the offer for assistance. I'll likely be asking many more questions in the future, but like I said above, it's my wife's final decision on anything that leaves the collection and for now she seems like she wants to keep it intact.

I'm fine with that as I've never had a start on a stamp collection quite so interesting! Mine as a kid was small and just included what little I could afford on a small allowance that was split among many hobbies. This is an instant, fun, diverse collection! It will definitely just take some time to dig through, catalog, organize, etc.

It's actually something we're looking forward to doing though...definitely not dreading. We just know that we'll have questions. We have a Scott US Pocket Guide for the regular issued stamps, but things like first day covers, advertising posters, etc. we just would have no idea where to look for ideas on rarity, value, etc. I'm sure there are guides, and there is always ebay...

There are a few "regional" first day covers that her grandmother seemed to receive from postmaster friends. Something that was happening in their hometown. One that sticks out in my head is a pumpkin festival in some city in California that happened every year...she has several of these for each year for a string of several years. Other things similar to that that people would just send her...I'm sure she was trading with postmaster friends, first day covers that she could pick up locally. I have no idea how info on something like that could be found or if anyone even collects stuff like that.

Thanks again for all of your comments and help!

nr-notrare: Looks like you just beat me to the send button! My wife might post eventually, but with a full time job and grad school, she's letting me handle the posting for the moment! She's definitely a bright one!

I do like your idea of specializing in something I or we like. We will just have to figure that out as we go...space is definitely at the top of the list though!

bwbollom....

The "regionals" are event covers......very collectible and sought by many. Once you get an idea of the types of things you'd like to consider buying just let us know and someone here will be able to help. The amount and variety of material available for collectors on-line is just amazing.

My wife Sara, is also a collector but has very little free time and depends on me to find things to cut down the amount of time she has to spend hunting. The fact that we both collect makes it much more enjoyable for us.

Don't be shy about asking questions......many members here are quite knowledgeable and very willing to help.

nr-notrare: Thanks for the info on regional/event covers...interesting stuff. I'll definitely get to posting about what I need/want once I know more about what I already have It's really cool that your wife is into the collection as well. I agree that it definitely makes things more fun!