Twice Used Cover

A pretty common looking cover....but....


When you look at the back it looks odd.

That's because someone unglued the envelope flipped it inside out and re-used it. Best part is the original use was from Rochester, N.Y. to France.So, there is a nicely preserved 5cent blue Tercentenary stamp inside. Post mark inside is 1921 Rochester. I can't see any French rcvd mark on the 'inside' back.

It's odd to me that the second use was also from Rochester.

Pretty cool stuff. Obviously it doesn't display well. But, I know its there.

A "Turned Cover" is unusual this late. Most were from the War of Northern Aggression. The South had a shortage of paper and had to do this. Those are very collectable.

Art

artlaunier, paper shortage causing re-use (turned cover) makes sense. 1922,? that wouldn't seem to be the issue. And if the cover actually made it to France it must have traveled back to the states before being turned and used again.

I wish there was a way to show the interior. Or just to see it better.

I assume slicing it open would be a very bad idea.

Is there a way you can unseal it, scan it, and then reseal it so we could see.
Tom

Slicing it open is a bad idea as would be soaking it as that would lift the stamps. This late usage makes it very collectable but I don't think its very valuable, jmo. I have no good suggestions as to opening it without damaging it.

Art

Is it possible to use a mirror inside to take a reflection with a camera?

Gar, that's an idea. Maybe an automotive mirror. I'll check into it. I don't have one but should know someone that does.
artlaunier, yea I think it's pretty novel. To me it would be better if the nice blue tercentenary was the one on the outside. I really like that stamp.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes and love to see it of you get it opened.

Art

To add just a bit to Art's excellent comment about the re-using of envelopes in the War for Southern Independence in the southern states, you can also find envelopes that were hand-made out of all kinds of paper including wall paper, printed notices, etc. Especially towards the end of the war paper was at a premium.

My initial thought about this envelop is that is could simply be some miser or penny-pincher trying to save a cent or two by re-using an envelope.

Gar a really good idea. I'll be curious now to see more than ever.
Tom

Turned cover are also found during World War II. I've seen turned covers during and after WWII from Great Britian, France and Germany when paper and stationery were in short supply. One can also find envelopes made out of maps.

Hi to all, Battle stamps is right, during WWII they were used in Great Britian. I have one also. Usually they would carefully slice the envelope open and repast it
Horamakhet

Turned covers are also fairly common in the pre-stamp era--the recipient of a letter would write at a 90degree angle to the original, re-fold and send it on to the next member of the family. I have a couple of these buried in the recesses of who know where, have seen others. The cross-writing makes deciphering verrry interesting.
Roger

They pretty much nailed it. Great find stampcrow!

It was pretty neat to stumble on it. You just never know! That's what makes these little treasure hunts so much fun.

All about the hobby.
Tom