Vermont 7-1-71 Affair

It's not often that a new 7-1-71 cover is found. But, recently a newly reported Vermont 7-1-71 cover from Stratton Mountain, a rural station of South Londonderry, Vermont sold on ebay for $61.00. This is the first time this post office was reported in the 43 years since the 7-1-71 affair happened. For those who are new and don't know about 7-7-71, check out http://www.remcatalog.com .

As the editor of the Vermont Philatelist and creator of the Vermont Philatelic Society website, I have added the complete listing of Vermont 7-1-71 post offices to the site. Just click on http://www.vermontps.org/internetbonus.html a page where I have put a number of internet bonus information.

Glenn Estus

So if I understand this correctly, the REMCATALOG suggests the value of the Stratton Mountain, VT cover is $12 but it recently went for more than 5x that ($61) on the internet.

Someone really must have wanted that one, I guess!

I also find it curious that Jim Forte's Postal History Website does not seem to reference Stratton Mountain, VT post office (even as a Rural Station out of South Londerderry). However, I did find a Postal Bulletin reference suggesting it was established as a Rural Station on 09/15/1962 and it was apparently still in operation through 07/01/1971. Does anyone known when it was discontinued?

Stratton Mountain closed on December 16, 1978. In the Vermont DPO Guide (2006) it has a scarcity rating of "7" (rare, $100-$300), but is now closer to a "6" (very scarce, $50-$100). In my Vermont Stations collection I have 4 examples, but 3 are philatelic.