Cover Restoration

chipg I am just enamored with those covers you show up top as they are absolutely striking! I could only dream of owning something so beautiful! If you ever feel the need to part with them then I'm your huckleberry! lol

Funny this came up...

This has had some light restoration work (pressed, re folded, cleaned lightly) but it's one of 3 examples of the 24c rate to Italy via Bremen-Hamburg Mail extant and by far the nicer of the two franked with a single 24c stamp:



Chip, this is the cover that we were discussing in Hartford.

As Chip illustrated, rarity is where I can certainly overlook condition. There's no reason to buy, say, a piggy 12c or 24c cover to England.

The significance of this cover is that it's one of a handful of very short lived Bremen-Hamburg mail rates that were in effect for most of 1867. Some of which are extremely rare or unique.

And here's one that I love and one that I've been told to have restored but I hate to do so:

One of Herman Herst's maxims was that condition is a factor only in relation to rarity.

BillW2 -- What a gem! I'd leave it intact.

billw2: Is that scotch tape on the reverse?

Generally I am one that does not mess with an item that comes my way. However, tape on a valuable cover ($$wise or historical) is a candidate for professional removal imo.

billw; that cover is a perfect candidate for restoration. Nancy Poli can remove all of the staining and repair the huge tear at right. Might set you back $500. or so and take 1-2 years to get done, but she's the best.