Cover Terminology Question.

What is a "combo" cover. Is it one with multiple stamps, or multiple cancellations? If the latter (which is what I think), what would you commonly call an FDC that has a variety of stamps on it, in addition to the stamp issued on the date cancelled?

Basil

I believe it can go either way. You can have a cover with multiple stamps and cancels from different places or even time periods. You can also have a FDC which has the stamp for the first day of issue as well as others, usually related in some way - same topic or location, etc.
I would call them combination covers or in the case of the latter a combination FDC. I've seen covers that also have multiple first day of issue postmarks, but all are different for different stamps. "Combination" is just a generic catch all word.

Battlestamps,

After reading your reply, the thought occurred to me to check out Mccusker's website and see how he employs "combination." It looks like he generally restricts it to covers with multiple stamps, but all cancelled the same day. If a cover was cancelled on multiple occasions, he will describe as "dual" or "triple" or "quadruple" cancellations (I found examples of these three, didn't search for covers with five or more different cancellations).

I think that is the kind of distinction I was wondering about, so as to know how to describe certain covers in an exhibit I'm preparing. Following Mccusker, if it is an FDC with additional stamps besides the being issued, and all the postmarks (if more than one) are for that same day, then it is a "combo." But if the cover was used with multiple stamps each cancelled on their first day of issue, then it is not a "combo" but a "multiple" cancellation (or just "dual" or "triple" or whatever numerical reference is appropriate.

Thanks for the reply.

Basil

I describe covers as combo when there are multiple stamps on a cover tied to a single cancellation. I do not mark a cover as combo if the additional stamps add nothing to the issued stamp, but is present just to make the rate needed for the cancel. I use dual for anything having multiple cancels. A dual cover can also have a combo.

AFDCS definitions:

http://afdcs.org/fdcterms.html#Question108

http://afdcs.org/fdcterms.html#dual_cancel

djlirette,

Thanks for the links. I am going to download that AFDCS glossary.

Basil