Envelope With Mysterious Contents

Hi there,

I ordered the cover shown below b/c of one of the postmarks on the reverse and when I received it, I found it to be unopened! I trimmed the side to open it and within I found nothing but a blank piece of paper... Any theories on this one? The envelope is watermarked - I can make out 'Howard' and 'Bell-East'. The paper is also watermarked - I can make out 'Linsmore' and 'Made in Canada'. I think these are just the companies that made the envelope and paper though...

It is common practice for collectors to add a blank stiffener card inside their philatelic covers to enhance their survivability in the mailstream.

Normally this indicates a philatelic creation; someone wanted a souvenir of the royal visit so they prepared this cover and sent it to themselves or a friend.

Ahh, I see. I started to lean that way. The cover was postmarked on what I believe to be June 27, 1939. The issue on the cover was released June 17, 1939 according to Unitrade.

Yes, this looks like a FDC for the stamp... altho the cancel does not say its an FDC....Interesting that the stamps are on the left, not in the normal position expected.... on the right.

My old Lyman's Catalog says first day of issue was 17 June 1939 -- Issued: "to commemorate the Royal Visit by their Majesties during the summer of 1939". Printer: Wilkinson & Co.; Perf 13½x13½; UNWMKED.

Opening the envelop probably did not materially impact value since there was no cache on the envelop and it is addressed.

I thought FDC's always had the stamps in top right corner..???

Robert

I believe FDC cancellations are a "recent" phenomena. FDC are an "official cancellation" started in the 1930(?) and often accompanied with a formal ceremony. Sort of like the NFL cashing in on the NFL draft with a formal ceremony (lol). Prior to then covers were identified as "earliest date of use" or something similar.

Stamps placed in the upper right corner evolved with canceling machines in the last third of the 19th century. Consistent stamp placement was needed for speed and efficiency of processing. The best way to get a handstamp cancel instead of a machine cancel on a philatelic cover like this was to place the stamps in a non-standard position.

Philatelic, but not a first day cover. The Royal Visit stamp was issued on 17 June 1939, ten days before this cancel. Special cancels were used on the first day at Holyrood and St. John's.