Some Are Judged by Their ‘Covers’

Question: Explain to me what a cover is. You sometimes refer to covers in your comments about envelopes.--T.S.

Answer: Cover is a philatelic term for an envelope, with or without stamps affixed. It may or may not have gone through the normal mails or by a private courier service. Some collectors and dealers also call postal cards “covers.”

Remember that stamps on their original cover may be more valuable than the same stamps soaked off of their envelopes. This is especially true for rare or 19th-Century issues. Some scarce stamps are unknown in the form of a proper use on cover, and should such a cover be discovered it could bring an astronomical price at auction.

Q: What are the first two French airmails worth?--R.T.

A: In mint condition, $185 each, and $175 each for canceled in the latest Scott catalogue. (Be aware that counterfeits of these exist.)

They were issued June 25, 1927, at the International Aviation Exhibition at Marseilles, France. Only one set could be purchased by each admission ticket holder, which accounts for their rarity today.

Q: I have a sizable collection of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms bottle stamps. How do I determine the value of them? They all look the same but are of different ages.--E.W.

A: I am not sure what you have. Distilled-spirits excise tax stamps were discontinued in 1959. It sounds as if you have a modern bottle revenue instead, of no special value. Take them to a stamp dealer for a quick opinion.

Q: I am interested in collecting stamps depicting items of Judaica, printed by countries other than Israel. Are there any catalogues or books on this subject? Are there any clubs that may specialize in this area?--J.E.

A: For books, send a self-addressed stamped envelope, asking for what topic you want, to: American Topical Assn., Box 630-W, Johnstown, Penn. 15907. And I have an old address that you might try for club information: Sam Simon, Judaica Historical Philatelic Society, 80 Bruce Ave., Yonkers, N.Y. 10705.

Q: Can disease be spread by handling postage stamps, either mint or used?--R.D.

A: Studies that I’ve seen indicate that bacteria don’t live well on stamps or on the back gum.

Q: I saw in the newspapers quite some time ago that a 1-cent blue Franklin stamp from the Jerry Buss collection sold for $418,000. The series dates 1861-1867. I have a 3-cent George Washington in my collection of that series. There were only eight stamps in that set. Can you give me an estimate of the value of my stamp? I have no idea how many were printed of that one and would like a quote if possible.--L.H.J.

A: The Superior Stamp and Coin Co. auction in Beverly Hills had the rare 1867 1-cent blue Franklin stamp with a “Z-grill.” It did sell for $418,000, the largest price ever for a single United States stamp.

This is because it is the only known copy in private hands, is listed in the Scott’s catalogue under number 85A and is needed by sophisticated collectors to complete a set of 19th-Century U.S. stamps. In other words, it is rare and desirable and only one person can ever hope to own it.

Grills are little “bumps” or indentations that were impressed into the paper of certain U.S. 19th-Century stamps so that the canceling ink would penetrate the stamp and make difficult the fraudulent removal of a stamp’s cancel for reuse of the stamp. The Z-grill is unique because it is horizontal instead of the normal vertical position.

There was a 3-cent rose Washington stamp with the Z-grill, issued in 1867 and currently catalogued at $3,000 mint, $900 canceled. But chances are that you have a common variety, such as the 3-cent Washington of 1861, priced at $45 mint, $1.10 used. Show your stamp to a dealer and get an opinion on its true catalogue number and value.

Q: I occasionally design and print cacheted envelopes for a children’s club. It was mentioned to me that the Postal Service provides advance notice of stamp issues to envelope-cachet designers. Is this true, and if so, how do I get on their list?--D.B.

A: Write to Stamp News U.S.A., U.S. Postal Service, Washington, D.C. 20260, and ask to be put on their philatelic-release mailing list.

Q: Would you say that 20th-Century United States stamps issued before World War II have better potential of price appreciation than the current issues of Greenland, Iceland and Liechtenstein?--R.K.

A: Yes, but I don’t guarantee it. Pre-World War II stamps are generally in shorter supply than recent material and therefore have greater potential for price increases. But collectors and investors can change their minds, and their future choices are somewhat unpredictable. If it was otherwise, we would all be rich.

Q: I have a telegram dated July 29, 1919, made from the Zeppelin. What is its value?--J.P.

A: Was it carried on the Zeppelin flight? Which Zeppelin? Does it have contents that refer to the flight? What is its condition? Is it signed by a famous person? Is it genuine? These factors affect its value. Maybe $25?