Stamps -> Worldwide -> First Day Covers

Collecting first day cover stamps is a popular subset of stamp collecting in general. Those who look for these types of stamps are an enthusiastic and passionate group, many even belonging to societies designed to promote first day covers and first day cover collecting.

First day cover stamps are stamps that were used on their first day of issue that were canceled with a mark that announces the stamps first date of issue. Often first day covers were issued on a date that has some significance with the subject of the stamp. Those types of covers are typically more valuable than others. The “city of issuance” or the city in which the stamp is first issued and sold usually has some tie to the subject of the stamp, as well.

The difference between collecting stamps and collecting first day cover stamps is quite marked. To collect first day covers, you must acquire the entire postcard or envelope on which the stamp was used, rather than the just the stamp itself. The object is to have the envelope completely intact so that the entire cancellation stamp is visible. While many stamps are canceled carelessly, first day covers are typically very straight and aligned so that all the writing is easily visible and readable.

First day cover stamps are the actual newly issued stamp that’s used on the envelope. The first day cancellation is the cancellation marked used, which will state the first day of issuance and the city of issuance. While some first day cancellations are little more than the standard bar lines with the city and the date, some were elaborate pictorial cancellations.

Some more terminology you should known when collecting first day cover stamps deal with the difference types of cancellations used. A show cancellation is a pictorial cancellation that has some tie to a stamp show or other related event. A bullseye cancellation lacks the long straight or wavy bars that extend over the stamp and much of the envelope. These are round cancellations that bear the date of stamp issue, the city and zip code. Some bullseye cancellations are known as “sock-on-the-nose” cancellations, because they were designed to be centered properly.

Round date cancellations are like a bullseye cancellation but much larger, and typically not used for first day of issue cancellations but are sometimes used on stamps depicting special events. Two types of machine cancellations are Model D and Imprinter cancellations, each made from a metal die and rubber die, respectively. Hand cancellations are some of the most desired by collectors, because the stamp was done by hand, typically because the first day cover stamps were considered artistic and unique, and too nice to be canceled by a mere machine!

Online auctions are a great place to find first day cover stamps, whether you’re searching in general or looking for a particular cover. If the photo isn’t large enough for you to read the cover, ask the seller for a better shot so you can be sure of what you’re getting.

Photo Credits: cliff1066™

Originally posted 2008-10-22 05:00:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Condition Guide of Stamp Collectibles Condition The condition of stamp collectibles is a description of a stamps paper, gum (when dealing with mint stamps), and ink characteristics. The most adequate description of a stamp should be concise but still use as many words as necessary to properly describe the stamp. For example, a early British......
• Spain Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Spain & Colonies When looking for old Spain stamps, online auctions like eBay are a great place to search. Often, auctions are in lots so you get several stamps to add to your collection, often from many different countries and time periods. Some stamps can also......
• Benefits of Collecting Old Stamps Collecting old stamps, especially vintage postage stamps can bring great value. Collecting old stamps can be fun and educational, it can be affordable, and it can bring about understanding of history, art, travel and many other areas of culture as well. Here is an explanation of why collecting old stamps......
• Duck Stamps Stamps -> United States -> Back of Book-> Duck Stamps If you are a lover of wildlife, or simply enjoy collectible stamps, the US stamp collection called the Duck Stamp is a terrific stamp to consider learning more about. These are not actually valid for postage, and were first released......
• Collecting Rare Stamps Online You may already have started up your own stamp collection, but how are you going to set your stamp collection apart from other people and their stamp collections? You are going to need to know where to look and shop around in order to find the best rare stamps, and......

• Antique Collection Some people falsely believe that the passion for accumulating a variety of antique treasures in an antique collection is an addiction, such as being a pack rat, but this is not actually true. The truth about going antiquing is that while it may be infectious, it is certainly not a......
• 4 Things to Consider Before Collecting Paper Money Paper money collections can be some of the most interesting and unique collections out there. The rich history and elegant, often colorful design of the bills speaks volumes of different time periods in history. Those who turn to paper money collections will have the most eclectic collections of any kind.......
• The Characteristics of a Good Coin Collector There are thousands of coin collectors who are trying to make the best collection that they can. Some of these individuals are simple hobbyists, while others are professionals who take their passion seriously. You do not have to be a serious or professional coin collector to learn from their work.......
• Collecting Rare Collectibles 102 Rare collectibles are items that are perceived to be hard to find by a collectible, and they may also be antique in nature seeing as many antique collectibles are also rare collectibles. Any item that has a high quality craftsmanship, that is relatively old in nature and that reflects the......
• Judging Your Collection Based on Coin Collecting Values If you are serious about collecting coins, then one of the things that you should be putting consideration into when collecting is coin collecting values. The thing about coin collecting values is that they let you know what price a particular coin is going for. In other words, if you......

• Panama City Fl Trips Fishing
• 1931-40 FDCs (pre-1951) Covers United States Stamps
• Photos, Prints Kansas City Chiefs Football-NFL Fan Apparel & Souvenirs Sports Collectibles
• 27 Round Pool Liners Pool Parts & Maintenance Pools & Spas Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery
• Round Plans Wooden Planters, Pots & Window Boxes Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living Nursery