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There are many ways to collect First Day Covers. This guide will
discuss several major options, available resources, general pricing
advice and more. How you collect is your choice. Whatever your
choice, you will be able to find a wide array of material on eBay with
which to build your collection.
What is a first day cover?
The three basic elements of a first day cover are the envelope, the stamp and the postmark. The postmark is the critical element as it verifies the date on which the stamp in question was cancelled and ties it to the cover. If the date of the cancel is on the first day a particular stamp design has been issued by the post office, the evelope it is on is a First Day cover.
Generally, the US Post Office issues a stamp in only one city the day before a new issue is put on sale in post offices around the nation. The issuance of a new stamp is frequently a cause of celebration, and as such the post office often holds special ceremonies in the First Day city. A special Ceremony Program has been used at most of these events since WWII. These are also collectible. On eBay you should search for First Day Programs. .
Most people focus on first day covers themselves. Since 1923 first day covers have been decorated with a special cachet printed, stamped, pasted or drawn on the envelope. These designs vary from the crudely drawn to virtual works of art in their own right. First day covers can be broadly grouped into two primary groups: Cacheted and Un-Cacheted. A number of individuals and companies have developed a series of cachets over the years which they sold to the general collecting public. Some first day cover collectors specialize in collecting one or more cachet maker, trying to accumulate as many different creations of their favorite over time. See Cachet Makers
A second major division of First Day Covers focuses on whether the First Day Cover has been addressed or not. Prior to World War 2, most first day covers are addressed. Since the war, it became increasingly possible and popular to get first day covers clean, without an address on them. While some collectors argue that a properly addressed first day cover deserves to be valued more than one that was mass produced and never even mailed, the marketplace has ruled otherwise. Collectors prefer clean unaddressed first day covers over addressed one in almost all cases. An exception may exist for items mailed to obscure locations or to famous people.
Generally first days without addresses in the years before 1940 deserve a premium as most first days during that period are addressed. First days after 1950 that are addressed, are typically heavily discounted, often by as much as 80% compared to unaddressed samples. The 1940's are a transition period, when most covers are still addressed, but unaddressed examples are becoming more avaialble. Most collectors would prefer an unaddressed cover from this peirod, but addressed items are still widely collected. This is particularly true of the better (scarcer) cachet makers.
Don't Forget Postal Cards
US Postal Cards are an often forgotten aspect of first day cover collecting. As a result, they offer the collector an opportunity to build a significant collection at realtively low cost. Unfortunately most dealers do not carry these. Visit ETN Covers eBay store to get a better than average selection. Find UX & UY FDC's Here
A Hint for First Day Cover shoppers
You will find a much broader selection of first day covers in the eBay Stores than you will on the acution site. You will also benefit from having items priced on a "Buy it Now" basis, which means you don't have to wait until an auction is over or worry about someone out bidding you at the last moment. The best approach is to identify the top half dozen or so ebay stores that sell first day covers and monitor their stocks from time to time. US Stamps Ebay Stores
Cachet Makers
Among the more popular cachet makers are the following: (Note by clicking on the cachet makers name, you will be taken to all currently listed items by that cachet maker on auction in eBay.)
Artcraft
Artcraft are perhaps the most numerous cachet available. Started in 1939, Artcraft used plain black ink engraved designs. Very clean and well executed designs were well recieved by stamp collectors. After all stamp collectors have an advanced level of appreciation for engraved art, like the stamps they collected. Because they were produced and collected heavily, they are among the most common first day cachet on the aftermarket. At the same time, that popularity has resulted in many people trying to collect them all. The early issues from 1939 are more difficult to come by. There are a number of variations available to add to the enjoyment. With the exception of early issues, you should probably insist on unaddressed material for this cachet maker.
L W Staehle
Staehle created first day covers from 1938 and into the 1940's. On some issues he prepared more than one cachet. His cachets are usually signed and are distictive for their use of color. Staehle cachets typically bring a significant premium over more common cachets of the period, largely due to their atractive use of color. When searching for his cachets, you should use his last name in the ebay search engine.
W.G. Crosby
W. G. Crosby cachets are most readily identified by the use of a small actual picture on the cachet and his use of raised print caused by the thermographic printing process he used. Crosby started making ship covers in the early 1930's using the same techniques. Crosbys generally bring a significant premium over the more common first day cover. He issued multiple cachets for many issues. While most Crosby's have the photo, he did produce a number of cachets without photos. These all have the same general design elements and printing style.
Dr. Henry Ioor
Ioor produced cachets starting in 1929 with the 2ct George Rogers Clark issue, and through his death in 1940 and beyond as his sister continued to make cachets. Early cachets are unsigned, but you will sometime see covers addressed to Ioor himslef. later issues are signed. Various catalogs exist with photos of Ioor and other cachet makers work to aid in identifying cachets. Generally you can trust the identifications made on eBay form sellers with significant First Day listings. Most of these sellers have the knowledge and as importantly the library needed to properly identify cachet makers. Early Ioors (1929-32) sell at a moderate premium. During the 1930's Ioor was one of the more prolific sellers and most issues are relatively abundent. Which makes collecting Ioors a sound move, if one is seeking to build a classic first day collection on a more modest budget.
Overseas Mailer
Overseas Mailer cachets were produced between 1953 and 1977. They are characterized by the placement of a second complementary cachet on another selected first day cover of another producer. The selected covers were often the most attractive cachets of the given issue, and the add on's added significantly. These were generally produced for the international market, and the idea was to select a premium US cachet and make it available for foriegn collectors with the added value of the suplemental cachet. These are considered premium cachets typically selling in the $8-10 range each.
More to come. This is a work in progress. Earl Netwal - ETN Covers
I offer a wide range of First Day Covers on eBay. Visit My First Days!
What is a first day cover?
The three basic elements of a first day cover are the envelope, the stamp and the postmark. The postmark is the critical element as it verifies the date on which the stamp in question was cancelled and ties it to the cover. If the date of the cancel is on the first day a particular stamp design has been issued by the post office, the evelope it is on is a First Day cover.
Generally, the US Post Office issues a stamp in only one city the day before a new issue is put on sale in post offices around the nation. The issuance of a new stamp is frequently a cause of celebration, and as such the post office often holds special ceremonies in the First Day city. A special Ceremony Program has been used at most of these events since WWII. These are also collectible. On eBay you should search for First Day Programs. .
Most people focus on first day covers themselves. Since 1923 first day covers have been decorated with a special cachet printed, stamped, pasted or drawn on the envelope. These designs vary from the crudely drawn to virtual works of art in their own right. First day covers can be broadly grouped into two primary groups: Cacheted and Un-Cacheted. A number of individuals and companies have developed a series of cachets over the years which they sold to the general collecting public. Some first day cover collectors specialize in collecting one or more cachet maker, trying to accumulate as many different creations of their favorite over time. See Cachet Makers
A second major division of First Day Covers focuses on whether the First Day Cover has been addressed or not. Prior to World War 2, most first day covers are addressed. Since the war, it became increasingly possible and popular to get first day covers clean, without an address on them. While some collectors argue that a properly addressed first day cover deserves to be valued more than one that was mass produced and never even mailed, the marketplace has ruled otherwise. Collectors prefer clean unaddressed first day covers over addressed one in almost all cases. An exception may exist for items mailed to obscure locations or to famous people.
Generally first days without addresses in the years before 1940 deserve a premium as most first days during that period are addressed. First days after 1950 that are addressed, are typically heavily discounted, often by as much as 80% compared to unaddressed samples. The 1940's are a transition period, when most covers are still addressed, but unaddressed examples are becoming more avaialble. Most collectors would prefer an unaddressed cover from this peirod, but addressed items are still widely collected. This is particularly true of the better (scarcer) cachet makers.
Don't Forget Postal Cards
US Postal Cards are an often forgotten aspect of first day cover collecting. As a result, they offer the collector an opportunity to build a significant collection at realtively low cost. Unfortunately most dealers do not carry these. Visit ETN Covers eBay store to get a better than average selection. Find UX & UY FDC's Here
A Hint for First Day Cover shoppers
You will find a much broader selection of first day covers in the eBay Stores than you will on the acution site. You will also benefit from having items priced on a "Buy it Now" basis, which means you don't have to wait until an auction is over or worry about someone out bidding you at the last moment. The best approach is to identify the top half dozen or so ebay stores that sell first day covers and monitor their stocks from time to time. US Stamps Ebay Stores
Cachet Makers
Among the more popular cachet makers are the following: (Note by clicking on the cachet makers name, you will be taken to all currently listed items by that cachet maker on auction in eBay.)
Artcraft
Artcraft are perhaps the most numerous cachet available. Started in 1939, Artcraft used plain black ink engraved designs. Very clean and well executed designs were well recieved by stamp collectors. After all stamp collectors have an advanced level of appreciation for engraved art, like the stamps they collected. Because they were produced and collected heavily, they are among the most common first day cachet on the aftermarket. At the same time, that popularity has resulted in many people trying to collect them all. The early issues from 1939 are more difficult to come by. There are a number of variations available to add to the enjoyment. With the exception of early issues, you should probably insist on unaddressed material for this cachet maker.
L W Staehle
Staehle created first day covers from 1938 and into the 1940's. On some issues he prepared more than one cachet. His cachets are usually signed and are distictive for their use of color. Staehle cachets typically bring a significant premium over more common cachets of the period, largely due to their atractive use of color. When searching for his cachets, you should use his last name in the ebay search engine.
W.G. Crosby
W. G. Crosby cachets are most readily identified by the use of a small actual picture on the cachet and his use of raised print caused by the thermographic printing process he used. Crosby started making ship covers in the early 1930's using the same techniques. Crosbys generally bring a significant premium over the more common first day cover. He issued multiple cachets for many issues. While most Crosby's have the photo, he did produce a number of cachets without photos. These all have the same general design elements and printing style.
Dr. Henry Ioor
Ioor produced cachets starting in 1929 with the 2ct George Rogers Clark issue, and through his death in 1940 and beyond as his sister continued to make cachets. Early cachets are unsigned, but you will sometime see covers addressed to Ioor himslef. later issues are signed. Various catalogs exist with photos of Ioor and other cachet makers work to aid in identifying cachets. Generally you can trust the identifications made on eBay form sellers with significant First Day listings. Most of these sellers have the knowledge and as importantly the library needed to properly identify cachet makers. Early Ioors (1929-32) sell at a moderate premium. During the 1930's Ioor was one of the more prolific sellers and most issues are relatively abundent. Which makes collecting Ioors a sound move, if one is seeking to build a classic first day collection on a more modest budget.
Overseas Mailer
Overseas Mailer cachets were produced between 1953 and 1977. They are characterized by the placement of a second complementary cachet on another selected first day cover of another producer. The selected covers were often the most attractive cachets of the given issue, and the add on's added significantly. These were generally produced for the international market, and the idea was to select a premium US cachet and make it available for foriegn collectors with the added value of the suplemental cachet. These are considered premium cachets typically selling in the $8-10 range each.
More to come. This is a work in progress. Earl Netwal - ETN Covers
I offer a wide range of First Day Covers on eBay. Visit My First Days!
Guide created: 10/06/05 (updated 09/05/09)
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