High denomination plate block FDC's
ernie11
Posts: 2,096 ✭✭✭✭✭
Here are some high denomination plate block FDC's that I obtained from Artmaster back then - don't ask me what prompted me to collect these, I must've had more money than common sense. I originally paid $46.00 for the $9.95 Eagle, and $63.00 for the $14 Eagle.
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Not common items. I wonder how much of a market there is for them today?
I always loved the high value stamps. I didn't have the commitment to buy stuff like this, but in my hobbies that involve sending a stamped return envelope or package I use high value stamps ($1 and above) whenever appropriate instead of a bunch of lesser values. That way I can keep the used stamps.
I even bought a set of unused Postage Due stamps from the USPS back when they were phasing out special stamps for paying for insufficient postage. Even though they were not usable they still cost "face value".
Buying $1 and $5 postage due stamps that could not be used for anything was quite a stretch for me. 😀
Another one. Scott 2122a. I originally paid $39.00 for this.
Yet another one. I originally paid $25.00 for this.
Another Artmaster plate block FDC. Scott 3262. I originally paid $52.35 for this.
Another Artmaster plate block FDC. Scott 2842. I originally paid $45.75 for this.
These are great but I must admit a little painful to see. That was real money back then, and even now.
Believe me, I am pained, too, to think that I spent all this money on these FDC's back then. That being said, I do admit that I get a big kick out of looking at them after all these years. I'm going to be posting at least 2 more of these in the near future.
They're impressive, that's for sure.
Some of them must be atleast a little scarce. Although, knowing how the stamp world works, used specimens on actual mailed envelopes are probably more "desirable". But, an Artcraft FDC is far more attractive than a big cardboard mailer.
I did take a quick look at eBay and most sellers of high value FDCs seem to try to start the bidding close to face value, at least for singles.
Scott 2592
I hope this is the last of my high denomination plate block FDC's to post here. Scott O133.
Lots of face value in this thread!
This is an especially interesting one. It's an Artmaster cachet but the USPS return address apparently was how they were able to do an FDC with just the Official Mail stamps. Normally, a "civilian" stamp would also have to be added for the cover to be canceled.
Was it a USPS issued cover? Issued with their permission? There had to be a connection of some kind.
I don't know - I can only say that I got it directly from Artmaster.
I poked around on ebay and it appears all FDCs are like this, although only Artmaster/Artcraft used the USPS return address.
I know that for stamps like Bulk Rate and Non Profit a regular 1st class stamp needs to be added to the FDCs.
Here's an FDC for the Scott 2092 sheet single with RW51 included.
Not a plate block but a high denomination Priority Express Mail FDC from USPS with no cachet. Scott 4650.
Not a plate block but a high denomination Priority Express Mail FDC from USPS with no cachet. Scott 4739.
Have you ever encountered non-philatelic covers using those stamps?
Not yet.
Unfortunately, most all of them are used on packages, boxes, etc., which are not very conducive to saving/collecting.