Posts: 361
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Aug 2000

Posts: 1329
From: New York, NY
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 04-23-2005 10:23 PM               

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Envelopes are blank.

Covers have a stamp, cancel and usually a cachet.

[This message has been edited by Astro Bill (edited April 23, 2005).]

Posts: 1512
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-24-2005 07:24 AM               

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The term "cover" comes from early on where the "cover" went over a letter or item sent through the post to protect it. Centuries ago this was usually an ornate item (paper, parchment, sometimes leather) sealed with wax or a tie closure. The term continued to be applied to paper wrappings and envelopes as they became more common in the early 1800's, and has stuck around.

Dennis Dillman

Posts: 361
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Aug 2000