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Author
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Topic: Identifying my Apollo 11 envelope
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cboggan
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posted 07-20-2009 04:49 PM
   
Forty years ago, my uncle mailed myself and my brothers an envelope with something in it, (never opened it to find out what). The envelope has the Apollo 11 seal on it, with all of the astronauts names across the bottom front, and all kinds of neat stamps and dates on it. My mom told me it might be valuable someday, so I put it in a photo album and left it alone until today. I am just wondering what I have. Thanks. |
eurospace
Member Posts: 2610
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 07-21-2009 02:07 PM
This is a simple First Day of Issue cover from the stamp commemorating the 1st Moon Landing. It was postmarked on the day this particular stamp was issued.It would be a very nice cover with a very nice cachet - were it not so creased. Alas, it was probably not stored appropriately and suffered from that. However, there are many of these covers on the market, and the commercial value is perhaps $2 or $3 each. Not that this is important - it is of sentimental value for anyone who lived when this historic event happened. Your uncle thought of you folks at that time, and that is what you should cherish about it. Jürgen |
cboggan
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posted 07-21-2009 03:03 PM
Thank you so much for the input! I think I will finally have to open it!
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spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-21-2009 03:53 PM
Looks like you (or the addressee) moved from the time it was addressed (mailed for postmarking) till the time it was delivered. There were nearly 10 million first day covers processed for this stamp so it took the post office department some time to get them all done.And, of course, you WILL let us know what is in it, right???? Thanks! |
cboggan
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posted 07-21-2009 04:01 PM
Absolutely - it will be a couple of weeks, because I am going on a vacation, but when I get back, I am going to go to my Dad's house & open it w/him. (He worked for Kodak @ NASA back then). |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2913
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-21-2009 04:51 PM
If you do open it, which I wouldn't advise, there might just be an insert filler card inside with no letter or note enclosure.The majority of postal covers mailed out like this were only for souvenir purposes. When the cachet envelope was purchased, your uncle was probably told to put some sort of filler card or "stuffing" inside it. Such "fillers" inside would provide better processing and handling by the postal service. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 07-21-2009 05:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ken Havekotte:
If you do open it, which I wouldn't advise, there might just be an insert filler card inside with no letter or note enclosure.
That's quite possibly true, but the "open carefully" note at the bottom of the cover seems to indicate there is something inside that is more than just an insert filler card. Since the cover is not very valuable and isn't in the greatest condition, it might be worth opening it carefully just to see if indeed there is anything inside. Perhaps it's a Neil Armstrong autograph.  |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2913
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-21-2009 08:00 PM
Yep, I'll agree with the above. I didn't realize there was a "Open Carefully" notation on the cover, besides, the value as indicated wouldn't be a main factor anyway. Go ahead -- open it and see what is inside after 40 years of being closed up! |
NAAmodel#240
Member Posts: 312
From: Boston, Mass.
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 07-22-2009 07:03 AM
The Neil Armstrong Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio issued a cachet similar to this. Since the Post Office Department cancelled envelopes for several months do members think this cover may have originated in Armstrong’s hometown? |
Joe Frasketi
Member Posts: 191
From: Florida USA
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 07-22-2009 02:15 PM
quote:
originally posted by Ken Havekotte:
open it and see what is inside after 40 years of being closed up!
If and when you do open the cover, use a pair of scissors and make a small even cut down the left side of the envelope, so as not to damage the cover or the contents. It will still be collectible this way, and a keepsake from your uncle.I too would be interested in knowing/seeing what is inside. |
Joe Frasketi
Member Posts: 191
From: Florida USA
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 07-22-2009 02:40 PM
This cachet submitted by cboggan is listed in the Monte Eiserman & Harry Anderson catalog of Apollo 11 First Day Cacheted Covers as cachet #202, it was originally listed as an unknown cachet, however in an updated edition it has been identified as a NASA Souvenir Shop cachet. |
randyc
Member Posts: 779
From: Chandler, AZ USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 07-22-2009 03:32 PM
I recommend that you 'slit open' the cover rather than cut it open, and use an X-acto knife. This technique won't damage the cover as much as cutting it open and also preserves the cover's collectibility. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2913
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-22-2009 03:38 PM
The above cachet illustration, that started this topic, is a NASA Exchange Council cachet cover from the Kennedy Space Center. It was their second design issue for man's first lunar landing, but this one, specifically was produced for the new first day of issue 10-cent airmail stamp in Sept. 1969. |
cboggan
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posted 07-22-2009 05:32 PM
Thank you all for your interest and information, I will carefully open it as you suggest. Although I WAS going to "steam" it open like Lucy (in "I Love Lucy") before I read all of this. Haha! Cyndi |
randyc
Member Posts: 779
From: Chandler, AZ USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 07-22-2009 06:20 PM
Actually, steaming it open is the best idea. That way, if it's done carefully, there should be no damage to the envelope. |
RMH
Member Posts: 577
From: Ohio
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-23-2009 01:49 PM
If you steam the envelope to much the stamp may come detached. |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 07-27-2009 08:11 PM
I vote for a careful slit down the left side of the cover.I have NEVER had any luck steaming anything (other than vegetables!). Of course, holding it up to a bright light first will tell you if there is something inside other than a blank filler card... but you probably already know that there is something inside. Ain't this fun! |
AstroAutos
Member Posts: 803
From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 07-27-2009 08:12 PM
Oh please open it, I can't take the suspense any longer... |
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