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Author
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Topic: Space Cover 521: STS-51J Houston postmark
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Antoni RIGO
Member Posts: 176
From: Palma de Mallorca, Is. Baleares - SPAIN
Registered: Aug 2013
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posted 06-30-2019 11:30 AM
   
Space Cover of the Week, Week 521 (June 30, 2019)  Space Cover 521: STS-51J Houston postmarkMaiden space flight for Atlantis shuttle took place in October 3rd, 1985 for the mission STS-51J. Above cover was postmarked in that day in Houston with a hand round-cancel with format day/month/time slug/year. Nothing rare or special at the moment. However, below cover is identical in illustration but Houston postmark shows a very, very little difference. Cover postmarked too in Houston at the same date but with a different format day/month/number/year. What means the number 7 in this postmark?. First time I saw this postmark I thought that 7 was the 7 AM of the October 3, but the launch was not performed at 7 AM, neither UTC time nor local time. Furthermore 7 AM could not be the postmark hour because the Houston post office does not open so early. Maybe the number 7 is the day of the return? Or is just a coincidence?. If anyone knows, please share your comments here. Thanks.  |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2913
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-30-2019 11:41 AM
Without checking, the cachet maker may be a German space cover dealer (Fuchs) and the "7" in the 2nd postmark depicted is that of STS-51J's landing at EAFB, the first touchdown of Atlantis from space. |
Antoni RIGO
Member Posts: 176
From: Palma de Mallorca, Is. Baleares - SPAIN
Registered: Aug 2013
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posted 06-30-2019 02:35 PM
Many thanks Ken.It would be then, a postmark with two dates, 3rd and 7th October. |
eurospace
Member Posts: 2610
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 06-30-2019 11:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ken Havekotte:
Without checking, the cachet maker may be a German space cover dealer (Fuchs)...
That might just sound like the weird thinking of that dealer. Surprised there is no German space stamp being cancelled with a US postmarker on this one. |
Apollo-Soyuz
Member Posts: 1205
From: Shady Side, Md
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 07-03-2019 05:52 AM
The rate at the time of this flight was 22 cents but there is no additional postage affixed to the cover. |
Cozmosis22
Member Posts: 968
From: Texas * Earth
Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 07-03-2019 06:40 AM
The second example with the turquoise sailing ship stamp appears to be the embossed envelope printing of the 6-cents nonprofit postage titled "USS Constitution" that came out on May 3, 1985.Have never seen an official USPS postmark with two different dates on it. Two dates always get two different slugs on two different stamps. Something is not right with that cover. |
Antoni RIGO
Member Posts: 176
From: Palma de Mallorca, Is. Baleares - SPAIN
Registered: Aug 2013
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posted 07-03-2019 03:05 PM
John, I can confirm you that not additional postage is affixed on the backside of these covers.And definitively yes, there is something not right in the cover with "two dates." |
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