Posts: 917
From: Derbyshire UK
Registered: Mar 2023

posted 04-24-2026 06:16 AM               

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I'm just wondering, what do my fellow collectors do with pencil marks on the back of envelopes that they have purchased?

• Do you erase them?
  
• Do you leave them intact?
  
• Or, do you treat them on a case by case basis, and what are your parameters?

I'm in the latter category, although I tend towards the first option of erasing them... usually because most people's handwriting is appallingly ugly, and because the information is irrelevant, such as Lollini catalog numbers and prices paid/wanted.

If any information that I erase is relevant I reinstate it in a neater (pencil) handwriting. I also add (pencil) notes on the back for secret satellite launches identifying which KH number they are for instance.

Posts: 191
From: Kissimmee, FL USA
Registered: Aug 2010

posted 04-24-2026 03:13 PM               

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My opinion is that its always safe to just leave them alone. Doing anything to them runs the risk of damaging the cover itself. I will even leave pencil marks on the front of the cover to avoid any potential damage.

Also, I too will add notations in pencil on the back of the cover usually indicating the satellite or payload designation if the cachet does not give any indication or is not clear.