Collectable Covers & Postcards

Collectable covers are a fascinating and important part of philately and postal history. Watch as I explore different types of traditional and philatelic covers, as well as the interesting histories that they reveal.
I use the Lighthouse Vario stock pages to store my collection.

[@beckyhuschke2469]

Thank you so much! I inherited my dad's collection of stamps and covers and I was just about to put the covers on ebay because I didn't understand the significance of them. They are really interesting to look at and now that I've watched this and understand what I'm looking at a little better, I may just keep some of them now.

[@georgevasquez7356]

I also have stamp collection and like 23 cover envelopes which my son passed away n I have them now. And I am still storing the stamps in plastic binders as u have and I just want to sell my collection and I have a lot of stamps. I always watch n listen on your posts n the stories about the stamps are very interesting 👌. Thank u my friend!!

[@geayneverhees157]

I have had my Dad's stamp collection for many years. Because of your "Exploring Stamps" programs, I am enthusiastically going through all he has. What a treasure he has left! Thank you for your well done presentations. I plan to introduce the site to my son with hopes he'll want to take over the collection.

[@ExploringStamps]

So happy to hear that you are going through his collection and enjoying it! Comments like these really make the channel worth doing. Definitely introduce the hobby and these videos to your son, there is so much to be gained from philately 👍 - Graham

[@JonHowardPhotos]

This is precisely what is needed to keep this hobby alive. Getting young people involved. Kudos.

[@k.k.jalandra8741]

Explained in a vey lucid voice. I collect commercially used FDCs. Thank you so much.

[@clairedavis1333]

I never really understood the idea behind "covers" and why stamp collectors love them. This really changed my mind, thank you! (I am now on the hunt for military covers!)

[@ExploringStamps]

Neither did I, but after I teased the idea of soaking a cover on instagram I got significant backlash LOL, so I researched the concept of cover collecting and loved it so much that I made this video. Thanks for watching.

[@MuhammadShoaib-pi6mc]

Friendship with me in stamp collection exchange with u or ur friends.

[@nunyabiznez6381]

Most recent covers are to me not sufficiently interesting to retain and I usually remove the stamps. I make an exception if it is from someone famous, first day of issue covers and interesting cancels. I create occasional interesting covers myself. For example, in 1990 when I lived in Rhode Island, I visited the Slater Mill historic site in Pawtucket Rhode Island and I bought several post cards from Slater Mill with an image of Slater Mill on them. Then I went to the Pawtucket Rhode Island post office which was the first day of issue post office for the 200th statehood anniversary stamp for Rhode Island which featured a picture of Slater Mill and I bought a sheet of those stamps and kept the plate block for myself and then put one of the new stamps on each of those post cards and had some stamps left over. Each post card is of a different photo of the Mill and a few showed the interior and some weren't photos but rather very nice line drawings of Slater Mill. I had the clerk hand cancel every one with the First Day of Issue cancelation and he informed me that he had not had a single person come in with Slater Mill post cards for the first day of issue cancelations and that was the very last day in other words, I am the only person with any First Day of Issue covers consisting of an actual post card from the place featured on that stamp and I have 24 of them. My point is if you are going to make your own souvenir covers make them unique and interesting. When the "greetings from" series of stamps came out I bought several sheets and then went on eBay and bought a bunch of similar style vintage linen post cards from the 1940's and combined those to make souvenir covers. Most people have either plain First Day of Issue covers or ones made with #6 envelopes with a cachet made by a major publishers of cachets but I never do that. I always do something unique with mine.

[@sorendakari3519]

I guess Im asking randomly but does anyone know a tool to log back into an instagram account..? I somehow lost my account password. I would appreciate any tips you can give me

[@nathanaelcasen5964]

@Soren Dakari Instablaster :)

[@IIoveasl10]

Hן Graham. I do collect first covers. My grand mother and grand aunt were from Ukraine. I have "very old covers" from there. I really enjoy all of your explanations on these films, even though I allready most of it, or I can't afford the stamp...but it is very interesting. Thanks David

[@annsowers4591]

I love covers. I have every letter my husband wrote to me during Desert Storm. My favorite has to be of a US Military Field Hospital in Vietnam. I probably should separate my favorites because I have lots.

[@meganorser4162]

Excellent video! I recently inherited dozens of postcards dating from 1905 - 1969. It’s fascinating to read my family’s handwriting through the generations. They are so precious and I need to make sure they last for years to come. Thanks for the storage recommendations! 🤗

[@ExploringStamps]

That is awesome! A lot of modern history is preserved thanks to the exchange of letters and postcards, holding these messages from the past with relative's handwriting can be very special. Glad you found this episode helpful, thanks so much for watching 😊

[@postallyheidi5821]

Absolutely love the way you have some of your collection displayed in stockbook binders! Having the covers and related stamps all together just makes sense!

[@ExploringStamps]

😊 Thank you Heidi, its such a cool way to organize a collection, I love it!

[@williamcurtis4886]

Hello I am a stamp collector/ dealer in the United states, I just inherited my great great grandfathers stamp collection, with alot of covers thanks for you video

[@cefnscrivens3517]

covers bring history back to life i have just bought a mulready with a centenary 2 1/2 blue sent on 6th may 1940, if i last another 21 years i will put whatever the royal mail produce for the bicentenary on it and send it again. love your channel and your enthusiasm thanks

[@ericbond5276]

We need more younger collectors who appreciate history thru Philately. Kudos!

[@mikescollectiblemadness9498]

Amazing video and amazing channel and amazing job friend 😀😎👍

[@ericbond5276]

Years ago, I put a Jimi Hendrix stamp on an envelope with index cards in the envelope to make it sturdy. I addressed it to myself. I added the Austrian drug awareness stamp from 1972 on it too.

[@DCRose051156]

Thanks a bunch for the video. I just bought three separate FDC collections. Previously I've only collected single stamps for about 30 years. This was very informative and easy to follow.

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you Doug, I also was a single stamp collector until several viewers lured me into the world of covers and postal history items… now I love collecting it all and piecing together a story. Sounds like you have a fun FDC collection to work through, enjoy!

[@glennoppenheim3265]

I love this video. I have a lot of first day covers. I didn't realize there was general category of "cover". I have a bunch of those too and find them all interesting.

[@CharlenePBlair]

Enjoyed. I use covers to enhance my displays and exhibits. I store them in binders too. Just found out Cachetmaker Kendal Bevil made 4 issues - #10 envelopes just for the post office. They gave them to employees as gifts. On the hunt for two. :) I have Hattie McDaniel and Ella Fitzgerald.

[@ExploringStamps]

Oh I hope you find those two! Thats one thing that I did not mention, covers really make exhibits exciting, seeing the stamp in action adds value to an exhibit. PS. I have a soft spot for Ella, glad you got her as part of the 4 so far. :)

[@knut8062]

Rocket mail, or canoe mail is cool too. Also, pioneer flights and catapult mail are interesting.

[@phoebebaker1575]

❤❤❤Wow! I have never heard of canoe mail or catapult mail!

[@markanderson9061]

I have a very similar if not the exact red half size FDC album, picked it up over 40 years ago in England, never seen another like it. Great video!

[@ExploringStamps]

They are probably exactly the same...these red albums were given to me recently but were purchased around the same time and place, awesome! Thanks for watching Mark and I am glad you liked the video :)

[@DennisMorrison1955]

Now you are into the area I love! Enjoyed the video. It is still possible to get some very historic pieces affordably! Thanks again for the video!

[@ExploringStamps]

It sure is, even just going to a stamp show you can find some mind blowing stuff for reasonable prices. Thanks for watching Dennis :)

[@dwaynebagley173]

Another great video. I enjoy your work immensely. I had a friend pass on some covers to me that his dad had collected. Among a pile of Alfred E. Smith for President covers there was a cover marking the first autogiro flight from Philadelphia to Washington DC with a letter signed by Eddie Rickenbacher inside. Glad I took the time to work my way past all those Al Smith cachets.

[@johnhowe50]

As always an interesting piece on covers, I used to collect both FDCs and maxicards but gave up in the mid-90s as the number of issues increased and I was not prepared to shell out ever increasing amounts of money.

[@mokichino]

Thank you for posting this video! I have recently been introduced to First Day Covers from a friend's grandfather's FDC collection and started paying attention to the FDCs through USPS. You made it very clear and inspiring to hear about the history of different types of covers that I was unaware of as a part of history! Looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@sageslightbulbs7508]

I am new to stamp collecting. I inherited a sizable collection from generations of relatives, originating from a postal family. I immediately fell in love with the hobby and covers were a lovely surprise. I looked into getting them through the USPS but I found them to be rather expensive. Ebay seems to have no shortage so I think that I am just going to wait for the new covers to show up there. I have discovered something that is just as good: obtaining a post mark by mail. You can look this up online, as I did, but basically you send some envelopes in the mail with a nice little letter to the post master of the post office in question and he/she will send he back a hand cancelled cover. I have not gotten my first one back yet, but I think it is at the post office now. Great video!

[@claytonlee9570]

I collect covers, mostly Canadian ones, as well as stamps. Thanks for the video.

[@Ositored1]

Thank you so much for all you outstanding Information……I love And collect Stamps

[@LouisGedo]

I have a very neat passenger ship Bremen catapult plane cover.....one of my favorite covers I started servicing my own FDCs back around 1986 or so. I still do it on rare occasion......stamp issues that I find aesthetically pleasing or that commemorates something I find important.

[@LadyTomoyo1]

I am not a cover collector, but I do buy them when I really like the design. I love the clear sheets, I am going to look for them.

[@ExploringStamps]

I was very much the same way, I would get the occasional cover...especially if its the only way I could get a certain stamp. Yes definitely look for clear sheets, I really enjoy using them to display my nicer stamps and covers! Thanks for watching as always :)

[@phils473]

Another great video! As most always, I learned a few things. I love covers too, just need to get them organized

[@ExploringStamps]

Glad you enjoyed the video Phil, thanks for the support :) Go get those covers organized!

[@garyholdener2470]

Thanks Graham for a wonderful video. Loved they way you presented the different categories of covers. I've collected some covers and love the history behind each. I have collected covers with stamps related to WWI where we visited the Centenary of Passchendaele, Ypres, Belgium, and Flander's fields. Also collected many FDCs from United Nations. And I have one with an 1857 1cent Franklin on a cover with a Buffalo N.Y. circular date cancel of February 27, 1859 mailed and delivered within the city purchased from the APS. As always keep up your incredible work and contribution to philately.

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you Gary, it sounds like you have a pretty impressive covers collection. The military covers always impress me. Thank you for watching and supporting my channel :)

[@mareknosek996]

Again.... you always have the flow and control in your posts. Great content and keep your amazing work on this channel.

[@barbaraengro2130]

I actually sell postcards and have come across some beautiful covers. I would like to learn more about them. Thank you for posting this video

[@lucatoscani1525]

Never thought about using gloves. It seems like a good idea. I also collect covers of particular history significance. Just to make an example I have one cover sent from Argentina to The falkland Islands during argentine occupation in 1982 when The islands name were known as malvinas. When the cover arrived the islands had been taken over again by the British and they returned it to sender with the British postmark lol... Found it in a flea market in buenos Aires, bought it instantly. I have other interesting ones. I also collect covers & postcards from all over the world and I have sent them to myself during my travels

[@ExploringStamps]

Wow, that is a really interesting cover, great find!! I don't recall ever seeing philatelic exhibits with a focus on the Falkland war, your cover would be the prize item of the display for sure. I have also started sending covers back to myself during travels, it gives me something to look forward to when I return from the trip. Thanks for watching Luca.

[@des670]

Once again, great work! Your video on covers is very informative. I collect space covers and stamps. One special cover that I have, though quite common, is a cover that was flown on the USA Space Shuttle Challenger STS-8.

[@ExploringStamps]

That's interesting! Covers flown into space and associated with a particular mission are very cool! I guess its like a commemorative event cover which I did not include in this video. Thanks for watching Desmond! :)

[@navyveteran145]

Thank you for a very interesting video. Helped me to further understand another way of collecting.

[@1947drdr]

Another fine production. These knowledge-filled and entertaining videos are superbly done. Thank you.

[@my171]

I collect FDC’s! Love them! I particularly love caches with maps!! The one you showed with Cali map is now on my “look-out-for” list. Sadly, I’ve only acquired a few FDCs on my own (at the Stamp Expo that was in Riverside, CA on February 14, 2015; vintage flowers)...”sadly” meaning that I wish I could attend more stamp expos all over the USA and acquire more FDC’s in person. I have prepped envelopes and sent out for many FDC’s. It’s always a joy to have the returned with the cancellations. I’ve even prepped some envelopes for friends and they were “returned” to those friends because of the address I printed on them. Here’s to growing our collections more! :D

[@steveradell859]

I was at that Riverside show :-) Keep an eye out for SESCAL (usually October, except covid) there are other local shows and some clubs, PSLA (Philatelic Society of Los Angeles) is even meeting via zoom now, and in person

[@ktwalsh4868]

I collect OFDC here in Canada. They are a lovely way to present and showcase the different stamp releases, and the creative work that goes into the production

[@gemcitygeek8495]

I’ve collected covers for a little while now. I just love FDCs. I think my second favorite area, likely tied with First Flight covers are event covers. I have a number from large stamp shows and other events. I also know people who collect “Last Day Of Sale”, and similar covers. Keep up the great work, I just love your videos!

[@ExploringStamps]

Excellent! Event covers is another great one that I did not mention, I have a small collection of those..., but I haven't heard of 'last day of sale' covers, thats interesting! Glad you like the videos Jared, thanks for watching!

[@jackiemoore8332]

Enjoyed viewing several of your videos! Excellent presentations and chock- full of interesting information. Keep up the stellar work! Best Regards, Randy Moore, SR., LM USCPS, APS.

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you Randy, glad you found the channel and enjoying the videos :)

[@dr.johnandyvonnewagner5067]

Enjoyed the video. I collect Space and Olympic stamps. I add FDC when I can to complement the single stamp. Even more desirable to me is a FDC with a pictorial cancellation that ties the cache, the stamp, and the postmark together.

[@ears068]

My latest philatelic interest has been collecting covers and cards from defunct post offices in my state. Incidentally, we show your videos as a Plan B when a presenter is unable to make it to a stamp club meeting or when we've seen all of APS's DVDs.

[@ExploringStamps]

Ah that’s an interesting focus, Covers from defunct post offices sounds like a pretty cool challenge. Glad my videos come in handy Joe, thanks for watching 🙂

[@ericalynn8929]

Great video as usual, I have a few covers and they are stored in folders with stock book pages like yours.

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you Erica, the stock book page option allows you to organize it easily and add pages if necessary, glad you liked it and thanks for watching :)

[@dog-so1vj]

Great video as always. Thanks 😊

[@ferniea5827]

Another grate video! I cant wait for the next one. Thank you!

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you, and thanks for watching :)

[@rbullmb]

Perhaps you could do a follow up to this video about those who make their own First Day Covers. Thanks to your video I am now into making my own FDC covers.

[@susannahedwards8230]

I re found my old childhood collection after queens death. Over the years when I though about it I'd still buy FDC on big events or if I saw them. So I have quite a few and I'm thinking now I'd like to re start collecting and mainly buying covers. This video was helpful thankyou. Thing for me I currently like is its very easy to date the stamp as date is right on the cancellation. For me being a amator collector I find ageing other stamps in my collection harder.

[@feiereisen23]

3:18 min. On the postcard is written: "Heuberg, 19.11.1915 My dear sweetheart! I received the package. Thank you very much. I hope you are all alert as I am. Send greetings, the last greeting from here. Write you a letter of Müllheim equal." Additional information: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heuberg_Training_Area

[@ExploringStamps]

Whoa! Thank you!!! I couldn't make out one squiggle from the other, I think its Sutterlin script? (someone else mentioned it). Very impressive, thank you and I am printing this out to add to the album.

[@estland2768]

This is amazing! Thanks. Greetings from Estonia.

[@lisandroif]

Thanks to this video, I got my first Graf zeppelin cover. Thanks Graham

[@aetnat0k1y0]

You left out ship covers, funeral covers... just off the top of my head. Great presentation! :-)

[@catalinaveeger35]

This is amazing!! I found a cover of a man to his family during WW2 and it has a stamp of hitl*r and it’s so dope even though I can’t speak or read German it’s really personal and amazing to collect, keep up the good work!

[@ExploringStamps]

It IS amazing to collect! Items like your cover are special, they have important history tied to them. Glad you enjoyed the video :D

[@paperjourni8964]

Probably better to reframe that. It is dope to find a Hitler stamp? That is not the best way to say it...

[@afeeser]

I do collect covers (and stamps). I didn't know they were called covers. Thank you for this video.

[@ExploringStamps]

You are very welcome! :) Thanks for watching!

[@earlsandra1191]

I THINK U are terrific,giving us, who no nothing about stamps ,all of this wonderful instructive info. BRAVO!

[@jackiemartin978]

Thank you for this video. It's very interesting and I love the accent!!! Not to mention you are very handsome and that definitely works for me.. have a great day and thanks again for sharing.

[@salamandar6691]

I love your videos!!

[@ExploringStamps]

:D thank you! and thank you for watching!

[@stephanebelizaire3627]

Very Informative, Bravo !

[@williambarrett7108]

I have quit a few first day covers. I bought them at a flee market. I never thought much about them because they seemed to me to be fodder for collectors, but I do enjoy them. they show the stamp almost in action as it were. I would really like to find some real covers first day of issue that were sent for a reason. I am really enjoying your exploring stamps !! I hope you can continue with your content .

[@g.k.chauhansr.chemistctpp4327]

As a philatelist I prefer cover collection, stamps are meant to be use on covers so I always prefer my thematic collection stamps on commercial used covers which are difficult than collecting mint stamp . Mint we can buy even after 50 years later but stamps set on real circulated covers are always hard to find and costly also . I have nearly 190 countries covers addressed to me and its really interesting stuff to enjoy collection of such different kind of covers.

[@ExploringStamps]

That is very true. A cover locks a stamp in time, adding so much more to the story about the stamp and making it unique. It must have been a very enjoyable collection to build, well done!! :D

[@aijaheloisepince5306]

I love the idea of mixing stamps with covers/postcards as it gives context to the whole story. I am concentrating on Latvia between the wars and hopefully to tell a full... can it ever be complete? Story? Thanks for your podcasts.

[@shellacandvinylarchive3370]

Fascinating - thank you. I have been collecting worldwide covers for a few years now. I keep them in themed albums (British covers mostly) or in sleeves stored A-Z by country. I prefer ones that feature wildlife, vehicles, space travel and events that can be stored according to subject.

[@howdyhi99]

I have some covers, but I never knew what to do with them. Thank you for making this video. Now I have a plan of action. I like the idea of putting them in albums. Those zepplin covers and the Akron cover are interesting. Did you know that the akron had a sister air ship called the Macon? The Macon also crashed in the ocean here in my area in the 30's. Thanks for posting this video!

[@ExploringStamps]

Oh man really? Every Zeppelin story seems to end in a disaster. I may have to explore this subject further at some point ;) Glad you found the video helpful, get those covers into albums! Thanks for watching

[@Pridegriffin]

Cool presentation! I've been collecting stamps since I was 8 yrs old(61 now) when I bought an old stamp book where the owner had glued in many of the stamps over the stamp picture. Don't know why I started so young or what interested me about that one book; but, ever since that moment, I was a goner for being in love with stamps. I have 4 albums. homemade, of course. I used to have a very expensive stamp(for me anyway) WORTH OVER $800! After coming home from Desert Storm activation, I got out my stamps and started cataloging them. I put a couple on the table. Then, I decided I had to get me a drink of water. While I was gone to sink, my precious lil Himalayan kitty jumped up on my table and licked up my expensive stamp. It was curled up on her tongue and there was nothing to do but pitch it in the trash. I cried a bit. Apparently while I was gone, my hubby let her jump up on table while he read the morning paper and she made a game of busting through the paper and chewing on pencils he laid on the table. I quickly broke her of that awful habit by spraying her with a water bottle a couple times and hissing at her and saying "no!" Could never break her from chewing on pencils though.

[@ExploringStamps]

Oh no! such a tragedy, I hope you were able to forgive your cat. I would have also cried :(

[@Pridegriffin]

@@ExploringStamps oh , she was my sweetie pie kitty! I love every cat. She was the most beautiful Himalayan. I'm so partial to them, but, the way things have worked out over 35 yrs., she is the ONLY Himalayan I've owned. I wanted to get one this year after my beloved Cleopatra died, but, I had the chance to rescue a cat from a cat shelter that needed adopting. Her name is Rusty. And she loves me. very affectionate. But, she loves men. She is a whore-dog cat who absolutely adores every male that she meets. My nephews friends just think she is an amazing cat. She seems to make each male think He is amazing as a cat would adore him so much. Its funny and embarrassing at times.

[@jasont659]

Catching up on your older videos. I enjoy very specific covers myself. But interesting thing I've learned from my inherited collection parts and other collectors is covers during WWII. With stamp collecting growing strong during that time period before the war, then all these collectors going off to fight, there were methods of signing up for services that they would automatically send you the cover with your address. These then would be collected by the family and when they soldiers returned would have all the stamps and not missed any during deployment. I have a nice full collection of covers from this time period due to this type of service. It most likely is also one reason the covers from that period don't go for much and most stamp shops have over abundance of them. I've learned from former collectors (including my grandpa) of this service, but so far have failed really finding much information on it. Sadly with that generation getting older, I've gotten less information or even leads on it to learn more on how it worked.

[@shameemali9046]

nice video 😍😎 good collection 👍

[@santinoqueddeng6149]

actually, if ever i see a first day cover hanging around the local post office of my city- i'd freak out and run to that first day cover as fast as i can then i buy it. but buying a first day cover in my local post office is actually expensive i just- well, save my money for a stamp but if there are no first day covers- i'd just by the stamp (which is cheaper that of the first day cover version) but i thank you for creating videos like this! you are an awesome youtuber (and a stamp collector!!)! HOPE THAT YOUR COLLECTION CAN BE PRESERVED! I AM ALSO A STAMP COLLECTOR! THANK YOU!

[@janewilson9137]

How can I find interested buyers, of covers cleaned out a home and told family we found them the said to keep them so looking for collecters.

[@heatherlynn4469]

I love the artwork of covers, and the obviousness of the first day issue I think is fun! I’ve been wondering how to store them so I’m also able to look at them easily. Do you have a link to the album you showed at the end, or a site I could purchase? Loved the video!!

[@willardtaylor6249]

Thank you for your video about stamp covers. Stamp covers can tell you a lot, particularly when letters are preserved with them. In the summer of 1909, after graduating from school in Pennsylvania, my grandfather worked on a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. I would have known nothing about this except for a cover which I have in my collection which bears US Scott 730. This cover was sent to him in care of the family he was with at Wilcox, Sk, Canada. I also have a confirmation letter from The Erie & Western Transportation Co. assigning him to a steamship set to sail from Buffalo June 30,1909 going to Duluth. At one point, my uncle gave me some old photographs which he had no idea what they were. They turned out to be pictures of grandfather’s trip to Canada in 1909. The only way I could make any sense of the pictures and the confirmation letter was because of the cover bearing US 730 ,I had in my collection, that was sent to my grandfather while in Canada, July 13, 1909.

[@albertroza]

great work avenue

[@hamoostaffat]

This is why when my great grandad died and I found some letters he sent home from the war into sleeves, one day I'll pass them on with all the rest and hope they get added to, trouble with collecting things, none of us will ever really see them completed, but somehow, knowing my effort will one day become part of something far bigger than I can imagine of is comforting ✌

[@christinebravomom5711]

Re: damaged covers ... Wish I'd known this years ago when a high school friend who never replied to a college letter from me saw me at a hometown summer party and showed me the letter, which he had finally received. It was badly burned and marked with the date and place of the post office where the fire had happened! I would LOVE to have that in my collection!

[@jeffreysfinds7474]

What a joy it is 2 Listen to Somebody talk while you're trying to watch the video it's so enjoyable and I don't know how you did it how did you know that I love that music you played

[@sarahgoodman6279]

I collect Day of Issue Canadian covers. So far I have only added covers from the last 10 years but I hope to continue collecting older ones!

[@petercollingwood522]

Glad I stumbled on this video even if four years late. I have started collecting quite a few covers from Old SA, and the pre Union colonies and republics. And pre-printed postal stationary from old colonial Natal. And I noticed you have quite a substantial collection of Namibia material there too. I''m also getting into that myself now. And I also have a fascination for the WW1 and earlier military mail. I have several WW1 Field post cards, mostly from the Austro Hungarian Empire. I also have a couple of Feldpost Karte from Deutsch Sud West from 1906. I'm really interested in the card you showed from 1915 which you said you couldnt make out. I have managd to decipher and translate a card from DSW in 1906, and am working on a second. Also I ahve managed to decipher and translate a 7 page letter from Germany in 1923 during the height of the Weimar Republic Hyperinflation which is written on the back of Weimar bank notes. The nominal values are in the hundreds of millions of marks but he paper is so worthless in this case it was used to write a letter on. To me being able to decipher the old cursive script and read long dead thoughts is as interesting as the physical properties of the material itself. I think it would be very interesting to subject your 1915 card to such a procedure.

[@seye8eyes]

I would like to know more about the black seal on an envelope of early days when there was no stamps but stamped by the express mailing station . As you are a very good master of information regarding Philatelist

[@williamabraham6109]

Hi Dont collect covers but have bought a few postcards on my international travels. I was working in Tallin, Estonia and got some interesting early postcards sent to the area from the South of France/Monaco as well as from the US and Canada. Dont really collect them but I do like the presentation. One in particular with the stamp on the picture side and a beautiful cancellation and notice/advertisement. Like the idea of having a collection in loose pages and then if there are some covers they can be "mixed in".

[@olivermiller2013]

I have quite a lot different first day covers and maxi cards from several countries. But I like old covers way more from the beginnings up to around 1950. I like old greek stamps (large Hermes heads) and on covers they look very nice. I have a combination between an Austrian and a Greek stamp on a cover from around 1865. This happened from time to time to pay for the last way in Greece when the letter arrived at the border or vice versa in Austria and other countries. I also have a lot of astronautic covers from USA and Russia. I really like that. And also I own a lot of old covers from Bavaria (1800 - 1920) where I come from. If you look at them they are so different from today. Covers are really interesting items, same as stamps.

[@TheStampBox]

I got the collecting bug a short while ago, and am particularly keen on early US first flight covers, especially those that show the AM and CAM air routes. But could you also do a clip on naval covers, as they seem quite interesting also.

[@ExploringStamps]

I would LOVE to discuss naval covers at some point, a very interesting element of postal history that would probably make for a fun video.

[@CourtneyMakesVideo]

Oh no. Now I'm going to spend hours watching this channel. I guess I can accomplish my tasks tomorrow. 😂

[@ExploringStamps]

Lol Courtney! Let those tasks be tomorrow’s problem, glad the channel can provide a distraction 😁. Thanks for watching!!

[@MuhammadShoaib-pi6mc]

Hi friend I'm pakistani stamps collection ur friendship with me.

[@PHILIPWATSON82]

Whoever made the music deserves everything.

[@ExploringStamps]

Did you find the song? It’s called “after all” by geography 🎶

[@PHILIPWATSON82]

Exploring Stamps thanks yeah I used Shazam only problem is I can't buy it on iTunes or sound cloud :( so I'm going to buy some software to convert it to MP3 ps I'm rubbish with computers. :)

[@earlofdrumer1851]

I recently found out about this collectable hobby and as someone who just loves the chase of collecting things, First Day Covers are an excellent opportunity to acquire intersting, unique and historically relevant content for very little cost. Of course I have to try and rein myself in, the amount of FDC's and collectable mini-sheets can seem overwhelming at first, or seem overly enticing. Having a set goal of specifics in mind (and clearly sticking to these principles) should stop you going overboard on any and every cover that takes your eye. I'm looking for former UK colonies FDC's of Rhodesia and Bechuanaland.

[@dondouglass6415]

Great video.... Huzzah!! 😊

[@ExploringStamps]

Thank you 😁

[@SmokyTheChain]

My first purchase of a First Day Cover was through Canada Post, for a stamp of a caricature that I love; but after watching your video about the Apollo 15 scandal, I purchased a Cover that flew on Space Shuttle Challenger :-)) I haven't received it yet actually; from my still limited experience, there's a big difference between seeing a picture of a stamp on a screen and seeing it with your own eyes, so I'm eager to receive it hehe.

[@dudemakingtracks]

I have had a brief glance through my mothers' First Day Covers collection, searched youtube and behold, yours was the first site I opened. It looks like most of her stuff is South African and Zimbabwean. Generally between early eightees and late ninetees. My next search would be for any type of catalogues which may be out there showing covers printed through those years. I am not a collector and would be wanting to sell her collection. In total about 7kg worth in weight. Thanks.

[@StacyDeLaO]

Thanks so much for your videos. Do you have any recommendations or recommended resources for cleaning turn of the century fairly damaged postcards?

[@bodhisattyaguha8836]

I have just started collecting covers. But don't have a place to store them. Now I am looking forward to get a cover album soon

[@ExploringStamps]

Awesome, I also just started to collect covers and thats why I made the video. It adds a whole new dimension to the hobby :)

[@sysygy100]

@@ExploringStamps I keep mine in a laundry soap box. I find some of those albums awfully expensive!

[@claylapari8403]

New to your videos and to the hobby. The thing that caught my eye first were Maximum Postcards. Have you done a video on those? I find them fascinating. Keep up the incredible work and thank you!

[@ExploringStamps]

I love Maxi Cards! I do discuss them briefly in the video about Cricket Stamps: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGq2n6WDp8iLadU

[@martakaroly9685]

@@ExploringStamps how is it possible to get in touch with you?

[@tnghs6873]

Thanks for your videos: While searching for proper “accommodation” for my stamps and FDC, I accidentally stumbled upon your programme. Some of my FDCs have brown spots, age marks etc. So unsightly, due to poor storage (I think.) as I live in a very humid country. 1 degree north of the equator. I collect presentation packs now as the stamps seem to be better preserved. Would be helpful if you could advise me what sort of FDC albums I should purchase to “protect” my remaining covers. The first time I heard about the glassine envelopes from your video, I immediately got some, however , I was not able to find glassine envelopes for my first day covers etc. I am now.searching for All your videos, need to watch them slowly, starting from the first episode. Thanks for your programmes, love them.

[@scotttucker8273]

Very good information enjoyed your videos

[@ExploringStamps]

Thanks Scott, glad you enjoy the videos :)

[@georgevasquez7356]

I have stamped envelopes from 1800ts n there is good stories in them..

[@siam1883]

Every stamp tells a story and you could write a book about some of your covers - especially the lightly fricasseed one. Superb job of making a complex philatelic issue tangible and useful. FDR collected thousands of covers and I'm always on the search for covers addressed to the White House or the State Department during President Roosevelt's time in office.

[@ExploringStamps]

Oh wow, finding any cover addressed to the white house would be something, an FDR era cover would be epic! I didnt know that he also collected covers, I will also keep a look out. :)

[@naningvalenciano917]

I have a lot of those 1933 and 1889

[@cristian7051]

can you make a video showing all the stamps and covers you have in that album? hope you will

[@peterdeserres7999]

Recently received covers that entail the Harding Administration and the wealthy Harding family of NYC from the early 1900’s as well as postcards signed off by Frick family members Helen and Childs. Very interesting 🧐.

[@Death_From_Below]

I have started a collection of machine cancel from my state.

[@Antonio-bf2pc]

Bob, I just started one from California. Good luck.

[@Ms21101953]

Very nice compilation and narration Dr.S Sarup INDIA

[@jacquelinejournals]

Would love to know more on how to make my own cover. I am gonna do a road trip to collect post marks from small local towns

[@ExploringStamps]

That sounds exciting! You can learn more about the creating, preserving and cancelling covers from the American First Day Covers Society, while they focus on FDCs, there is lots to learned about covers in general from them: www.afdcs.org/learnaboutfdcs.html

[@aaronfelixcolosio2065]

K

[@BrandyTexas214]

I just inherited a whole postcard/card collection that belonged to my great grandpas mom.. they’re from early 1900’s mostly almost all of them went through the mail and have stamps

[@Lokesvararaja]

I stopped collecting stamps when the post office in my country started to let anyone create their own stamps with any picture or photo. At that time I suddenly felt like there was no value anymore in collecting stamps. Until recently I stumbled upon ur video, I started to look at Phillately world again. Hearing about the same thing happen with the Cover really saddened me.

[@brandonreinventshimself]

Covers are one of the things I collect. Generally I will take the appropriate envelope, add stamp, and either walk into a post office or mail to the postmaster requesting a cancel. I've earned the postmark of every post office in the county I am from, plus USS Enterprise CVN-65 just before she was decommissioned. I will also attempt to get the special pictoral postmarks if they catch my eye. I am planning on making a cachet with the picture that I took of a JN-4 Jenny in flight and the inverted Jenny re-issue, as I know the mechanic who worked on that plane.

[@anjanmishra1980]

now i started collecting covers cuz of this vid thanks for the info

[@hobbiescentrale7105]

Covers have so much more character than an individual stamp...