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Author
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Topic: STS-8 flown USPS covers
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uzzi69
Member Posts: 181
From: Richmond, IN USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 06-24-2002 07:40 PM
   
I recently purchased my first space cover, a great looking STS-8 flown flight cover. It comes with a nice presentation folder that explains the cancellations... one for the launch and one for the landing. It also has a NASA 25th Anniversary stamp that reads "Space Mail / orbited via STS-8"The folder explains this was a collective effort of the United States Postal Service and NASA. The item is numbered. I was wondering if anyone knew any more about this cover, like how many were originally flown and the original price from the USPS? Also would it lower the value of this cover to have any of the crew sign it, or would they? Any other info would be greatly appreciated. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-24-2002 09:28 PM
From SpacePhilatelics.com: - The United States Postal Service(USPS) and NASA planned to fly 500,000 covers on the Space Shuttle during the STS-8 mission.
- All covers are identical and were serially numbered on the reverse of the cover.
- Covers numbered 0 through 1,000, which were carried in the crew cabin, was retained by the USPS for official display and presentation purposes. The cover numbered 0 had a cylinder die proof of the $9.35 Express Mail stamp and is on display in the USPS postal museum.
- Some covers within the 0 to 261,899 serial numbers range were not flown. In addition, some covers with serial numbers higher than 261,900 were flown.
- Of the 500,000 covers produced, only 261,900 were flown on STS-8.
- 2,523 covers were damaged during the flight. The damaged covers, along with the remaining unflown covers were destroyed.
- The covers were presented in a commemorative folder for $15.35 each with a one per person limit. The sale began shortly after the landing of STS-8. The one per person limit was lifted on Oct. 5, 1983. The USPS reported a sell out of the covers in the middle of Nov. 1983.
- There was a misconception that these covers were of limited quantities. 259,377 flown covers exist.
Regarding the crew signing -- its been reported the crew had an agreement to never sign any cover outside a small subset of the 1000 carried on the middeck. That said, I know of several of the crew members who have signed the STS-8 covers (but have yet to see a completed piece). |
The Dish
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 06-25-2002 06:44 AM
Seeing as the unflown covers were destroyed, does that mean we can be sure that all covers offered for sale are flown covers? |
uzzi69
Member Posts: 181
From: Richmond, IN USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 06-26-2002 10:06 PM
I was thinking about sending the cover to Guion Bluford, or maybe Richard Truly, but I have decided not to get it signed. It's a great piece on it's own. |
CPCM
Member Posts: 46
From: Spring, Texas, USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 02-10-2008 11:19 AM
I am fairly new to collecting flown items, but want to start a collection with minimal funds. I would like to know what people think about these as a collectible. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-10-2008 11:26 AM
quote:
Originally posted by The Dish:
Seeing as the unflown covers were destroyed, does that mean we can be sure that all covers offered for sale are flown covers?
That would be my understanding: all covers sold were flown. quote:
Originally posted by CPCM:
I would like to know what people think about these as a collectible.
I think they are a great collectible, especially for someone just beginning in the hobby. Their provenance is very well documented, they crossover two popular areas of space collecting (philatelics and flown artifacts), and they remain reasonably affordable nearly 25 years later (their 25th anniversary will be marked in August of this year). A great follow-up item would be the STS-68 flown stamp and its cachet. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 02-10-2008 05:11 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Regarding the crew signing -- its been reported the crew had an agreement to never sign any cover outside a small subset of the 1000 carried on the middeck. That said, I know of several of the crew members who have signed the STS-8 covers (but have yet to see a completed piece).
One of the crew members signed my cover (purchased from Robert) at the "Evening with the Astronauts" at Rocket Town (2004 or 2005?) benefiting the Association of Space Explorers. |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 02-11-2008 08:25 AM
Richard Truly signed my cover, in person, and didn't seem to have any problems doing so... |
Apollo-Soyuz
Member Posts: 1205
From: Shady Side, Md
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 02-11-2008 10:15 AM
Dr. Bill Thorton has refused to sign the flown covers. He stated that NASA never responded to his request to rescind the prohibition that the crew could not sign the flown covers. He will sign any other types of STS-8 covers. A scan of this cover is shown.  ------------------
John Macco
Vice President
Space Unit
Shady Side, Md. |
Apollo-Soyuz
Member Posts: 1205
From: Shady Side, Md
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 02-11-2008 10:36 AM
A list of all the serial numbers of the unflown covers was made available but this list is no guarantee as covers sold as flown have been listed on the unflown list. |
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