WTB - JFK (USA - Scott 1246) FDCs

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 03 Jan 2019 21:26

This arrived today:

Inside was a rather special JFK FDC, it is the very first John Ranto fdc ever made:

John Ranto was a prolific US First Day Cover collector and producer of a special line of his own hand made Postal Bulletin FDC's. He produced these covers starting in the 1964 and created them up to just a few years ago. These covers were created by hand folding US Postal Service Bulletins into a standard FDC size and then applying the current issue for the cover in addition to related combination stamps. He cleverly crafted these covers into mostly one-of-a-kind cachets or productions. In the beginning, Mr. Ranto created these covers for his personal collection, but as he enjoyed the process, he did start to create extras that he would trade or sell. Each of his covers is normally signed or initialed on the reverse side, and also coded, but not in every case.

He lived in Hamilton Township NJ & was an active member of the Hamilton Township Stamp Club as well as a Life Member of the American First Day Cover Society (AFDCS). Many of these covers are one-of-a-kind items, although typically he did prepare anywhere from 1-5 of an issue, using different combinations of stamps in many cases.

There are 5 basic types of Ranto Cachets:
1. Stamp issue FDC on the original bulletin for that specific issue
2. Stamp issue FDC on the original bulletin for a previous related topic issue
3. Stamp issue FDC on the photo copied bulletin for that specific issue
4. Stamp issue FDC on the photo copied bulletin for a previous related topic issue
5. Stamp issue FDC on other medium for that specific issue.

I note two things with this cover.

Firstly it had an address label on it, presumably addressed to John Ranto.

Secondly it has Horace D Westbrooks rubber stamp on the reverse & I can think of no plausible reason why it is there

I guess we will never know the answer to these queries.

Brad

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 09 May 2019 17:04

I have just completed showing you the 7 towns I have for Hawaii, I have quite a few more to find, even in the top 20 towns listed below:

Rank Name Population
1 Honolulu 337,256
2 East Honolulu 49,914
3 Pearl City 47,698
4 Hilo 43,263
5 Kailua 38,635
6 Waipahu 38,216
7 Kaneohe 34,597
8 Mililani Town 27,629
9 Kahului 26,337
10 Ewa Gentry 22,690
11 Mililani Mauka 21,039
12 Kihei 20,881
13 Makakilo 18,248
14 Wahiawa 17,821
15 Schofield Barracks 16,370
16 Wailuku 15,313
17 Kapolei 15,186
18 Ewa Beach 14,955
19 Royal Kunia 14,525
20 Halawa 14,014

The ones in red I have, can anyone help me out with the rest please

Brad

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 14 May 2019 00:26

I have just added a few more from Idaho but I still have a lot more to find:

1. Boise
2. Nampa
3. Meridian
4. Idaho Falls
5. Pocatello
6. Caldwell

7. Coeur d'Alene
8. Twin Falls.
9. Lewiston
10. Post Falls

Boise (in red) I have as fdc & while I have a prexie for Caldwell, I still need it as a fdc. So if someone(s) can help me with towns 2 to 10, I would greatly appreciate it.

Brad

Heatman714 · Post by **Heatman714** » 01 Dec 2019 07:59

I thought you may enjoy a look at a few JFK commemorative issues from some other countries? The small compilation and commentary includes a gem NH OG 1246 and a gem NH OG error 1287.

I will be happy to take a look through my FDC's and see if there's anything that can assist you in your quest as well.
I have a considerable amount of ephemeral material pertaining to JFK, Jacqueline Kennedy and MM as well. Unless of course your interest is strictly Philatelic.

Always willing to volunteer to help.
I was wondering if it would be o.k. if I inserted a link to this unusual piece from snapfish.com.
The rule seems pretty black and white. But it isn't hurting anyone to ask.
I have well over 4 thousand photos and scans on that site and find it to be a great, secure and dependable resource.

Rayray

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 01 Dec 2019 14:21

Heatman714

Thank you

If you could post the JFK Commemoratives from other countries on the thread linked below:

https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&p=5997737#p5997737

I think your NH OG 1246 & NHOG error 1287 deserve their own thread. If you were to add them to my JFK 1246 fdc collection thread I fear they would become lost.

Thank you for looking for some fdcs for my collection. If you post images of them on this thread please do not use IMGUR as it is against their terms of service.

Yes I am strictly philatelic with JFK & my horse racing collections, I am already thinking of buying the house next door.

Unfortunately The Sheriff here is very strict on links to other sites. Perhaps you could post images on the Board of the better items.

Brad

Heatman714 · Post by **Heatman714** » 04 Dec 2019 11:22

I was a bit excited when I saw your enthusiasm for JFK FDC's and think you will enjoy seeing this compilation of memorial to JFK.

I'm just giving a good read to the details regarding Image posting, sharing, etc. I did not feel the quality of the photo I took to be within my own standards, no less those of the board.

It was a framed item and sealed. So today when I returned home I removed the item from it's frame to get a good scan. It is going to be easier to store now anyway.

You have some great examples. Additionally I have some decent Horse Racing stamps I'll be happy to send at no charge.

Just give me a bit to sort out this photo posting confusion. I'm missing something, but I'll figure it out.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 01 Mar 2020 12:53

A recent acquisition from eBay USA. The question is when was this JFK stamp added to the cover

Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 01 Mar 2020 14:06

A recent letter from France or is that a French letter.

And inside was Aunty Norma Jeane with the Kennedy brothers:

Both postmarked in the Amish town of "Intercourse" Pennsylvania where the movie "Witness" was filmed.

Marilyn Monroe

Apparently the French have now banned kissing because of the coronavirus.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 24 Jun 2020 14:55

A remarkable auction on eBay finished last night.

Mayfair Stamps is a reputable eBayer, with a 100% feedback rating of over 29,000:

1964 JFK fdc - Scott #1246 not in Mellone - US FDC cachet catalogue.
Postmark Worlds Fair 4 bar cds hand cancel in violet.

Already having this fdc, in this format, I just threw in a small bid & went to bed.

To my surprise it sold for $US127.50, or $A184.93, plus postage & for Aussie buyers plus GST, making a total for an Aussie buyer $A210.60.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mayfairstamps-US-FDC-1964-New-York- ... EBIDX%3AIT

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 26 Jun 2020 12:21

Thanks to an email from ViccyVFU, I now know why this brought a big price:

This is my copy (note different position of postmark to the one above).

JFK's head is inverted

So expertly placed it doesn't show on the scan, but you can feel it when you touch the stamp.

So if do the "head" you may as well do the "eternal flame" as well.

I have emailed the eBay seller to advise her of the fake.

All I can say is watch for violet cancels from the Worlds Fair.

Thank you Tim.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 26 Jun 2020 18:05

I had a reply from Mayfair Stamps. They said they would advise the buyer.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 26 Jun 2020 18:07

All my examples in black are OK from the Worlds Fair:

Fleetwood cachet (Mellone #42) fdc for Worlds Fair stamp (Scott #1244) with Worlds Fair fdi machine cancel (April 22, 1964) & JFK stamp added (Scott #1246) & cancelled with the Worlds Fair 4 bar cds hand cancel on fdi (May 29, 1964).

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 01 Jul 2020 00:28

JFK Worlds Fair now relisted as a fake US$1.00

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mayfairstamps-US-FDC-1964-New-York- ... Swn5Ne6MTQ

Good work Mayfair Stamps, an eBay seller with integrity.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 06 Jul 2020 18:12

US FDC 1964 NY World's Fair JFK Fake Invert

Just to finalise this one, I see this re-auctioned cover has sold as a fake this time for US$18.21.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 06 Jul 2020 18:28

A recent acquisition:

JFK stamp (Scott #1246) Artcraft cachet (Mellone #4) unused

Overprinted on reverse for Atlas Chemical Industries Inc.

The first such cover I have seen unused. All other examples I have seen have been postmarked Boston Massachusetts fdc (machine cancel), type addressed to an Atlas customer with a promotional letter inside.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 08 Jul 2020 19:12

Some recent acquisitions:

1st cachet by AZUSA Chapter D.A.V. cachets (Mellone #21)

The key fdc for this cachet is the bottom one - Azusa, Calfornia

I think it was Jack Benny who said this town made everything from A to Z in the USA.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 25 Jul 2020 19:51

Some recent arrivals from Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

Included inside:

: JFK fdc unknown cachet (Mellone #164) postmarked Salisbury North Carolina

: JFK fdc YMCA Stamp Club cachet (Mellone #156) postmarked Suncook New Hampshire

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 25 Jul 2020 20:04

Some recent arrivals from Saint Petersburg, via Tampa, Florida:

Included inside:

: JFK fdc unknown cachet (not in Mellone) postmarked Orangeville, Pennsylvania,.

: JFk 30th Anniversary cover postmarked Dallas Texas 22nd November 1993

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 31 Jul 2020 00:49

I found these ones recently some placed where they should not have been:

: JFK 1964 (Scott 1246) Artmaster fdc (Mellone #5) with JFK 100th Birthday 2017 (Scott #5175)

: JFK 1964 (Scott 1246) CWC of Tonawandas NY fdc (Mellone #207) with JFK 100th Birthday 2017 (Scott #5175)

: JFK 1964 (Scott 1246) Unknown cachet fdc (Not in Mellone) with JFK 100th Birthday 2017 (Scott #5175)

: JFK 1964 (Scott 1246) Add on cachet fdc (possibly by Jerry Myers (Not in Mellone) with JFK 100th Birthday 2017 (Scott #5175)

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 31 Jul 2020 00:54

Another combo of a different type:

: JFK 1964 (Scott 1246) uncacheted fdc with Stars & Stripes 5c stamp & Cadillac Post of New Jersey local post cinderellas.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 06 Aug 2020 00:52

I rather like these Kolor Kover cachets. Kolor Kover fdc's began in 1948 & are distinguished by the coloured envelopes. Different colours are used for each issue.

: JFK Kolor Kover cachet fdc (Mellone #104) postmarked Boston fdi machine cancel 29th May 1964 to Granby Connecticut.

Interesting to note this cover is addressed to Granby Connecticut when most of the covers I have of this cachet for this issue are postmarked in the Granby area unlike this one.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 08 Aug 2020 18:51

From an eBayer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:

And inside a nice pair of JFK Scott #1246 fdc:

: JFK Scott #1246 Artcraft (Mellone #4) cachet postmarked Folsom PA March 29, 1964

: JFK Scott #1246 Artmaster (Mellone #6) cachet postmarked Folsom PA March 29, 1964

: Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues
Not to be confused with Folsom Prison which is in California.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 30 Aug 2020 23:25

I received a batch of JFK fdcs yesterday from an eBayer in New York:

Inside is one of my favourite JFK fdc cachets:

: JFK unknown cachet (Mellone #184) with block of 4 postmarked Boston Massachusetts fdi 29th May 1964

: Known only as Mellone #184, does anyone know who was the cachetmaker?

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 05 Sep 2020 20:08

A new arrival:

: Dual cancel JFK fdc - United Nations & World's Fair

An Artcraft cachet (Mellone #4) fdc cancelled with United Nations New York & World's Fair New York cancels on 29th May 1964:

The World's Fair was about 10 miles east of the United Nations Building in New York City, so not too hard to arrange.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 05 Sep 2020 21:11

Another recent arrival:

An Artcraft cachet (Mellone #4) fdc cancelled with Boston first day of issue machine cancel on 29th May 1964 with letter from Union Carbide enclosed as gift to important customers.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 13 Sep 2020 19:48

An arrival this week from New York City:

And inside:

: Part of larger group that are on their way from the Big Apple

: JFK unknown cachet (Mellone #184) - Walled Lake Michigan May 29, 1964

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 14 Sep 2020 20:58

An arrival from RogerE's friend in Wisconsin:

And inside a nice pair of fdcs from the Caroline Islands:

: Ponape

: Yap

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 21 Sep 2020 22:48

Some more recent arrivals from New York City but commercially used rather than fdcs:

And inside:

: Hudson Massachusetts

: Various Massachusetts towns

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 26 Sep 2020 11:09

I loved this spruik on eBay for this JFK item:

: US 1246 President John F Kennedy JFK Portrait Signature May 29 1964 Boston FDC

: JFK ebay auction

The description:

US 1246 President John Fitzgerald Kennedy JFK Official Portrait & Signature May 29 1964 Boston FDC Art Craft

With Authentic Reprint Signature

From the Commemorative Collection of Rare and Unusual, Creative Combination Covers
127mm x 177mm Approximate (5" x 7") Card in Very Fine Condition, with Protective Wax Sheet
Commemorate the president's first Birthday (47th) after his death
Unparalleled promise to billions, tragically cut short
A total of Only 2,003,096 First Day Cancellations struck of this issue, on the same day, in thousands of cities across the USA
99% of those are presumed to
be on addressed envelopes, or
sent through the mail, or
on blank envelopes, but mostly
lost (shredded, trashed, incinerated, washed, soiled, filled with hardware, inherited and unappreciated, etc, etc)
Very Rare Print on Card Stock by Art Craft
Includes the 35th president's most quoted - and since endangered - words:
"Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"
Reverse is blank
Clean, Fresh, and Unaddressed

https://www.ebay.com/itm/US-1246-President-John-F-Kennedy-JF ... %3A2334524

A little over priced I think for 'Authentic Reprint Signature & Only 2,003,096 First Day Cancellations'.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 26 Sep 2020 11:25

Covid 19 still pays havoc with my New York City purchases with this one arriving yesterday from mid-August (& still more to come):

And inside:

: Various Michigan towns

: Including JFK unknown cachet (Mellone #184) - Lathrup Village Michigan May 29, 1964

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 06 Oct 2020 10:50

From 'Viva Las Vegas':

And inside:

: Unknown cachet for JFK Scott #1246 5c stamp fdc, not in Mellone.

: Possibly a giveaway by a supplier to valued customers?

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 06 Oct 2020 11:20

I continue to be astounded by time taken for delivery from New York City:

You probably think a week from New York to Sydney & then a week to me in Melbourne is not bad, & it isn't, except this one was originally sent in mid July & returned unclaimed to New York in mid September.

: JFK Scott #1246 5c stamp fdc - Martin - Pre Border Craft cachet (Mellone #111)

: Batch of JFK fdcs from Michigan

I am also waiting for another batch sent in mid August that stil hasn't arrived in my P O Box.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 15 Oct 2020 10:19

From 'Viva Las Vegas':

And inside

: Bradley, Illinois

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 17 Oct 2020 21:03

Another batch arrived from New York City, taking nearly 2 months to do the journey:

And inside:

: Boerger ABC cachet JFK Fdc Scott #1246 (Mellone #30)

: Cancelled with cash register imprint from the Statler Hitler Boston Massachusetts on fdi

: An assortment of other JFK fdcs Scott #1246.

barryfe · Post by **barryfe** » 18 Oct 2020 07:17

Saw this and thought of you. "also group of USA FDCs, autographed by various contemporary politicians and Justices of the Supreme Court"

Cherrystone Auction 1120 Lot # 3178

LARGE LOTS AND COLLECTIONS - John F. Kennedy1964-67 selection of mostly errors and varieties, including Cameroun overprinted on top in English instead of French (six horizontal se-tenant pairs), Dahomey special presentation booklets (3), Philippines imperf. Block of four, right pair without name of country, perf. And imperf. Blocks of four with double and inverted overprints, also missing centers, 1965 Uruguay printed on both sides, Malta, Philippines inverted surcharge, color shifts, Dahomey imperf. Trial colors, souvenir sheet on thick paper, Austria, three engraved proofs by O.Wimmer, Argentina imperf. Block of four, Monaco imperf. Trial color strip of five, also block of eight, plus imperf. Deluxe sheetlet, various perf. And imperf. Sets from Trucial States and Independent French Africa, also group of USA FDCs, autographed by various contemporary politicians and Justices of the Supreme Court, etc., n.h., v.f. and scarce group, ex-Serebrakian

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 18 Oct 2020 09:48

Barry

Thank you, I will check it out.

Terry in Bangkok · Post by **Terry in Bangkok** » 28 Oct 2020 04:35

BigSaint wrote: ↑
21 Nov 2016 14:43
I have just shown the 3 fdcs I have for the Caroline Islands:

Koror
Ponape
Truk

Can some one confirm the names of the other post office on this Island Group that would have existed in 1964. I have seen a postmark from Yap from 1960 & suspect there would be another at Kosrae.

Am I correct with these & have I missed any.

Thank you

Brad

Hi BigSaint - confirm Kosrae, Ponape, Truk and Yap. Koror is the Republic of Palau.

BigSaint · Post by **BigSaint** » 28 Oct 2020 10:33

Hello Terry

Thank you for the confirmation of the Caroline Islands Post Office & the information on Palau.

With Koror, I take it things have changed since 1964. So Koror is in Palau now instead of Caroline Islands.