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Signed First Day Covers are they something the average autograph collector avoids?

After a few years of collecting first day covers I found that (for then) only a few pounds more I could collect the same covers signed by people like Ernie Wise, Ronnie Barker, Tom Baker etc. This not only made my hobby more interesting but also introduced me to a brand new one – autograph collecting.

Over the years I have added to this collection and now have approximately 3000 signed covers.

One of the advantages there is of collecting signed covers is that there are not so many forgeries around as there are on signed photos and therefore you do not need to be so careful unless you are buying a really expensive item (I read somewhere that Bobby Moore had signed more 1966 World Cup covers since he died then when he was alive). I was therefore really shocked when I started collecting signed photos and realised just how many forgeries were out there.

The one thing that has always puzzled me is, why signed first day covers always seem to be a lot cheaper than other autographed items. I can understand signed photo’s costing more but I have seen small pieces of card signed by celebrities selling for more than first day covers signed by the same person.

I would therefore like to ask autograph collectors in general (who are not also first day cover collectors) are signed first day covers something that you try to avoid buying, or do not mind buying. Any opinions or views would be welcome.

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Permalink Reply by Andre LeBlanc on July 28, 2012 at 5:36am

Permalink Reply by Andre LeBlanc on July 28, 2012 at 5:40am

I got a First Day Cover that I got Elton John to autograph at a concert.  He loved Diana and it's one of my favorite and few first day covers that I have.  I love to collect them. 

Permalink Reply by Brandon Mysinger on July 28, 2012 at 9:14am

I think they can be fantastic. For instance, the Johny Cash 1st day covers are awesome. There were also the Comic Book set that you could have the creators and artists sign ( or sketch on ).

This hobby allows for wonderfully creative ways to collect autographs.

1st day covers and Playbills are fun yet different ways to collect.

Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on July 28, 2012 at 11:38am

First day covers are popular in space and aviation due to a long history of postal covers being flown aboard flights, both aeronautic and space. There is a very strong association with the cachet content and those who sign.

Astronauts could not get life insurance, so it was common practice for them to sign a stack of "insurance covers" prior to a flight. The intent was the covers would be sold to benefit the families should the worst happen. To this day, insurance covers are highly desirable and valuable. For instance, an Apollo 11 insurance cover like this one would hammer in the neighborhood of $5,000.

That said, I think signed covers in other areas of celebrity are not as desirable, especially when there is a weak association. I also collect sports and some entertainment, and I really don't have an interest in postal cachets in those areas. I'd rather have a signed ball or photograph.

Different strokes for different folks.

Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on July 28, 2012 at 3:56pm

I sometimes scratch my head at the subject matter of postal covers and why they were sent to certain people. If you don't have something related, why not just send an index card?

Sending an indian chief cover to a jockey might take the cake for weirdest match. LOL

Permalink Reply by Mike Shepherd on July 28, 2012 at 3:26pm

I collect autographs.  I also collect memorabilia.  I believe that there is a difference between the two.  I understand that there is a lot of attention placed on the objects that the autographs are attached to but as an autograph collector I am happy to come away with a signature that is affordable and authentic.  If I could afford an Edgar Allan Poe signature on a paper napkin I would buy it immediately.  If you enjoy collecting first day covers and you are confident in the authenticity of your collection then continue to collect them.  If you are concerned about resale then you are in the wrong hobby.

I have collected the 1977 and 1978 New York Yankees.  I do not have a ball or a bat or a yearbook with all of their signatures on it.  Some signatures are on balls, some are on photos, some are on trading cards and a couple are on scrap pieces of paper.  I am confident in their authenticity and I have no desire of ever selling them.  Collect whatever makes you happy.  That includes the Elton John signature on the Princess Diana first day cover.  After all, he did change the lyrics of Candle in the Wind from “Goodbye Norma Jean” to “Goodbye England’s rose" when he sang it at her funeral.  The fact that it was an in-person autograph makes it even more special.

Permalink Reply by Stephen Soal on July 28, 2012 at 10:28pm

Thanks for all your replies to my question. I do agree with most of your comments and often wondered if I what I collected would have much appeal to anyone who did not have my interests.

I also agree that there are thousands of signed covers out there that have no link to the persons that have signed them, however what most of you seem to be missing is that there are also thousands of signed covers that do have a direct link between the autograph and the cover. These are the types of cover that I collect.

I give a few examples below:

This is a cover I originally purchased signed by Jon Pertwee, (Doctor Who number 3) and later at an event had the three ladies who played his companions sign - Caroline John, Katy Manning and Elizabeth Sladen. Tom Baker just happened to be standing behind me at the time so I got him to sign also.

My second example is a cover I obtained last week from the UACC dealer Buckingham Covers. Its a 40th Anniversary of the Moon Walk cover signed by Michael Collins, I would say that was quite a good combination!.

My third and last example is a Dam Busters cover signed by Richard Todd, who apart from having actually taken part in D Day, played Guy Gibson in the film the Dam Busters.

I know that none of these items will be of much interest to people who mainly collect autographs, but I just wanted to get over the point that there are many signed covers out there that do a have a direct link to the people signing them.

I like collecting signed covers (as well as photos) and will continue to do so. 

Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on July 29, 2012 at 5:53am
Those are very nice!
Permalink Reply by Bill Panagopulos on July 29, 2012 at 4:50pm

Yes, it really does depend on the significance of the signed to the theme of the cover. Joe DiMaggio on a "Celebrate Steel Manufacturing" cover is no big deal, but on a Babe Ruth cover, it's a lot more interesting. Also, remember that the date of cancellation of the cover is important for history buffs. Jimmy Doolittle signing on a fancy VJ day cover canceled the day Japan surrendered is a lot more desirable than him signing a cover on the 30th anniversary. 

Permalink Reply by www.TheCEAD.com on June 16, 2013 at 9:37am

I just started breaking up a neat collection of signed FDCs on my web site, www.ClassicEntertainmentAutographs.com.  The response suggests to me some people really do love them-- I'm falling in love with this sub-specialty, myself!  It's a REAL challenge!

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