Unofficial Post Offiice Souvenir Page Type 6 / UNFOLDED ********************** Duke Ellington Scott Joplin Music
New York New York NY
April 29, 1986
PLEASE NOTE: THESE ITEMS ARE NOT THE COMMON USPS SOUVENIR PAGES THAT WERE SOLD BY SUBSCRIPTION FROM 1972 AND LATER.
This is a vintage Ranto FDC Souvenir Page, of which very few covers exist of any issue. Many of these FDC cachets may pre-date the 1972 issuance of "official souvenir pages", and as such, are rarely made or ever available on these Scott #'s. These are fairly scarce and many times exist only as one-of-a-kind or unique items.
There are 6 basic types of Ranto Cachet FDC Souvenir Pages that we will classify:
1. Stamp issue FDC on the original color bulletin for that specific issue ( Pre-1972 ).
2. Stamp issue FDC on the original color bulletin for that specific issue ( 1972 and later ).
3. Stamp issue FDC on the original color bulletin for a previous related topic issue ( Pre-1972 ).
4. Stamp issue FDC on the original color bulletin for a previous related topic issue ( 1972 and later ).
5. Stamp issue FDC on the black and white copied bulletin for that specific issue.
6. Stamp issue FDC on the black and white copied bulletin for a previous related topic issue.
INFORMATION BELOW ON HIS COVERS:
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 1960's 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 intialed on the reverse side, and also coded, but not in every case. I have known John personally since the early 1970's, as he lived in Hamilton Township NJ, local to our store. He was an active member of the Hamilton Township Stamp Club as well as a Life Member of the American First Day Cover Society (AFDCS). We are fortunate to have recently purchased his collection from his estate, and can now offer these personalized covers directly to the collecting public. Please realize that 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 Cachet FDC's that we will classify:
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***********
****** Most issues Ranto would use combinations stamps on the related cachet issues.
Many times Ranto would hand color on the photo copied issues (3 & 4 above) or even on the originals.
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SHIPPING POLICY - WE COMBINE SHIPPING!
Please request an invoice with combined shipping BEFORE PAYMENT and we will be happy to reduce your shipping costs accordingly. We encourage all of our bidders to look at our store and add to their orders to take advantage of our combined shipping policy. You may combine purchases up to one week.
****All items are packed carefully with cardboard to ensure that they arrive to you in the same condition they left our full service store and offices. WE USUALLY SHIP WITHIN 1 FULL BUSINESS DAY OF PAYMENT.
SHIPPING RATES
Domestic - 1-3 items first class parcel for $4 | 4-6 items first class parcel for $5.00 | 7 items and up will be sent in priority mail envelope for $7.50)
***** Some items that are odd shaped or heavier will have a different Standard Shipping price. These items will be subject to parcel rates at $3 or higher and will usually already be reflected in the listings shipping rate chart.
International - 1-6 items first class parcel for $11 | 7 items and up will be adjusted depending on weight and value. Parcel rates for international shipments start at $11. If these items are folded pages, they might be mailed folded in a smaller envelope, and we can refund some shipping costs. (Canada & Mexico subject to slightly lower rates in parcel cases)
***** All international shipments with a value of $60 USD and over will be sent by registered mail for safety. The cost for registered mail is $13.65 extra, added to the above shipping rates. A buyer can request a lower, first class only shipping rate, but the buyer will take full responsibility for the items shipped and any possible loss or damage through mailing
**** Shipments to Italy will be subject to our Registered Mail rule (as seen above) but at items values of $30 USD and over.
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- The Staff at Trenton Stamp & Coin