Post by jamesw on Sept 10, 2017 2:22:39 GMT
Found this little item at a bourse today in Toronto. This American cover has two postmarks, two 3¢ Jefferson prexxies, and a picture of William O. Douglas, US Supreme Court Justice. In fact the longest serving Justice, from 1939 to 1975. Mr Justice Douglas lived from 1898 to 1980.
What is interesting is the postmark on the right is from Douglas Ill, while the one on the left is from William - no state. You see what I see, right?
So the cancels are his name. The cancel on the right from Douglas Ill, is dated March 28 1950, while William is dated April 2 1950.
The William cancel is hand drawn, and appears to be placed to match the four bar cancel on the prexxie next to it. Note that cancel does NOT tie the stamp to the cover.
So that cancel and stamp, and probably the photo of Mr Justice Douglas, were no doubt added later to a legitimate, and otherwise non descript cover.
But why?
I figured the William date, April 2 1950, was significant to Douglas the man. But I can find nothing in any bio of his I find on the web.
And googling the date itself turns up nothing.
So ladies and germs! here's the mystery. What is the purpose of this cover? Someone went to a lot of trouble and effort to honour the Justice with this cover. It may be a one off. I can't tell if the hand made cancel is original or reproduced here somehow. There are no pen scratch lines under the ink.
What do you think? Hmmmm?
I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
Have at 'er
What is interesting is the postmark on the right is from Douglas Ill, while the one on the left is from William - no state. You see what I see, right?
So the cancels are his name. The cancel on the right from Douglas Ill, is dated March 28 1950, while William is dated April 2 1950.
The William cancel is hand drawn, and appears to be placed to match the four bar cancel on the prexxie next to it. Note that cancel does NOT tie the stamp to the cover.
So that cancel and stamp, and probably the photo of Mr Justice Douglas, were no doubt added later to a legitimate, and otherwise non descript cover.
But why?
I figured the William date, April 2 1950, was significant to Douglas the man. But I can find nothing in any bio of his I find on the web.
And googling the date itself turns up nothing.
So ladies and germs! here's the mystery. What is the purpose of this cover? Someone went to a lot of trouble and effort to honour the Justice with this cover. It may be a one off. I can't tell if the hand made cancel is original or reproduced here somehow. There are no pen scratch lines under the ink.
What do you think? Hmmmm?
I'm curious to hear your thoughts.
Have at 'er