STEVE LEVINE
United States
Postal Stationery

UNITED STATES
SPECIALIZED
 ENVELOPES BY UPSS#
PART 5: U532-U546

     PRICELIST & ORDER BLANK  THIS LIST is both a pricelist of my stock and an order blank.  Scott #’s are taken from the 2008 Scott U.S. Specialized Catalog.  UPSS Numbers (when used) are taken from the UPSS 19th & 20th Century Envelope Catalogs.  Where necessary, I invent my own numbers.

     HOW TO ORDER:
1.  DINOSAUR STYLE  If ordering Dinosaur Style (thru the mail), you can print out this sheet, then circle the price of what you want and mail it in with either a check or a Credit Card #.   
2.  ONLINE  Sorry, this is not a full-function interactive website with a shopping cart and card processing ability.  It's Dinosaur-style; it only has listings.  Still, we can improvise!
     You can send me an e-mail and type out what you want and the price.  Please include the Scott#, the UPSS#, and the Watermark. 
     OR, you can cut & paste the item with its description and price.  If you need to HIGHLIGHT anything, please do it in green (00CC00 for the techs out there).
     I accept VISA, Master Card, and American Express.  I also accept PAY PAL, at my e-mail address of "slwarking@erols.com".
3.  PHONE  IF your order is relatively simple, or if you have a few questions, you can phone me at 718-939-5788.  For me, there's no such thing as "business hours".  I'm usually in, and if I'm not, you get the answering machine.  Leave your #; I'll get back to you.
     SELLOUTS AND REFUNDS  This is a very specialized list.  Parts of it are backed by a pretty hefty inventory, but MANY of these envelopes -- even the inexpensive ones -- are difficult to find and are "1-of-a-kind".  Keeping this list current is a chore-and-a-half; "more than occasionally" I won't remove a sold out item quickly enough.  More than any other area of my stock, it will happen here; I apologize in advance for the inconvenience.

TERMS OF PURCHASE:  Items from this list may be combined with items from my other lists for a MINIMUM ORDER of $15.  ALL ORDERS will be shipped via Insured or Registered mail, for your protection.  Please add $2 for
postage and insurance to all orders.  There's never a "handling" fee; just actual postage expenses.  This is for U.S. orders only.  Overseas shipments, please e-mail me in advance for shipping information.
     New York State Residents, please add the appropriate Sales tax.  VISA, Master Card and American Express are accepted: please include all information which appears in raised print, PLUS the 3 digit security code which appears on the back.
                  SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED ON ALL ORDERS

     INFORMATION ABOUT ENVELOPES BY UPSS#:  AT the end of this list is some information about Specialized Envelopes by UPSS# which you'll find useful.  I have a few words to say on the subjects of SPECIALIZED ENVELOPE collecting, and that most important matter, the overall quality of what I sell.  CLICK HERE

    HOW TO USE THIS LIST:
     This list is a SPECIALIZED ENVELOPE list, intended for the advanced collector.  It's LONG on numbers, SHORT on descriptions.  BEGINNERS and INTERMEDIATE collectors will be more comfortable using my EARLY ENVELOPES and MODERN ENVELOPES list which provide better descriptions of the items.

     There are 8 columns in this list...as follows:

     1.  SCOTT # refers to the number in the Scott Specialized Catalog of United States Stamps & Covers.  Where necessary, I improvise a bit.
     2.  UPSS # refers to the number in the Catalog(s) of the 19th/20th Century Stamped Envelopes and Wrappers of the United States published by the United Postal Stationery Society.
     3.  RA  If "RA" appears in the 3rd column, then the envelope has a RETURN ADDRESS, or what the old timers used to call a "Corner Card".
     4.  UPSS SZ is the UPSS Size of the envelope.  These sizes are listed below.
     5.  WIND ?  If W appears in the 5th column, then this is a WINDOW ENVELOPE.
     6.  KN  This is the UPSS "Knife".  It refers to the way the envelopes are die-cut before the flaps are folded and gummed.
     7.  WMK  This is the Watermark on the envelope.
     8.  PRICE  There are 2 kinds of envelopes.  COMMON VARIETIES, where the price is based on Scott, and PREMIUM VARIETIES, where the price is based on the UPSS Catalog.  Scott Catalogs are issued yearly and are usually on the mark with pricing.  UPSS Catalogs are fairly accurate WHEN ISSUED; the 19th Century was last issued in 2001 and the 20th century was last issued in 2004.  In a few years, they're behind the curve, especially on the early material.  BOTH catalogs are necessary to understand the price structure.

    A GUIDE TO ENVELOPE SIZES:  Created for a variety of reasons, Early envelopes exist in a wide range of sizes.  Here they are:

UPSS SIZE   1: 118 x 65 mm          UPSS SIZE 10: 160 x 89 mm            UPSS SIZE 19: 191 x 99 mm
UPSS SIZE   2: 120 x 73 mm          UPSS SIZE 11: 160 x 95 mm            UPSS SIZE 20: 219 x 92 mm
UPSS SIZE   3: 134 x 73 mm          UPSS SIZE 12: 165 x 92 mm            UPSS SIZE 21: 225 x 98 mm
  UPSS SIZE   4: 130 x 80 mm          UPSS SIZE 13: 171 x 94 mm            UPSS SIZE 22: 241 X 100 mm
  UPSS SIZE   5: 137 x 77 mm          UPSS SIZE 14: 119 x 92 mm            UPSS SIZE 23: 241 x 105 mm
  UPSS SIZE   6: 140 x 78 mm          UPSS SIZE 15: 130 x 105 mm          UPSS SIZE 24: 249 x 104 mm
  UPSS SIZE   7: 139 x 82 mm          UPSS SIZE 16: 134 x 108 mm          UPSS SIZE 25: 258 x 111 mm
  UPSS SIZE   8: 149 x 85 mm          UPSS SIZE 17: 140 x 108 mm          UPSS SIZE 26: 271 x 118 mm
UPSS SIZE   9: 149 x 92 mm          UPSS SIZE 18: 143 x 111 mm                                                            

Recently, some new sizes have been used:
     UPSS SIZE 22A: 190 x 127 mm  Used on Scott #U613.
     UPSS SIZE 18A: 201 x 91 mm  Used on Official envelopes which were used for mailing Savings Bonds.
     UPSS SIZE 22B: 226 x 112 mm  Used on Official envelopes which were
use for mailing Passports.

ALL ENVELOPES ARE MINT, WITH NO PRINTING, UNLESS YOU SEE "RA" IN FRONT OF THE PRICE.

OVAL DIES PLUS: U532-U546

SCOTT    UPSS    RA    UPSS  WIND     KN    WMK    PRICE
  #        #      ?     SZ     ?                        
U532    3279            13            78X    42     7.50
U532    3280     RA     13     W      78w    43     9.50
========================================================
U532b   3290     RA     10            57     45    10.00
U532b PR 3290a   RA     10            57u    45     2.75
U532b   3292     RA     10     W      57w    43    10.50
U532b   3294     RA     13            78     43    10.50
U532b   3294     RA     13            78     45    10.50
U532b PR 3294a          13            78u    43     2.75
U532b PR 3294a          13            78u    45     2.75
U532b   3297     RA     23           106     45    10.50
U532b PR 3297a   RA     23           106u    43     4.00
U532b PR 3297a   RA     23           106u    46     2.50
U532b   3299     RA     23     W     106w    43    10.50
========================================================
U535    3300     RA     10            57     45    12.00
U535    3301            10            57X    42     6.00
U535    3302     RA     10     W      57w    43     6.50
U535    3302     RA     10     W      57w    45     6.50
U535    3304            13            78     43     7.25
U535    3304            13            78     45     6.00
U535 PR 3304a           13            78u    43     3.00
U535 PR 3304a    RA     13            78u    46     4.00
U535    3306     RA     13     W      78w    43     6.50
U535    3307     RA     23           106     45    14.00
U535 PR 3307a           23           106u    43     3.25
U535 PR 3307a           23           106u    45     3.00
U535 PR 3307a           23           106u    46     3.50
U535    3308            23           106X    42    14.00
U535    3309     RA     23     W     106w    43    12.00
U535    3309     RA     23     W     106w    45    12.00
========================================================
U533a   3310            13            78     45     1.75
U533a   3310     RA     13            78     46    20.00
U533a   3311            13            78x    42     1.75
U533a   3312            23           106     45     1.50
U533a   3313     RA     23           106X    44     6.00
========================================================
U533b   3315            23           106     45     2.00
U533b   3315            23           106     46     2.00
========================================================
U533    3316     RA     10            57     43     1.60
U533    3317            10            57X    42     1.60
U533    3318     RA     10     W      57w    45     3.25
U533    3318a    RA     10     W      57wu   46     5.00
U533    3319     RA     12            66     46    15.00
   Minor crease at upper left...reduced price.         
U533    3321            13            78     43     1.60
U533    3321            13            78     45     1.15
U533    3321            13            78     46     1.15
U533    3322            13            78X    42     1.25
U533    3322     RA     13            78X    44     1.60
U533    3323     RA     13     W      78w    45     3.00
U533    3323     RA     13     W      78w    46     3.50
U533    3323a    RA     13     W      78wu   46     3.50
U533    3324     RA     20     W      93w    43     2.40
U533    3326     RA     21           100X    42     2.40
U533    3326a    RA     21           100Xu   42     7.25
U533    3327     RA     21     W     100w    43     7.25
U533    3328            23           106     43     2.40
U533    3328            23           106     45     1.60
U533    3328            23           106     46     1.60
U533    3328a    RA     23           106u    46     6.50
U533    3329            23           106X    42     1.60
U533    3329            23           106X    44     1.60
U533    3329a    RA     23           106Xu   44     4.00
U533    3330     RA     23     W     106w    45     3.25
U533    3332     RA     25           124X    42     3.25
U533    3332     RA     25           124X    44     4.75
========================================================
U533c   3336            13     W      78w    45     2.40
U533c   3337     RA     21     W     100w    45     6.00
U533c   3337     RA     21     W     100w    46     4.75
U533c   3337a    RA     21     W     100wu   46     7.25
U533c PR 3338           23           106u    46     3.00
U533c   3339     RA     23     W     106w    45     4.00
========================================================
U534a   3343            13            78X    42     2.50
========================================================
U534b   3346            10            57     43     1.60
U534b   3347            10            57X    42     1.60
U534b   3350     RA     23           106     43     2.00
U534b   3351            23           106X    42     2.00
========================================================
U534c   3353            10            57X    42     1.60
U534c   3353            10            57X    44     1.60
U534c   3354            12            66     46     1.40
U534c   3355            13            78     45     1.20
U534c   3355            13            78     46     1.20
U534c   3356            13            78X    42     1.40
U534c   3356            13            78X    44     1.60
U534c   3357     RA     23           106     43    12.00
U534c   3357            23           106     45     1.10
U534c   3357            23           106     46     1.10
U534c   3357     RA     23           106     47     1.25
========================================================
U534    3360            10            57X    42      .90
U534    3360            10            57X    44     2.40
U534    3362            12            66     46      .90
U534    3362     RA     12            66     47      .90
U534    3363            12     W      66w    46      .80
U534    3363a    RA     12     W      66wu   46     4.00
U534    3364            13            78     45     1.00
U534    3364            13            78     46     1.00
U534    3365            13            78X    42     1.60
U534    3365            13            78X    44     2.00
U534    3366            13     W      78w    46     1.00
U534    3367     RA     20     W      93w    43     2.40
U534    3369            21           100X    42     2.00
U534    3370     RA     21     W     100w    43     4.75
U534    3370     RA     21     W     100w    45     1.20
U534    3371            23           106     45     1.00
U534    3371a    RA     23           106u    46     1.60
U534    3372            23           106X    42     2.40
U534    3372            23           106X    44     3.25
U534    3373     RA     23     W     106w    46     1.00
U534    3373a    RA     23     W     106wu   46     1.40
========================================================
U534d   3376            10     W      57w    45     1.25
U534d   3378            12     W      66w    46     4.00
U534d   3378     RA     12     W      66w    47     1.40
U534d   3378a    RA     12     W      66wu   46     2.00
U534d   3381     RA     13     W      78w    43     2.40
U534d   3381     RA     13     W      78w    45     1.25
U534d   3381            13     W      78w    46     1.25
U534d   3382     RA     21     W     100w    43     3.25
U534d   3382     RA     21     W     100w    45     1.25
U534d   3382            21     W     100w    46     1.25
U534d   3382     RA     21     W     100w    47     1.25
U534d   3382a    RA     21     W     100wu   46     2.00
U534d   3385            23     W     106w    46     1.25
========================================================
U536    3386            12            66     46      .90
U536    3386            12            66     47     1.00
U536    3386            12            66     48     1.20
U536    3387            23           106     46     1.00
U536    3387            23           106     47     1.20
U536    3387            23           106     48     1.40
========================================================
U536a   3388            12            66     46     1.25
U536a   3388            12            66     47     2.00
U536a   3388            12            66     48     2.40
U536a   3389            12     W      66w    46     1.25
U536a   3389            12     W      66w    47     2.40
U536a   3389            12     W      66w    48     2.00
U536a   3390            12            67     46     2.25
U536a   3390            12            67     48     1.40
U536a   3391            12     W      67w    48     6.00
U536a   3392            13            78     46     2.40
U536a   3393     RA     13     W      78w    46     3.25
U536a   3394            21     W     100w    46     1.25
U536a   3394     RA     21     W     100w    47     2.75
U536a   3395            23           106     46     1.25
U536a   3395            23           106     47     1.40
U536a   3395            23           106     48     1.60
U536a   3396            23     W     106w    46     1.25
U536a   3396            23     W     106w    48     2.40
========================================================
U536b   3398            12     W      66w    46     1.25
U536b   3398            12     W      66w    47     1.40
U536b   3399            12            67     46     2.00
U536b   3399            12            67     48     1.60
U536b   3401            13            78     46     3.50
U536b   3402            13     W      78w    46     4.00
U536b   3403            21     W     100w    46     1.25
U536b   3403            21     W     100w    47     1.40
U536b   3405            23     W     106w    46     1.30
U536b   3405     RA     23     W     106w    47     1.25
========================================================
U537    3406            10            57     43     5.00
U537    3407            10            57X    42     5.00
U537    3408            13            78     43     5.00
U537    3409            13            78X    42     5.00
U537    3413            23           106X    42     5.50
U537    3414            23     W     106w    43     5.25
U537    3415            23     W     112w    39     5.50
========================================================
U537a   3416            13            78     43    15.00
U537a   3417            13            78X    42    17.00
U537b   3418            13     W      80w    39     7.00
U537b   3419            21     W     103w    39     7.50
U537b   3421            23     W     106w    43     7.00
U537b   3422            23     W     112w    39    20.00
========================================================
U538    3423            13            78     45     1.35
U538    3424            23           106     45     1.50
========================================================
U538a   3426            23           106     46     4.00
========================================================
U538b   3427            10            57     43     1.50
U538b   3427            10            57     45     1.50
U538b   3428            10            57X    44     1.60
U538b   3429            10     W      57W    45     2.75
U538b   3430            12            66     46     8.00
U538b   3431            12     W      66w    46     8.00
U538b   3432            13            78     43     3.50
U538b   3432            13            78     45     1.50
U538b   3432            13            78     46     1.50
U538b   3433            13            78X    42     2.50
U538b   3434            13     W      78w    43    14.00
U538b   3434            13     W      78w    45     2.50
U538b   3434            13     W      78w    46     4.00
U538b   3435            21           100w    43     4.00
U538b   3435            21           100w    45     1.40
U538b   3436            23           106     45     2.75
U538b   3436            23           106     46     1.40
U538b   3438            23     W     106w    43     3.50
U538b   3438            23     W     106w    45     1.75
========================================================
U538c   3440            13     W      78w    43     4.75
U538c   3440            13     W      78w    45     1.35
U538c   3441            21     W     100w    45     1.75
U538c   3441            21     W     100w    46     6.00
U538c   3442            23     W     106w    43     2.00
U538c   3442            23     W     106w    45     2.00
U538c   3442            23     W     106w    46     4.00
========================================================
U539    3443            10            57     41    16.50
U539    3444            10     W      57w    43    18.50
========================================================
U539a   3447            10            57     41    12.50
========================================================
U539b   3448            10     W      57w    43    35.00
U539b   3449            21     W     100w    43    27.50
========================================================
U540    3454            10            57     45     2.75
U540    3455            10            57X    44     3.25
U540    3456            12            66     46      .60
U540    3457            13            78     45     3.25
U540    3457            13            78     46      .60
U540    3458            23           106     46      .80
========================================================
U540b   3459            10            57X    44     1.60
U540b   3460            10     W      57w    45     1.60
U540b   3461            12            66     46     1.00
U540b   3462            12     W      66w    46     1.00
U540b   3463            13            78     45     1.60
U540b   3463            13            78     46      .90
U540b   3464            13     W      78w    45     4.75
U540b   3464            13     W      78w    46      .90
U540b   3465            21     W     100w    45     1.20
U540b   3465            21     W     100w    46     1.00
U540b   3466            23           106     46     1.00
U540b   3468            23     W     106w    45     1.00
U540b   3468            23     W     106w    46     1.00
========================================================
U540c   3469            10     W      57w    45     1.60
U540c   3469            10     W      57w    46     3.25
U540c   3470            12            66     46     8.00
U540c   3471            12     W      66w    46     3.25
U540c   3472            13            78     46     2.75
U540c   3473            13     W      78w    45     1.75
U540c   3473            13     W      78w    46     1.00
U540c   3474            21     W     100w    45     1.00
U540c   3474            21     W     100w    46     2.50
U540c   3476            23     W     106w    45     1.20
U540c   3476            23     W     106w    46     1.00
========================================================
U541    3477            12            66     46      .80
U541 PR 3477a           12            66u    46      .75
U541 PR 3477a           12            66u    47     1.25
U541 PR 3478            23           106u    46      .75
U541 PR 3478            23           106u    47     1.25
========================================================
U541a PR 3479           12            66u    47     1.85
U541a PR 3480           23           106u    47     2.00
========================================================
U542 PR 3482            23           106u    47      .75
========================================================
U543    3487            12            67     46      .75
========================================================
U544a   3488            12            66     47     1.10
U544a   3488            12            66     48     1.10
U544a   3489            23           106     47     1.20
U544a   3489            23           106     48     1.20
========================================================
U544    3490            12            66     47     1.10
U544    3490            12            66     48     1.10
U544c   3490a           12            66     47    77.50
U544    3491            12     W      66w    47     1.10
U544    3491            12     W      66w    48     1.10
U544    3492            12            67     48     1.10
U544    3493            12     W      67w    48     1.10
U544    3494            21     W     100w    47     1.40
U544    3495            23           106     48     1.20
U544    3496            23     W     106w    47     1.20
========================================================
U544b   3497            12            66     47     6.50
U544b   3498            12     W      66w    47     1.20
U544b   3498            12     W      66w    48    10.00
U544b   3499            12            67     48     1.20
U544b   3500            12     W      67w    48     2.00
U544b   3501            21     W     100w    47     2.00
U544b   3502            23           106     47     1.20
U544b   3503            23     W     106w    47     1.20
U544b   3503            23     W     106w    48     1.20
U544b   3504            23           113     48     2.00
U544b   3505            23     W     113w    48     1.20
========================================================
U545    3506            12            66     47     1.50
U545    3506            12            66     48     1.50
U545    3507            23           106     47     1.60
U545    3507            23           106     48     1.60
========================================================
U545a   3506b           12            66     47     1.50
U545a   3506b           12            66     48     1.50
U545a   3507b           23           106     48     1.60
========================================================
U546    3508            12            67     48      .60

END OF SPECIALIZED ENVELOPES BY UPSS # LIST, PART 5
 

RETURN TO HOME PAGE   LAST UPDATED: JANUARY 22, 2010

             SPECIALIZED ENVELOPE INFORMATION

     BEFORE I say a few words about Specialized Envelopes, I'd like you to read the information sections in my EARLY ENVELOPES and MODERN ENVELOPES lists.  These sections should give you a general background, especially in terms of the quality to expect.

     There are only 2 minor differences between Specialized (UPSS#) Envelope collecting and General Envelope collecting:

     1.  There tends to be more "information" penciled on the back of specialized envelopes.  NOT ALL, of course, but many Envelope varieties have various notations including Scott#, UPSS#, Size, Knife, Watermark, and on occasion, the dealer from whom the envelope was purchased...even the price paid. 
     If the collector was a "name" collector, there might be a small rubber stamp with some sort of message "From the Collection of .........."  For many issues, such markings not only don't hurt the value of the envelope, they actually enhance it.  In the case of some items which may be difficult to identify, a good "provenance" (history of previous ownership) is a Godsend.  Frankly, many of the early collectors were as knowledgeable -- if not more so -- than the dealers who hand out the "certificates" today.  Their I.D. on an envelope is practically a guarantee.

     The hobby of Envelope Collecting has gone through several "time periods"; each of these time periods was dominated by a dealer or group.  Each of these groups issued their own Envelope catalog.  There was the time of Bartels, the time of Thorp, and the time of the UPSS. Some envelopes which have changed hands across several of these eras have had their "information" updated.  The backs of these envelopes tell an interesting story, albeit one which has used up a lot of pencil lead.

     2.  Many envelopes exist ONLY with Return Addresses.  If you're a General Envelope collector, you can ignore these if RAs annoy you.  If you're a Specialized Envelope collector, they're a little harder to ignore.

     What I'm saying here: The Specialized collecting of Envelopes is a serious study.  It isn't a beauty contest.  If you're an advanced collector, you already know this...

     There's also one MAJOR difference; the universe in which we work (or play, if you prefer) is a lot larger.  Even though there are "only" a shade over 800 BASIC Scott #s (Regular Envelopes, Airmails, Officials), when you consider the different sizes, knives and watermarks, the universe expands to...well, you know, I never figured it out, but I'd guess it's well over 25,000 envelopes.  Think of it as 50 boxes of 500...or, in sleeves/glassine envelopes, 100 boxes of 250 (takes up TWICE as much room if the envelopes are sleeved/in glassines)!  OR, think of it as 250 FDC-type albums of 100.  Any way you think about it, your collection will require a lot of space and time.

     IF you're up to the challenge, I can help you a bit; I think I have a pretty fair slice of the pie, though of course, it's only just a slice.  Envelope scarcity is often unrelated to price; it's often a question of being lucky enough to find the inventory.  It's usually a random event.  I'm out there...I'm looking...on occasion, I find and offer it to you.

     ENVELOPE QUALITY: THE BUCK STOPS HERE  I'm just repeating here some of the comments which appear on my EARLY ENVELOPES LIST.  You should expect top quality while recognizing that Envelopes are not "stamps".  Envelopes are a commercial product, and have only recently been printed with the needs of collectors in mind.  I buy carefully and weed out any obvious problems I see.  Thankfully, envelopes are spared the trauma of being packed & shrink-wrapped like some Postal Cards.  Still, they are cut, folded, and boxed mechanically, which can create "defects of manufacture".  As always, I try my best to weed these out.

     There's one problem with envelopes which you don't find with Postal Cards or Cut Squares, and there's nothing I can do about it: GUM BLEED.  Envelopes are gummed at the seams, AND Window Envelopes are also gummed where the glassine or plastic meets the paper.  IN TIME, the gum will discolor the paper...usually just a trifle, and not on every envelope.  This is usually not a problem; I just want to make you aware that every now and then you'll see an envelope which will be 90% up to snuff, not 100%.  I'm sorry; I didn't manufacture the envelopes.  If I did, I would have used a better gum....

     While MANY of the EARLY Envelopes I sell will look as if they came out of the Post Office yesterday -- clean, fresh, and with sharp strong corners -- SOME of them will show some signs of age and storage, as well as characteristics of the era in which they were collected.  Like Postal Cards, Envelopes were sometimes I.D.'d....LIGHTLY, in pencil, on the back.  Such I.D. marks include envelope size, watermark, and a catalog number...sometimes the old, THORP Catalog, or the newer, UPSS Catalog.  Anything beyond that, I weed out.

     SPECIALIZED INFORMATION  I'm going to be brief.  If you're using this list, then you already know everything you need to know...and if you don't, then I can't possibly tell you.  I defer to the experts.  You need to own 2 books; they are the UPSS 19th and UPSS 20th Century Envelope Catalogs.  They each contain a wealth of information  ...

     ...and of course, if you have a question, please feel free to e-mail or just pick up the phone & give me a call.  I'm always here to help.