by John Macco
26th of July 2009

Astrophilatelists since the launch of Sputnik-1 on October 4, 1957 have collected space stamps and covers. The covers were cancelled on the dates of major space events. Launches of communications, weather and science satellites as well as planetary probes were commemorated with covers. In the past, there were servicers who for a small fee or no fee at all serviced collector covers. The covers were taken to the post office near where the launch took place for cancellation. To name a few, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Marshall Space Flight Center and Goddard Space Flight Center had in house stamp clubs that provided cover servicing for collectors covers. I am going to show some covers to illustrate the variety of covers available to collectors for very little outlay of money.

One thing I would recommend is membership in the Space Unit. The Space Unit is an international organization devoted to astrophilately. If anybody would like to see a copy of the Astrophile, email me your mailing address and I’ll send you a copy. Check out the Space Unit website at www.space-unit.com