Cover of the Month
This is an eclectic group of covers posted over many years and by a variety of members. Steve Shay should be credited with most of these. Many of the archived covers give highlights of the ship’s history, the cachet maker if appropriate and what the cancellation date and type are.
USS Honolulu (CL-48)
November 8, 2020
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USS Honolulu (CL-48) In 1939 there were five Thursdays in November, and in the era before “Black Friday” it was considered inappropriate for businesses to display Christmas decorations or merchandise before Thanksgiving. At the request of numerous retailers, still recovering
USS Henderson (AP-1)
November 8, 2020
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USS Henderson (AP-1) By Steve Shay (#L-10,821) USS Henderson was a transport ship launched June 17, 1916 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Commissioned May 24, 1917, she went on to transport members of the AEF to France during World War
USS Gannet (AVP-8)
November 8, 2020
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USS Gannet (AVP-8) By Steve Shay (#L-10,821) The USS Gannet was built as a minesweeper, one of the Lapwing class “Bird” boats. She was commissioned in July 1919 with hull designation AM-41. Almost immediately Gannet became a tender for aircraft
USS Edsall (DD-219)
November 8, 2020
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USS Edsall (DD-219) by Steve Shay (L-10,821) Pan American Airlines began trans-Pacific airmail service on November 22, 1935 and later extended the service to passenger flights on October 21, 1936. Service began with the Martin M-130 aircraft. There were 3
USS Colorado (BB-45)
November 8, 2020
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USS Colorado BB-45 By Steve Shay (#L-10,821) The USS Colorado was the lead ship of three battleships (Colorado, Tennessee, West Virginia) built as the Colorado class. A fourth ship, to be USS Washington, was laid down but was cancelled during
USS Cherokee (ATF-66)
November 8, 2020
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USS Cherokee (ATF-66) By Glenn Smith (#8,073) Art (and Love!) Cachet art has always been a popular addition to naval covers. However, beginning in the 1930’s, this art form “took off” when many new artists, both real and amateur, applied
USS Charleston (C-2)
November 8, 2020
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USS Charleston (C-2) By John Young (#L-8219) Letter from Ch Bos’n Dominick Glynn, USN to his wife, at Mare Island Navy Yard was mailed with postage has ship’s Sailor’s Letter marking and signature of ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain George W. Pigman,
USS Capella (AK-13)
November 8, 2020
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USS Capella (AK-13) By Steve Shay (#L-10821) The cargo ship USS Capella was built as the SS Cormorant in 1920 and acquired by the US Navy in 1921 and renamed USS Capella. She carried cargo along the east coast and
USS Cachalot (SS-170)
November 8, 2020
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USS Cachalot (SS-170) By Steve Shay (#L-10821) This is an attractive if odd cachet featuring a newborn sailor welcoming in the new year on the back of a stork. The cachet was sponsored by the ANCS Argonaut Crew and drawn
USS Brooks (DD-232)
November 8, 2020
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USS Brooks DD-232 By Steve Shay (#L-10,821) Happy Fourth of July 2017! This cover was posted on board the destroyer USS Brooks in 1932, cancelled by the mail clerk Charles Olasky. Olasky was known for researching and adding killer bar
USS Beaver (AS-5)
November 8, 2020
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USS Beaver ADS-5 By Steve Shay (#L-10,821) The USS Beaver was an early sub tender, receiving hull designation AS-5 in 1920. She was originally built as a passenger steamer, then purchased by the Navy and converted to a sub tender
USS Bairoko (CVE-115)
November 8, 2020
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USS Bairoko CVE-115 By Steve Shay (#L-10821) The Korean War began June 25, 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea. The United States was one of 21 countries from the United Nations that contributed forces on the side of South
USS Bainbridge (DD-246)
November 8, 2020
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USS Bainbridge DD -246 By Steve Shay (#L-10821) The USS Bainbridge was a Clemson class destroyer built as part of the World War I naval build up. She was launched in 1920 and commissioned February 9, 1921. She served in
USS Arneb (AKA-56)
November 8, 2020
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USS ARNEB (AKA 56) John Young (#L-8219) The ship’s cachet (Arctic & Antarctic Express) commemorates the ships crossing of both, the Arctic & Antarctic Circles in a single season. ARNEB provided polar logistic support from 1955 through 1963. She
USS Arizona (BB-39)
November 7, 2020
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USS Arizona BB-39 By Steve Shay (#L-10821) Perhaps one of the best known United States Navy ships is the battleship USS Arizona. Covers from the ship are not particularly rare. With a large crew and being in commission 25 years, the