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 Congress (Screw Sloop)
November 11, 2020
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USS Congress – Screw Sloop by Glenn Smith (#8073) This CONGRESS was only in commission from 1870 to 1876. There have been five other ships named CONGRESS. From February 1872 to January 1874, CONGRESS was part of the Mediterranean Squadron,
USS Belleau Wood (CVL-24)
November 11, 2020
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USS Belleau Wood CVL 24 By Steve Shay (L-10,821) Here is a war time cover from a sailor that reminds us of how important letters were to those serving in the military during World War II. In today’s world,
USS Chaumont (AP-5)
November 11, 2020
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USS Chaumont AP-5 By Steve Shay (L-10,821) John Young has a very nice article in the June 2012 Log featuring Flag Day covers. There can never be too many Flag Day covers to look at, so I’ve chosen one of
USS Tullibee (SSN-597)
November 11, 2020
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USS Tullibee SSN 597 By Steve Shay (L-10,821) Cachet maker Clyde Sarzin prepared this launch cover for the USS Tullibee. Sarzin prepared submarine event covers in the 1960’s. He also prepared first day covers featuring metallic cachets that were pasted
USS California (BB-44)
November 11, 2020
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USS California BB-44 By Steve Shay (L-10,821) The battleship USS California was moored at Quay F-3 on the morning of December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attack began. The California was under the command of Captain Joel Bunkley and
USS West Virginia (BB-48)
November 10, 2020
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USS West Virginia By Steve Shay (L-10,821) September 2, 1945 was the date of the surrender ceremony held aboard the USS Missouri, ending the war with Japan and ending World War II. Approximately 280 ships were at anchor in Tokyo
USS Sirius (AK-15)
November 10, 2020
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USS Sirius (AK-15) In the late 1930’s it was apparent to the United States military and government that there was potential trouble brewing just over the horizon. Consequently, efforts were made to put defenses in place in strategic locations. The
Cut Square Cancels (Rare)
November 10, 2020
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Cut Square Cancels Recent talk about R rated cancels (those of which 100 or fewer copies are reported) led me to remember a collection of cut squares I purchased 5 years ago. Early collectors of stamps and postmarks often used
ICEX – 86
November 10, 2020
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ICEX -86 By Steve Shay (L-10,821) On May 6, 1986, three US Navy Sturgeon class nuclear attack submarines rendezvoused and surfaced together at the North Pole. This event occurred while the submarines were participating in ICEX 1-86, an Arctic Ocean
USS Mississippi (BB-41)
November 10, 2020
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USS Mississippi (BB-41) The August and October 2013 issues of the USCS Log had excellent articles on cachet maker Henry Stinemetts. The cachet on the cover this month is a Stinemetts cachet. The cachet marks Armistice Day 1939 and is
USS Portland (CA-33)
November 10, 2020
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USS PORTLAND CA-33 By John Young (USCS #L-8219) “Sweet Pea” known by her crew, was one of two INDIANAPOLIS class heavy cruisers built by Bethlehem Steel, Quincy MA. Launched in May 1932 and held its first day of commissioning ceremonies
USS Argonaut (SM-1)
November 10, 2020
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USS Argonaut SM-1 By Steve Shay (#L-10821) This is a beautiful cachet by James Chun who was a cachet artist for the Aloha and Argonaut Crews of the ANCS. The cover features a Type F cancel from the submarine USS
USS Mindanao (PR-8)
November 10, 2020
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USS Mindanao (PR 8 ) By Steve Shay (#L-10821) In the fall of 1985 Glenn Smith (#8073) sent this cover to RADM Kemp Tolley and asked him to autograph it for him. He did so and sent it back to
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
November 10, 2020
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USS D.D. Eisenhower By John Young (L-8219) The theme of turkey on a platter by Roger Wentworth (USCS #9963) depicts Mom or Grandma serving her family, posted aboard USS D. D. EISENHOWER on 22 NOV 1990. Most sailors would rather
USS San Francisco (CA-38) – New Year
November 10, 2020
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USS San Francisco CA-38 By Steve Shay (L-10,821) Happy New Year and Welcome 2012! The Wentz Brothers and the postal clerk on the cruiser USS San Francisco had similar thoughts 75 years ago and they worked together to prepare this