Collecting Ships Covers Postal History

Ship Covers for collectors had their beginnings with simple letters and postcards from a sailor writing to the family or girlfriend back home. First authorized by Congress in 1908, ships established their own ship’s post office and thus began a wonderful area for collectors. As with all things philatelic, the hobby took off and soon the covers bore cachets (artwork decorating the cover), and ships took to producing special event cancels. Of special interest are the cancels commemorating ship visits to foreign ports.

Adding interest for collectors of Naval Covers are the cachets; artwork of printed, stamped or hand drawn designs added to naval covers. Below is a nice inventory of Crosby covers that can be identified by a a small photograph of the ship glued to the cover and a thermograph, raised design, cachet.

At iHobb.com we maintain a good stock of ship covers, but it is a challenge keeping them in stock as this facet of the hobby is vibrant and interest is high.