Value of Old First Day Covers: Cachet Maker, Postmark, Signature, Scarcity and Condition
Evaluate old first day cover value by documenting issue, cachet maker, postmark, address, signature, scarcity, sleeves, photos, and condition.
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Upload photos for a free first lookStart an appraisalQuick value checklist
- Identify issue, cachet, postmark date and location, maker, signature, and whether the cover is unused or addressed.
- Check toning, creases, tears, stains, fading, corner bumps, tape, and sleeve condition.
- Separate signed covers, medallic covers, better cachets, and complete runs from common commemoratives.
Photo checklist
- Front, back, postmark, cachet, stamp, address area, signature, sleeve, certificate, and full group shot.
- Close-ups of toning, tears, creases, tape, stains, fading, and corner wear.
Related guides
Coin, currency, and stamp value guides, value of old postage stamps, value of old stamp collections, free stamp appraisal app, value of old stamps.
Note: We couldn’t find enough auction records that directly match Value of Old First Day Covers: Cachet Maker, Postmark, Signature, Scarcity and Condition to publish a defensible price table. If you are valuing a specific item, include its maker, model, material, photos, and condition so the search can be narrowed.
What similar items actually sold for
To help ground this guide in real market activity, here are recent example auction comps from Appraisily’s internal database. These matched sales are market context only, not an object estimate or identification, and they do not guarantee a price for your specific first day cover.
Shown GBP range: GBP 6-GBP 80. Median of these 4 GBP examples: GBP 8.
| Comparable | What sold | Auction house | Date | Lot | Source-reported amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Viscount Slim OBE Signed 50th Anniversary Victory in Japan Benhams Silk Cachet First Day Cover. | Chaucer Auctions | 2023-02-15 | 573 | GBP 10 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Type Three Insurance Style Cover First Day Issue of First Man on the Moon Stamp Signed by Aldrin and Collins, Armstrong | Goldberg Coins & Collectibles | 2025-02-27 | 1109 | USD 1,000 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
[HISTORY] - ROOSEVELT Eleanor (1884 - 1962) - Eleanor Roosevelt Signs First Day Cover | L'Autographe Auctions | 2025-11-24 | 206 | GBP 80 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Will Travers OBE Signed Benhams Silk Cachet First Day Cover. British Stamp with 15/01/02 Postmark. | Chaucer Auctions | 2023-08-23 | 121 | GBP 6 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Outstanding, Type Three Insurance Style Cover First Day Issue of First Man on the Moon Stamp Signed by Armstrong, Aldrin | Goldberg Coins & Collectibles | 2025-02-27 | 1150 | USD 3,200 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
The Rt Hon Michael Howard Signed Hong Kong Benhams Silk Cachet First Day Cover With British stamps | Chaucer Auctions | 2022-11-30 | 86 | GBP 6 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Princess Grace & Prince Rainier of Monaco Signed Gorgeous First Day Cover Commemorating Their Marriage in 1956 | University Archives | 2021-01-06 | 121 | USD 400 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Carl Yastzremski Signed First Day Cover with Silk Cachet, PSA Graded NM-MT 9 | University Archives | 2024-09-18 | 551 | USD 200 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
How these auction records were verified
Each row retains its exact source URL, lot identity, retrieval time, access result, and immutable record hash. Inspect the public comparable provenance record.
Disclosure: prices are shown as reported by auction houses and are provided for appraisal context. Learn more in our editorial policy.
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