Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1926-03-04
OF Interest to
Our Readers

Several times we nave puDllSneu
the advertisement of Mayor II. e.
Brooks of Marshall, Michigan, regard
ing old stamps. We understand that
many have benefited themselves fl
nancially through their transac-
tions with him, and no doubt many
others have old envelopes of value
which he will be glad to purchase. Mr.
Brooks has collected old stamps for
MANY years and is thoroughly famil-
lar with all issues. Those he espe-
cially wants are Confederate or u. s.,
but he also buys foreign stamps pro
ivdcd they are old issues, used before
1865.
1t is explained to us that very few
of the U. S. stamps used after 1865
are of value unless the postmarks are
unusual in color or design. There
fore, no envelopes should be sent
which were mailed after 1868. Old
folded letters or envelopes USED
before 1850 are of value only when
they bear some kind of adhesive post
age stamps The only envelopes
without stamps which might have val
ue are some of those used in the
South during the year 1861, before
Confederate stamps were available.
Loose stamps Mr.. Brooks does not
buy, except certain varieties OF the
Confederate issues. Stamps should
never be cut off as they are worth
more on the original envelopes. The
reason for this is that collectors today
are interested in postmarks as well as
stamps. Revenue stamps are not
wanted. He does not buy coins, Con-
federate money, old newspapers, old
documents or other relics. Nothing
but the old envelopes interest him.
This explanation is made because Mr..
Brooks writes that although he has
tried to make this plain in his adver-
Using, many people still write regard
ing miscellaneous articles when ne
does not collect.
Some of our readers have also sent
envelopes on which they have written
dates. This is not necessary ana
sometimes spoils their appearance al
ter such dates have been erased. Old
marks cannot be helped, but nothing
should be added Send envelopes
lust as YOU find them. The value OF
an envelope is determined by the va
riety of the stamp or postmark and
not the exact year mailed. Many OF
the early postmarks did not include
the wear date, but that makes no dill
ference in value.
There are so many different varle-
ties of these old stamps that their val
ues cannot be determined by written
descriptions. They must be seen and
examined. Many which appear to be
alike show slight differences when ex-
amined with magnifying glass. The
common types are wanted as well as
the rare ones. Your envelopes, how
ever. may be quite valuable ana
therefore should be sent either by
registered or insured mail. MT.
Brooks agrees to refund the postage
if the envelopes are not purchased:
Such envelopes, if in quality, should
be carefully packed in cardboard
box and well wrapped to make sure
the package will travel safely.
We gladly publish this for the ben
eft of those who have old envelopes
stored away which were mailed dur
ing or before the Civil War. Extra
money is always welcome. Our
churches need it and many individuals
are sorely in need of such help. we
would not advocate the selling OF
family letters. Private letters may De
kept, as only the envelopes are OF
value to Mr.. Brooks. In the case OF
the old-fashioned folded letters bear
mig stamps, the entire letter would, OF
course, have to be parted with as the
letter itself constitutes the "envei-
ope."
Mr.. Brooks is so we'll and .favorabiy
known to the publisher of the Leader
that we have no hesitation in recon-
intending him to our readers as worthy
of the fullest confidence. He Will re-