Collector Envelope Appraisal

Vintage R.R. Dick Ltd. Window Envelope with 1912 Postmark

This item is a vintage, light blue-grey commercial window envelope, featuring a prominent rectangular cutout with rounded corners on the left side, designed to display the recipient's address from the enclosed letter. The window is bordered by a dark green frame, while the interior of the window itself appears to be a light brown or tan color, possibly indicating an aged clear film or the color of the paper behind it. The envelope is addressed to 'Thick' in large, looping blue script, with 'Jack. Espt.' (possibly 'Esq.') written below, all in the same blue ink. In the upper right corner, there is a red one-cent U.S. postage stamp depicting Benjamin Franklin, which has been canceled with a circular postmark indicating 'PASSARC, N.J.' and the date 'SEP 6 30 PM 1912'. Further markings in blue ink include 'Rec'd F.C.F. 12' and '1912'. Additionally, there's a handwritten price '24.50' marked in blue script over the window area, suggesting a past sales price or appraisal. The return address, printed in the upper left corner, reads 'RETURN IF UNDELIV. to R.R. DICK, LTD. PASSAIC, New Jersey'. Another handwritten date, 'SEP 1 1972', is visible near the bottom of the window, indicating a much later date of handling or cataloging. The overall condition shows signs of age as expected for an item over a century old, including slight creases, discoloration of the paper, and general wear from handling and storage. The edges appear somewhat softened, and there may be minor tears not clearly discernible in the image. The paper exhibits a slight sheen, possibly due to its age or initial quality. The blue ink handwriting is legible and vibrant, contrasting well with the pale envelope color. The item serves as a historical artifact, offering insight into early 20th-century commercial correspondence and postal practices.