AI Appraisal Estimate

This item is a vintage United States Post Office Department registered package receipt in the form of a postcard. The card is rectangular, made of light brown or beige cardstock, typical of early 20th-century postal stationery. It measures approximately 5.5 to 6 inches in length and 3.5 to 4 inches in width, though exact dimensions are not provided. The front face features printed text in a dark ink, likely black or dark brown, laid out in a functional, government-issued style for official business. Key printed elements include 'REGISTERED PACKAGE RECEIPT,' 'Post Office Department, Official Business,' and instructions to 'Receipt on other side and return this card by NEXT MAIL, without cover.' Specific fields for handwritten or stamped information are present, such as 'To,' 'Postmaster at ALTAMONT,' 'County of DEUEL,' and 'State of DAK.' (Dakota, likely South Dakota given Altamont and Deuel County). A notable feature is a circular purple ink stamp from the 'P.O. TRACY CALIF.' postmark, dated 'SEP 2, 192_,' with the last digit obscured but indicative of an early to mid-20th century date. The text 'A penalty of $300 is fixed by law for using this Card for other than Official Business' is printed along the left edge, highlighting its official nature. The card shows general signs of age, including slight discoloration, minor corner wear, and possibly some surface dirt or stains consistent with an item of daily use from its era. No significant tears or repairs are immediately visible. The overall condition suggests a well-preserved piece of postal history, reflecting the standard quality of government-issued forms of its time.

I have examined the provided image of this U.S. Post Office Department Registered Package Receipt Postcard. Visually, the item appears authentic, consistent with official postal stationery from the early to mid-20th century. The light brown cardstock, style of printing ('REGISTERED PACKAGE RECEIPT,' 'Post Office Department, Official Business'), and penalty warning are all characteristic of genuine pieces from that era. The circular purple ink postmark from 'P.O. TRACY CALIF.' dated 'SEP 2, 192_' further supports its authenticity and period of use. The handwritten entries for 'ALTAMONT,' 'DEUEL,' and 'DAK.' are typical of how these forms were completed. The condition, as described and visible in the image, is consistent with a used postal item of its age. Minor corner wear, slight discoloration, and potential surface dirt are expected and do not significantly detract from its value for collectors of postal history. No major tears or repairs are apparent. In terms of market conditions, these specific registered package receipts are not exceedingly rare, though examples from smaller or more obscure post offices can sometimes command a slight premium. The Tracy, California postmark is moderately common. Demand is generally from specialists in U.S. postal history or cancels. Factors impacting value include the legibility of the postmark, the completeness of the form, and the overall condition. The partially obscured date ('192_') slightly limits its appeal to those seeking perfect date legibility. While valuable for its historical context, it doesn't possess unique characteristics that would place it in a higher price bracket. Without physical inspection, I cannot confirm the exact paper stock, presence of hidden flaws, or true color-fastness. A physical examination would allow me to verify the paper's texture against known examples, inspect for repairs not visible in the image, and assess the exact nature of any discoloration or staining. Provenance documentation, while unlikely for such a common item, would further solidify its history. However, based on the clear visual evidence, I am confident in my assessment of its authenticity and condition for appraisal purposes. While an interesting piece of postal Americana, it falls into a common category for collectors.