Weird Collection - Holy Cards - Weird Question

[gardenmoma]

I also have several hundred. My mother always saved them when she went to the viewing. I save them also...John

I would save them for the genealogical information and also for sentimental reasons. My Mother also had such a collection, I saved the ones from family and close family friends, but did not keep the others. The cards for her parents (died in the 1940s in Massachusetts) are in Polish...Nancy

Collecting these cards was a big deal for people in my (our) parents generation. At my Mother's wake 9+ years ago, I could not believe the enthusiasm with which those cards were received...Nancy

Nancy and John...

Thanks...I really felt "creeped out" when I found this huge meticulously saved collection of cards in my Mom's stuff

And then I returned home and took a look at all the cards I'd saved Like mother, like daughter!

You need to understand...I am surrounded by people who are ruthless at throwing things away...make me feel very guilty when "my collections" run over into family living space...

Forza has presented me with a new battle cry "Good By Paper Things!"...but only after I am certain

[nancy]

Forza has presented me with a new battle cry "Good By Paper Things!"...but only after I am certain

that is why scanning to disc is also a good idea!

[gardenmoma]

Many of the late Polish stamp issues are very nice BUT many of them are known as pre-cancelled. A pre-canceled stamp is one that has never been used to mail postage (primary purpose of a stamp). The stamps are in new condition and the gum on the back of the stamp is still intact. The stamps have a cancelation mark on their front and that is what seperates them from a mint stamp or used stamp. This type of stamp had only one use, and that was to raise revenues for post offices and some vendors. The pre-cancels have only one use and that is to fill empty spaces. A pre-cancel of the modern era has almost no value as a collectable other then to look at and admire the artwork. Poland is not the only country to make pre-cancels as this was done in other Eastern European countries as well as the United Arab Republic countries. A used stamp that was actually used for postage has more value than fist fulls of pre-cancels. In Poland there was once a paper shortage and the stock that was used to make stamps had a very high rag content and these are very collectable. The newer of any country may look nice but there is a lot they lack. The dies of older issue stamps were made by an engraver and we can enjoy the skill and artistry of the engraver when he cut these dies. We can enjoy the history and times that are imparted in the stamps (I have a Pilsudski mourning stamp from Poland) I also have a pre-wwI collection from (Bosnia-Herzegovina), mint condition. So gardenmomma, be forwarned and beware of pre-cancels...Bob S.

Bob...thank you! This is very good information...I will also put this information onto the Polish stamp link that I started.

[jimpres]

GM,

I also have all the death cards of relatives. I usually scan them into the computer and put more then one on a page and add it to my genealogy book which has birth certs, death certs, marriages etc. I also have the crusifixes off the caskets. And the first communion candles etc.

[gardenmoma]

I have to admit that my sister and I found one (casket?) crucifix in my Mom's stuff

My sister and I looked at it...looked at each other...and each asked the other "Do you want it?!" We both said "NO!" (It was old...not particularly attractive, but gruesome...we also did not know whose casket it had been on...that might have made a difference.) We gave it to a fellow from a local antique / second-hand store.

However, I did keep the one from my Mom's casket as it is quite nice...my sister didn't want that one either I really don't remember if there was one on my Dad's - we didn't find it in Mom's stuff.

We found no First Communion candles, although I know they had them...all the pictures show communicants holding them.

I'm glad to have found some kindred spirits...most of my family think I'm