Details For Cover ID# 29518

This perforated circular was mailed from Independent Project Records' P.O. Box in Los Angeles, CA with a metered Scott #1905 (and CDS backstamp dated May 17, 1985, Los Angeles, CA Terminal Annex).

The 11¢ Railroad Caboose from the Transportation Series was first issued on February 3rd, 1984 in Chicago, IL. It was printed by the BEP, engraved, perf 10 vertically. These bulk rate stamps were issued in coils.

The first ever coil stamp was issued on May 18, 1981 without much fanfare. For the first time in US history, it featured its own unique design instead of duplicating a current definitive design. 50 more coil stamps were issued over the following 15 years, each featuring a different mode of transportation. I actively began collecting these stamps as they were issued and still have my original coil collection from childhood.

The variety of denominations matched the exact rates for several categories of Third Class mail (bulk rate and quantity-discounted mail). As the rates changed, new stamps with upgraded values were created. These stamps featured the largest variety of fractional cent values ever in a stamp series. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) printed the vast majority of these stamps in the series, although private contractors were involved in a few issues. Most of the later issues were engraved intaglio. The endless varieties of precancels, tagging, paper and gum have allured 20th century collectors to this series over the years.

The inside of the circular says:

“INDEPENDENT PROJECT RECORDS POSTBOX 60357 LOS ANGELES, CA 90060

GREETINGS,

WE ARE INDEPENDENT PROJECT RECORDS.

FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN RELEASING RECORDS FROM SOE OF THE MORE CREATIVE BANDS IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA THIS, COMBINED ITH OUR DISTINCTIVE HAND LETTERPRESSED PACKAGING HAS MADE OUR RECORDS SOUGHT AFTER BY MANY, AND WE ARE PRESENTLY BUILDIG A REPUTATION WORLDWIDE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR MAILINGS ANNOUNING NEW RELEASES, PLEASE FILL OUT AND RETURN THE ATTACHED CARD. THE MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE US ON THE CARD, THE MORE EFFECTIVELY WE CAN PROMOTE OUR PROJECTS IN YOUR AREA.

THANKS, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

INDEPENDENT PROJECT

RECORDS

HOME OF SAVAGE PUBLIC, HUMAN HANDS, KOMMUNITY FK, PARTY BOYS, & ABECEDARIANS."

The request for information on the back of the circular which was meant to be completed and returned by the recipient and it states the following:

“STORE NAME AND ADDRESS:

CONTACT PERSON:

HAVE YOU EVER STOCKED INDEPENT PROJECT RECORDS? IF SO, WHICH ONES?

WHAT CLUBS AND/OR BOOKERS DO YOU RECOMMEND?

WHICH DISTRIBUTORS DO YOU USE, OR, WHAT WOULD BE THE MOST EFFECT WAY FOR YOUR TO GET OUR PROJECTS?

DO YOU NOW OF ANY VIDEO OUTLETS IN YOUR AREA THAT WOULD PLAY INDEPENDENTLY PRODUCED VIDEOS?

WOULD YOU AT ANY TIME BE INTEREST IN HAVE A WINDOW DISPLAY ON IPR OR AN IPR ARTIST?

IS THERE ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU THINK WE WOULD FIND USEFUL TO HELP YOU TO MORE EFFECTIVE SELL OUR WORK?

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON IPR, PLEASE INDICATE HERE:”

This circular was returned to sender, postage due 22¢, as there was no forwarding order on file for Rebop Records on 314 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116. An indication of “ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED” is printed in red below the corner card. This is a link to the NYT announcement for the official rate change published February 17, 1985.

R.E.M. and Stereolab sure had a fine marketing team! Many thanks to Eric Jackson, one of the most prolific revenue collectors in the US, for giving me these (I have 2). If anyone else is interested in them, they can contact him directly through his website.