Morris W. Beck Naval Covers
Reference Catalog and Checklist for Collectors
Compiled and Managed by Owen R. Murray, A member of the USCS #5676, and ATA Space Unit #4500

Home     Morris W. Beck Cover Basics      About this Web Site      Contact
Beck Space Cachet Designs     #6 USS Dace Overprint    #220 USS Lowry
   Cover Varieties Oddities  Beck's Messages  Beck's Personal Covers Astronaut Autographs
1943-1970's Events     Nuclear Ships     Foreign    President Series     States Series    First Day Covers   

Numbered Series   About the Series  1-50   51-99 MA-8  S,100-150  151-200  201-250  251-299   300-350 MA-9
  351-402   403-455    456-514 GT-2    515-569 GT-3, GT-4, GT-5    570-621 GTA-6 GT-7    622-687 AS-201, GTA-8, GTA-9, GTA-10, AP-3, GTA-11  
688-769 AS-202, GTA-12, AS-204, AS-501, AS-502, AP-7     770-841 AP-8, AP-9, AP-10, AP-11, AP-12, AP-13, AP-14  
  842-899 AP-14, AP-15, AP-16, AP-17, SL-II, SL-III, SL-IV     900-951   952-1000 ASTP

Articles and Resources:
NEW Small Rubber Stamps on Space Covers  Apollo PRS Postmarked in Hawaii
ASTP USS New Orleans July 25, 1975 onboard Cover
How postage rates affected collecting  Beck Printing Log for Numbered Series 
GTA-8 USS Boxer  Why Different Quantities?  Beck 929 Hawkins
         Join the Space Unit  Join the USCS  Other Collector Links
  Updated Checklists Jan 2012   

Copyright ©2003-2012 Owen R Murray.  All Rights Reserved.      Revised: Wednesday February 01, 2012.

Click on Photos

Number produced: 482

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $24.95, $36.77
2009  $33.00
2010  $27.53
2011  $
2012  $ 

Please note that the YELLOW color of all the covers shown on this page is the same when seen on the actual cover. 
The differences in various shades of the YELLOW color from cover to cover is due to scanning differences.  The YELLOW shown to the right on the printing error cover illustrates the correct color.
 

Printing Error. Missing silver color. Only the yellow and blue are printed. 
Scan courtesy of Dr. Ross J. Smith
 

The cover shown here has the Beck B515 printed on the BACK of the cover.

The Project Gemini cachet was applied to the front of the cover before it was sent to Mr. Beck.  Beck printed his cachet on the back of the envelope and then sent the envelope to the US Navy for postmarking. 

Other examples are seen for B561 and B562.  Scroll down on this page to see it.
 

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $90.00
2010  $32.00
2011  $
2012  $ 

Est Value $100-150

Beck's cover log shows that 482 covers were printed for cover #515. For each of the space issues, Mr. Beck sent about 25 printed envelopes to the Navy.  These did not have the "B" number on the cover as shown on the right.  The 25 covers were a gift from Mr. Beck to the ship's Captain and crew for handling the batch of collector's covers.  That is why it is called a CREW cover. Most of the CREW covers were given to senior crew members or VIPs on the ship.  These people were not cover collectors and to them, the cover was just a memento. 

Note the small maroon, red or blue rubber stamp that was applied to collector's envelopes after the flight was over.  Collectors wishing to have this rubber stamp applied to covers, sent their covers with SASE to Mr. Beck.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp and returned the covers to the collectors using their SASE. Keep in mind that not very many covers have this stamp.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp to any covers the collector sent in, not just CREW covers.  We also know that Mr. Beck sold sets of the round rubber stamps to dealers and collectors that wanted to apply their own impressions.

 SEE MORE INFORMATION HERE

.
 

These crew covers are very rare covers.  The autographed cover with Grissom's and Young's autograph is from the collection of Steve Durst. 

Another example-sold for only $32 in 2010

Still another example Dr Smith noted on eBay in March 2011.  Note that the handwriting on the two covers above are same and same last name.  Someone on the ship got their hands on a couple of the CREW covers and sent them to family.  This cover being offered in March 2011 with an asking price of 180 Euros or about $250.

Most of the CREW covers are forever lost and either destroyed or sitting in some box of old navy papers that will never be seen again by collectors. That is why these CREW covers are so RARE and estimated to be worth $100-$150 or more.

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011  $
2012  $   

It is believed that the Beck cover for USS Boston exists only as a CREW cover. No numbered covers have been observed for USS Boston. 
We have observed USS Boston covers for this event with the navy rubber stamp cachet.

Note the small maroon, red or blue rubber stamp that was applied to collector's envelopes after the flight was over.  Collectors wishing to have this rubber stamp applied to covers, sent their covers with SASE to Mr. Beck.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp and returned the covers to the collectors using their SASE. Keep in mind that not very many covers have this stamp.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp to any covers the collector sent in, not just CREW covers.

 SEE MORE INFORMATION HERE

Number produced: 468

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $4.95
2009  $4.00
2010  $9.00
2011  $
2012  $  
 

Number produced: 460

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $12.77
2009  $4.00
2010 
2011  $
2012  $ 
 

Number produced: 454

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011  $16.00
2012  $

Number produced: 447

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 $4.00
2010 
2011  $15.99
2012  $

Number produced: 439

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $79.00
2009  $9.99
2010 
2011  $31.00, $16.50
2012  $

At right: two examples of the USS Intrepid PRS cover.
 

Prime Recovery Ship

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $

Hand Cancel

Number produced: 436

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $

GT4 Prime Recovery Ship. 
On GT-3 cachet changed to GT-4

Scan courtesy of Luc Jallot.  This is interesting because it seems to indicate that the changes to the Beck printed cachet were made by the ship's personnel and not a collector.

Also see B522 Wasp Below

Number produced: 

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011
2012  $  

Number produced: 454

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $29.50
2011  $16.00
2012  $

See the notes above for B521 Wasp regarding the cachet changes from GT-3 to GT-4.
 

GT4 Prime Recovery Ship.   On GT-3 cachet changed to GT-4.

Scan courtesy of Spaceflori.  Another Example of the cachet

Number produced: 428

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $4.00
2010  $9.00
2011  $15.50
2012  $

 

Note the small maroon, red or blue rubber stamp that was applied to collector's envelopes after the flight was over.  Collectors wishing to have this rubber stamp applied to covers, sent their covers with SASE to Mr. Beck.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp and returned the covers to the collectors using their SASE. Keep in mind that not very many covers have this stamp.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp to any covers the collector sent in, not just CREW covers.

 SEE MORE INFORMATION HERE

Number produced: 423

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 $4.25
2010  $9.00
2011
2012  $  
 

BLUE

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $

The USS Harold J Ellison covers for Gemini 3 is a very interesting series of covers.

Dr. Ross J Smith has studied this series and has provided additional information.

All Beck covers observed for USS Harold J Ellison for Gemini 3 event also have the ship's rubber stamp cachet on the reverse of each cover in RED.  The ship's cachet (on the reverse) has not been observed in any color on a Beck cover other than red. 

However, on covers with the Navy rubber stamp cachet (on the front), the ship's cachet can appear on the reverse in colors other than red.
 

Ship's cachet on reverse in RED

BLACK 

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

BROWN/GOLD

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011  $22.50
2012  $

Updated Feb 2011.  Another B525 with the Brown/Gold cancel was found by Dr Smith.
A B525 with the Brown/Gold cancel was found by Dr Smith.
The Brown/Gold cancel has now been observed on two Beck Covers.  Until February 2011 we thought the cover shown in our listing for B525 Brown/Gold might be a unique cover.  Now we know there are at least two!

Note the pencil writing in the address area. #140.
There is no other address.  One speculation is that this refers to US Navy Task Force #140.  If that is correct, then this cover might have been processed for a crew member.

A second Brown/Gold Cancel.
Scan courtesy of Dr. Ross Smith

Also review this scan below.  Click on it to enlarge it.  Note the color of the cachet used on the Navy cachet.  It is the same color as the cancel used on the Beck cover.  The cover below with the Navy Brown/Gold cachet has the ship's cachet in Blue on the reverse.  The Beck cover has the ship's cachet in Red on the reverse.

RED 

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

BLUE 

Number produced: 413

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011  $5.51
2012  $
 

BLACK 

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

BROWN/GOLD 

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

RED 

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 409

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $9.00
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 403

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $4.95
2009 
2010  $9.00
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 397

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $5.50
2009 
2010  $9.00
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 585

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $8.50
2010  $2.25
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: See Above

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $1.25
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 502

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $3.00, $3.95
2010  $2.50
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 503

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $2.95
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 411

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $3.50, 2.25
2011  $2.63
2012  $
 

Number produced: 462

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $8.49, 3.50
2011  $6.50
2012  $

Any color variations in the scans are from the  scans.  The cachets for GT-4 Pacific are same and colors are the same.
 

Number produced: 426

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $1.00, $4.95
2009  $7.00
2010  $8.49, $10.25
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 420

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $7.16, $9.50
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $

Number produced: See Above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 408

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $45.64 McDivitt Autog
2011  $6.00
2012  $
 

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $3.00
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 404

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $4.95
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 403

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $3.00
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 473

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $19.95, $19.95, $19.95
2009  $9.99
2010  $40.00, $21.50
2011  $15.00
2012  $

Note the small maroon or blue rubber stamp that was applied to collector's envelopes after the flight was over.  Collectors wishing to have this rubber stamp applied to covers, sent their covers with SASE to Mr. Beck.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp and returned the covers to the collectors using their SASE. Keep in mind that not many covers have this stamp.
 

Any color variations in the scans are from the  scans.  The cachets for GT-4 Atlantic are same and colors are the same.

Note the small maroon, red or blue rubber stamp that was applied to collector's envelopes after the flight was over.  Collectors wishing to have this rubber stamp applied to covers, sent their covers with SASE to Mr. Beck.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp and returned the covers to the collectors using their SASE. Keep in mind that not very many covers have this stamp.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp to any covers the collector sent in, not just CREW covers.

 SEE MORE INFORMATION HERE

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $

Added 2009
Previously unlisted

 

This is the only Wasp cover with the GT-4 hand cancel known to exist. Very Rare!
 

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  %40.00
2011 
2012  $

Beck's cover log shows that 473 covers were printed for B540. For each of the space issues, Mr. Beck sent about 25 printed envelopes to the Navy.  These did not have the "B" number on the cover as shown on the right.  The 25 covers were a gift from Mr. Beck to the ship's Captain and crew for handling the batch of collector's covers.  That is why it is called a CREW cover. Most of the CREW covers were given to senior crew members or VIPs on the ship.  These people were not cover collectors and to them, the cover was just a memento. 

Most of these covers are forever lost and either destroyed or sitting in some box of old navy papers that will never be seen again by collectors. That is why these CREW covers are so RARE.

Est Value $100-125

Scan courtesy of Eddie Bizub from the collection of David Ball.

.
 

Number produced: 433

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010   $8.49
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 418

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $3.00
2010  $9.00
2011 
2012  $

Number produced: 408

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $3.95
2010 
2011  $9.50 w/CO autog
2012  $
 

Also see Beck B561 for the GT-5 cachet and USS Champlain cancel.

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $17.50
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $

Click on the very unique cover shown at right.  This cover collector sent Mr. Beck a brown colored envelope.  This is very unusual because most collectors preferred a high quality white or cotton bond envelope.  Seeing a brown one is very unusual and this may be one of a kind for the number 543.  This cover was sold on eBay by dealer Karl Hass.  Selling price was $22.05 in May 2006.
 

Prime Recovery Ship. GT-4 Cachet with GT-5 cancellation and date

Unusual Beck on brown envelope .

Number produced: 397

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $4.95
2009  $3.00
2010  $47.69 McDivitt autog
2011  $6.00
2012  $
 

Number produced: See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 393

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $5.20
2009  $3.00, $4.25
2010  $9.00, $9.00
2011 
2012  $

Number produced: 388

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $4.00
2010   $8.49
2011  $1.99
2012  $
 

Number produced: 385

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $7.50
2009  $4.00
2010  $9.49
2011 
2012  $ 
 

Number produced: 381

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $4.25
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 501

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011  $5.00
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011
2012  $  
 

Number produced: 484

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $2.75
2009  $2.75
2010  $4.24, $2.25
2011  $
2012  $ 
 

Number produced: 456

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $2.75, $4.29
2009  $2.75, $3.00, $4.14
2010  $3.50
2011  $7.00
2012  $1.25
 

Number produced: 568

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011
2012  $  
 

Number produced: 574

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011
2012  $  
 

Number produced: 567

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011
2012  $  
 

Number produced: 475

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $8.95 Conrad autopen autog
2009  $3.00
2010 
2011
2012  $ 

Shown are two examples of the same Beck 555 cover. Note that the (autopen) autograph was obtained by the collector and was not signed on the ship at time of recovery.

Any color variations in the scans are from scans.  The cachets are same and colors are the same.
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 465

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $4.95
2009 
2010  $4.24, $4.24
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 465

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $7.95
2009 
2010  $9.50, $9.50, $3.75
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 452

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $4.00, $4.95
2009 
2010  $4.24, $4.24
2011  $9.00
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $ 
 

Number produced: 427

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $7.95
2009 
2010  $8.49, $9.00
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 424

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $4.24, $4.24
2011  $1.99
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $3.50
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 515

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $11.26
2009 
2010  $16.50
2011  $15.00
2012  $
 

Note the small maroon, red or blue rubber stamp that was applied to collector's envelopes after the flight was over.  Collectors wishing to have this rubber stamp applied to covers, sent their covers with SASE to Mr. Beck.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp and returned the covers to the collectors using their SASE. Keep in mind that not very many covers have this stamp.  Mr. Beck applied the rubber stamp to any covers the collector sent in, not just CREW covers. We also know that Mr. Beck sold sets of the round rubber stamps to dealers and collectors that wanted to apply their own impressions.

 SEE MORE INFORMATION HERE

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $19.50
2010  $33.55
2011
2012  $  
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 492

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $1.00, $5.20
2009  $3.00
2010  $8.00
2011  $6.75, $9.00
2012  $
 

Number produced: See above

Number produced: 483

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $3.00
2010 
2011 
2012  $ 
 

Number produced: 476

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $10.49, $10.49
2009  $3.55
2010  $4.24, $4.24, $4.76
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 464

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $3.50
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011  $10.00
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $ 
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010  $5.50
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced:  460

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $6.12
2010  $8.49, $3.50
2011 
2012  $ 
 

Number produced: 454

eBay Prices Realized
2008  $9.38
2009  $4.00
2010  $8.49, $3.50
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced: 444

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $4.00
2010  $3.00, $3.00
2011 
2012  $ 
 

Number produced: 440

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $3.00
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Both covers shown at right are similar.  The bottom cover has the small round cachet that was applied by Morris Beck AFTER the covers were returned by the navy.  Collectors wishing the have the round cachet applied sent the serviced covers to Beck with a small service charge and a SASE to have the covers returned.  In total, few covers have these small and interesting cachets. 

 Note that Beck would apply the round cachets to any covers including those with the rubber stamp cachet applied by the Navy. See the example at right.
 

Correct cover for this number

The cover shown below is not a Beck cover.  For example only.

The Cover Above is NOT a BECK cover.  However, the small round cachet was applied by Beck.  This answers the question if Beck serviced only his own covers with the small round cachet.

SEE MORE HERE

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011
2012  $  
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009 
2010 
2011 
2012  $
 

Number produced:  See above

eBay Prices Realized
2008 
2009  $3.00, $8.00
2010 
2011  $1.99
2012  $
 

Home     Morris W. Beck Cover Basics      About this Web Site      Contact
Beck Space Cachet Designs     #6 USS Dace Overprint    #220 USS Lowry
   Cover Varieties Oddities  Beck's Messages  Beck's Personal Covers  Astronaut Autographs
1943-1970's Events     Nuclear Ships     Foreign    President Series     States Series    First Day Covers   

Numbered Series   About the Series  1-50   51-99 MA-8  S,100-150  151-200  201-250  251-299   300-350 MA-9
  351-402   403-455    456-514 GT-2    515-569 GT-3, GT-4, GT-5    570-621 GTA-6 GT-7    622-687 AS-201, GTA-8, GTA-9, GTA-10, AP-3, GTA-11  
688-769 AS-202, GTA-12, AS-204, AS-501, AS-502, AP-7     770-841 AP-8, AP-9, AP-10, AP-11, AP-12, AP-13, AP-14  
  842-899 AP-14, AP-15, AP-16, AP-17, SL-II, SL-III, SL-IV     900-951   952-1000 ASTP

Articles and Resources:
NEW Small Rubber Stamps on Space Covers  Apollo PRS Postmarked in Hawaii
ASTP USS New Orleans July 25, 1975 onboard Cover
How postage rates affected collecting  Beck Printing Log for Numbered Series 
GTA-8 USS Boxer  Why Different Quantities?  Beck 929 Hawkins
         Join the Space Unit  Join the USCS  Other Collector Links
  Updated Checklists Jan 2012   
 

Please note that the naval covers illustrated on this Web site are for reference only and not for sale.
This is a private Web site for the enjoyment of collectors of navy covers. 

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Please send comments, additions, corrections or questions to Owen R. Murray

Also see Owen's Photography Website for a monthly computer desktop calendar. 
Owen's original photography is used on a new calendar each month since 2000.

Copyright ©2003-2012 Owen R Murray.  All Rights Reserved        Revised: Wednesday February 01, 2012.