How often are the Rattlesnake Island Local Post stamps used for non-collector mail? I've collected Rattlesnake Island stamps for some years, and I'm glad to see the enthusiastic revival of the RILP. I have almost a complete set of the stamps and a decent number of the FDC's. But I've always been curious how frequently the stamps are used for mail coming off the island that isn't collector-contrived - either during Dr. Frackleton's time or this latest revival?
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In the 60's & 70's should be over a 1,000 envelopes a year from several sources. There would be outgoing from the year-round care takers, the Rattlesnake Island Club (RIC) would have a fair amount of out going mail to members and paying expenses, and staff, members, and visitors sending postcards. When Luscious McKelvey bought the island in 1989 and shut down the RILP, the amount of mail never recovered even though Dr. Frackelton restarted the RILP in 2005. Between email, the RIC book-keeper living on the mainland, and learning to do without mail for 16 years, it was never the same. I have been been steadily encouraging the staff and members to use the service. One interesting postcard that was sent by a restaurant employee was to her family in China.
Dave Gill
RILP-PMG
Grrrr. I wrote a lengthy response and lost it when trying to log in to post it. I will re-write it later today. Working on listing more interesting covers on eBay.
Dave Gill
RILP-PMG
Michael, I think that largely depends on the time period in the island's history in the past 60 years. I have some covers and postcards using the RILP stamps on mail coming from the island that was clearly not destined for collectors. But how much the inhabitants of RI used the stamps has never been clear to me. I'll be interested to read what Dave Gill has to say. He and I have had some conversations about encouraging residents and visitors there to use the stamps for outgoing mail. Steve Altic.