Robert Rank – Local Post Covers

Cape Kennedy Local Post / Satellite Beach Local Post / JFK Space Center Local Post

According to ‘First Days’ magazine (Jan-Feb 1965), these local post stamps were made by Robert Rank. It was possible to obtain the stamp(s) on a first day cover by sending in a self-addressed envelope along with payment and enough space on the left-hand-side of the cover for the stamp and postmark. The first issue was 22nd Nov 1964 and the last issue i’ve seen dates from 1968. My collection of these interesting items is shown below, but firstly i’ll show some historical documents from Robert Rank about his Local Post issues.

Firstly, here is a typed (possibly a draft?) announcement that Robert Rank sent to Joe Fitzpatrick of Space Craft covers. It is undated but is from sometime before his first local post issue. Interestingly, it mentions various other FL-based local posts which never eventuated (as far as I know), including Merritt Island Local Post; Eau Gallie Local Post; Patrick AFB Local Post and Melbourne Local Post.

Here is another letter sent from Robert Rank to Joe Fitzpatrick in September 1964 along with a proposed advertisement for his “velvet” covers and a press release and for his new Local Post issues. This letter also explains that Bob Whitney was in charge of servicing the covers, while Robert Rank provided the Local Post stamps.

Here is a double-sided newsletter from Robert Rank, dated 22nd Nov 1964:

Finally, these snippets were taken from a different flyer (undated but definitely from 1965), advertising Robert Rank’s new Local Post issues:

ROBERT RANK’S LOCAL POST ISSUES

22nd Nov 1964 (10 x Cape Kennedy Local Post stamps, 10 x Satellite Beach Local Post stamps):

29th Jan 1965 (10 x Cape Kennedy Local Post stamps, 10 x Satellite Beach Local Post stamps):

14th Feb 1965:

18th Feb 1965:

26th Jun 1965:

2nd Jul 1965:

10th Oct 1965:

31st Oct 1965:

22nd Nov 1965:

28th Nov 1965:

12th Dec 1965:

20th Jan 1966:

16th Mar 1966:

9th Apr 1966:

Proof sheet for later 1966 issues, including hand-written notes by Robert Rank. I don’t believe he did have these issues re-printed, as all the examples i’ve seen on cover look identical to these proof sheet versions, including the ‘lousy fleshtones’, ‘blotchy red’, ‘off center’ elements, small 10c value on SB ‘Flag Day’, etc.