Numbered Limited Edition RARE - Sports Memorabilia

Highly Collectible * United States Postal Service Sports Mat - - Baseball Houston Astros * Roger Clemens * 8 x 10 Color Photo * Hand Cancelled Unique Cover / FDC Houston, TX - OCT 3 2004 * Numbered COA on Hologram Professionally Acid Free Double Matted * Frame Frame

there may be some glare from the sun on the sealed plastic enclusure

see enlarged SCAN, below

Issued By
Size l x h (cm)	acid free double matted, heavy board backed -- approx. -- 40.7 x 30.6 cm in sealed unopened original heavy plastic retail envelope [see PIC, above]
Team and Players	Houston Astros Roger Clemens
About My Limited Edition U.S.P.S. Sports Mats	I have been stashing away full sheets of commemorative stamps and other philatelic items for over 45 years -- Evelio did too -- for no other reason except that we liked the designs -- they depict subjects that we were interested in -- sports, fossils, animals, plants, history, famous people, science, technology and art -- stamp collecting is an easy and fun way for kids from 8 to 68 to learn about geography, as well as the subjects depicted on the postage stamps. The United States Postal Service started selling Limited Edition photographs accompanied by an associated special one-day-only hand stamped cover [a postal term for envelope] dedicated to special events, stamp issues, and what they call Sports Mats in about 2002. These Sports Mats highlight a player [and in some cases the team or several players], apparently on some significant date relative to the team and player/s depicted. They are all professionally DOUBLE matted using acid free board -- -- the surround / border of the photo and cover have beveled edges, the same costly methods used by upscale framing shops to prepare art work for a custom frame of the customer's choice. This series of Sports Mats was obtained for me over the past few years by a friend who does my postal runs for me when he can get out of work, usually in duplicate, and what I am offering is my spare -- not all post offices carry them, and the ones that do, usually seem to have only a couple models available, and they can't get more of the same presentation -- they cost him $19.99 / each -- I checked the USPS web site and these things are NOT listed anywhere. My pal doesn't charge me for his help, which is super kewl. All are in proverbial MINT condition, and stashed as safely as I do with absolutely everything. These Sports Mats were only issued on a single day and are extremely difficult to find! Listen to your seller talking to YOU, personally, about his kewl items while you are reading about this one
The Photograph	note the crisp beveled surfaces of the professional acid free double matting there may be some glare of the scanner on the unopened / sealed plastic packaging
The Special One Day ONLY Hand Cancelled Cover & Stamp	the special illustrated business size cover / envelope note the crisp beveled surfaces of the professional acid free double matting and the unique one-day-only hand cancellation there may be some glare of the scanner on the unopened / sealed plastic packaging
Limited Edition Number on Hologram	Number on Hologram - DB301723615 two things make this a valuable Limited Edition sports collectible -- 1) the unique registration number of the officially licensed photograph, stated above, on the Hologram printed on the lower right of the photo, and although there are perhaps a couple hundred similar photographs, each has a different number -- and 2) the one-day-only hand cancellation on the First Day Cover, which commemorates some special achievement of the player/s and/or his team on that particular date and/or at that location -- there may be several hundred of that particular style envelope design bearing that specific cancellation date and/or special cachet -- you may find this and other common stamp collecting terms and definitions at STAMPS.
About This Sports Mat	WOWSERS! This is the ultimate classy gift for yourself, for your hubby, family member, business associate or special friend who is an Astros fan, combining the splendor of the full size official sports photograph with the uniqueness of the special postmarked Houston Astros First Day Cover, or FDC, a particular postal format which philatelic connoisseurs worldwide collect. The above SCANs may not be crystal clear because the color photo and FDC are beneath the double mat and enclosed in the plastic packaging, NOT flat against my scanner platten -- they are MUCH nicer than shown. Imagine if you could get Roger or the other players depicted to sign your unique sports memorabilia item -- it's value would skyrocket overnight! The reverse of the backing board is grayish, without printing -- ready for framing and display on the walls of your home, office or super kewl in your dorm room! This fabulous Limited Edition sports collectible item will be securely sent between boards for protection against possible bending / damage in transit, but I always suggest that the lucky winner get insurance just in case -- see below for my shipping information. The original issue price was -- $19.99. on back of packaging Unique sports memorabilia in EXCELLENT+ Condition !! For more information about me, check out my YardSaleNet.net PROFILE Please look at my other YardSaleNet items while you are here -- - I may have specialized rare and unusual Antiquarian books listed, artist and craft supplies, as well stamp / sports items, TV Memorabilia, Limited Edition Teddy Bears & Dolls, fine art works, antique, toy, jewelry, and specialized art references (most with estimated prices listed, just what a collector / appraiser needs!) -- as always, at a super low price -- MULTIPLE purchases usually save on shipping! God willing, I hope to be listing treasures of all kinds throughout 2007 in various categories for many age groups and interests -- several are one of a kind, so do not miss these fantastic buying opportunities ! Discounts given for multiple purchases ! For questions about this item, please contact -- -->> Adopt a Sphynx Kitten My Cigars & Goodies on -->> YardSaleNet.net My Closeout Deals & Business Property -->> Personal Sales My offerings on -- -- Singapore Mis cosas en -- -- Canary Islands, Spain My items on -- -- eBay GOOD LUCK IN YOUR BUYING -- GOD BLESS!

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