Everything You Need to Know About First Day Covers (And How to Collect Them)

What is a First Day Cover?

A First Day Cover is an envelope (or post card) with a postage stamp canceled on the stamp’s issue date (first day it was available to the public).

What is a cachet?

Arrow points to the cachet on this Christmas-themed
First Day Cover featuring US #2165-66.

A cachet is an image or small piece of artwork sometimes added to a First Day Cover. The subject of the cachet relates in some way to the subject of the postage stamp on the cover.

What are the different First Day cancels?

2024 Radiant Star First Day Cover with killer bar cancel

Killer Bar – A simple, circular date cancel with four horizontal lines and “First Day of Issue”

Black and White Pictorial – A cancel with an image and text in black ink with date, city, stamp name, and “First Day of Issue”

2024 Constance Baker Motley First Day Cover with black and white pictorial cancel
2024 Bluegrass First Day Cover with digital color postmark

Digital Color Postmark (DCP) – A cancel with a colorful image related to the stamp subject as well as the usual text detailing issue date, city, and “First Day of Issue.”

What is a Fleetwood First Day Cover?

Fleetwood is one of the best names in the First Day Cover business. They have been making cachets since 1929 and are known for their Fleetwood watermark and fine linen-finish paper. Fleetwood First Day Covers are also known for their interesting and informative narratives on the backs.

Mystic Stamp Company purchased Fleetwood in 2006 and continues producing top-quality covers to the same standards Fleetwood is known for to this day. Fleetwood is the oldest First Day Cover producer still making covers.

What is an ArtCraft First Day Cover?

ArtCraft was a cachet maker established in 1939. They were known for their engraved cachets that became beloved by many First Day Cover collectors. The early ArtCraft covers are the most sought-after today, but later First Day Covers are also popular. Mystic Stamp Company purchased ArtCraft’s remaining First Day Cover stock (over 5 million covers) in 2019.

What is a Colorano Silk First Day Cover?

Colorano produced full-color First Day Covers with cachet designs printed on silk-like fabric surrounded by a luxurious gold border. After 40 years in business, Colorano sold its remaining stock of First Day Covers to Mystic Stamp Company in February 2016.

What is a Mystic First Day Cover?

Mystic Stamp Company produced its own brand of First Day Covers from 1992 to 2007. These covers featured commemorative US stamps ONLY. Similar to Fleetwood, they have specially designed cachets as well as stories on the back. When Mystic purchased Fleetwood, they discontinued making their own covers and began producing Fleetwood covers instead.

What is a classic First Day Cover?

Classic First Day Covers come from a wide range of sources and date from the 1920s to present. Classic First Day Covers may be addressed or unaddressed, and may or may not include a cachet.

What is a hand-painted First Day Cover?

Hand-painted First Day Covers are a sub-category of classic First Day Covers. They have cachets or full-cover artwork added directly to the cover by the artist. Dorothy Knapp is one of the most famous names in hand-painted cachets. Genuine examples of her works are highly sought-after today.

What is an unofficial First Day Cover?

An unofficial First Day Cover includes a postage stamp canceled on its first day of issue, but not in the designated first day city. Today, official First Day Covers must be canceled either at the postage stamp’s First Day of Issue ceremony or by mailing the First Day Cover to USPS Cancellation Services headquarters.

Can I make my own First Day Cover?

Why should I collect First Day Covers?

Collecting First Day Covers is fun! They are a mix of history (especially early First Day Covers) and artistry. Plus, you can customize your collecting experience however you want…

How do I collect First Day Covers?

There are an infinite number of ways you can collect First Day Covers. Here are a handful of ways to get started:

  • By subject (flowers, trains, animals, airplanes, etc.)
  • By issue date (day, month, year)
  • By first day city
  • By stamp category (commemorative, definitive/regular-issue, etc.)

Where can I buy First Day Covers?

There are many places you can buy First Day Covers, but (like postage stamps), be wary of scam artists or counterfeiters. It’s best to buy from a trusted dealer like Mystic or directly from the USPS. Of course, if you know a family member or friend getting rid of their collection, that’s also a great option!

What other collectible covers are there?

  • Special Event Covers – Not always First Day Covers, but postmarked on the day of a significant anniversary or other important event.
  • First Flight Covers – In addition to being First Day Covers, the postmarks on these covers also signify the first time a new airmail route was flown.
  • Inauguration Covers – Not usually First Day Covers, but postmarked on the day a new president is officially sworn in.
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