First Day Cover and Postage Stamps – Issue Date September 23, 1978
Who remembers spending hours playing with model trains like this one? This sleek steam locomotive was made by Lionel Manufacturing Company in 1950 and features the 4-4-2-wheel configuration. This means it has four wheels in the front, four in the middle, and two in the back. Many of you model train enthusiasts will know that the wheel configuration identifies the size of the locomotive.
Have you ever heard of first day covers and first day of issue stamps? First day covers are stamped envelopes or postcards with a postmarked postage stamp on the first day of issue authorized for use. With the postmark applied, it prevents the postage stamp from being reused, but also indicates the city and date where the item was first issued, and so first day of issue refers to the postage stamp bearing this postmark.
Before 1840, to post a letter was expensive, and usually paid for by the person receiving the letter instead of sending it! In January of 1840, a uniform postmark was released allowing for a universal penny postage rate that was paid for and applied when the letter was sent. This helped make mailing more affordable for all. However, the postage was changed to have an adhesive label to prevent forgeries and misuse, and the Penny Black stamp was created. It was officially released in May 1840, and became the very first First Day Cover.
See more Artifacts of the Week
