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First Day of Issue Programs 1953-2019

MS 048

Historical Note

For nearly every United States Postal Service (USPS) stamp issued, a “First Day Ceremony” is held to introduce the stamp to the world and launch its sale. These ceremonies are usually scheduled to take place in a location related to the stamp; for example, the birthplace of a person depicted on the stamp, or a state that produces an item depicted on the stamp. A national USPS representative, a local postmaster, and persons related to the subject matter or the design and production of the stamp often attend. Occasionally, multiple First Day Ceremonies will be held for the same stamp, as was the case with 2003’s First Flight stamp, the first day issue of which was celebrated in Dayton, Ohio and Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina; both places have connections to the Wright Brothers’ famous flight.

Programs for the ceremonies contain information such as the date, location, attendees. The stamp being celebrated is usually affixed to the program and canceled at the event. Attendees will sometimes autograph programs as well

According to the American Ceremony Program Society (a philatelic group interested in the collection of these programs), the first known program was for the Booker T. Washington stamp issued on 7 April 1940, although some checklists count the 26 August 1936 Susan B. Anthony stamp ceremony's program as the first.

Scope and Content Note

This collection contains programs for the first day of issue of U.S. postage stamps, postal cards, and other United States Postal Service (USPS)-issued material. Most of the programs were designed and printed by the USPS. The entire United States is represented in this collection. Programs from ceremonies taking place in Arizona are first placed in the Special Events Collection (MS 033), then, duplicates are placed here.

A checklist of programs held in this collection is kept by the library director.

Arrangement Note

Restrictions

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Postal History Foundation, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Related Material

Arizona Special Events Collection (MS 033)

Separated Materials

Duplicate programs of events that happened in Arizona are first placed in Arizona Special Events Collection (MS 033) and duplicates placed here.

Access Terms

Administrative Information

Custodial History

This collection is curated by the archivist with programs donated to the Postal History Foundation over the years.

Preferred Citation

First Day of Issue Programs. Postal History Foundation. Tucson, Arizona.

Processing Information

Processed by Valerie Kittell in 2015. Updated by volunteer Cosette Hutton and Valerie Kittell in November-December 2016. Updated again by volunteer Cosette Hutton and Valerie Kittell in January 2020.

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