Definition of a First Day Cover? (FDC)
A First Day Cover is an envelope (normally specially designed) bearing newly issued postage stamps, postmarked on the first day that those stamps were placed on sale by the Post Office. Three main elements comprise every First Day Cover:
- The cover design - usually incorporating an illustration which will not normally be connected with the stamp issue
- The Cancellations (Postmarks) - which are often specially sponsored in connection with the issue
- The stamps (Issue) - it is customary to have a complete set (or at least those issued together on the same day)
The Post Office ('GPO' or 'Royal Mail' at various times in its history) made an envelope available for every commemorative set from the 1964 Shakespeare issue onwards. These were on sale to collectors who added the stamps and chose their own method of obtaining a postmark. Often the cover was posted in a box at the issuing Post Office, and received a cancellation stating 'First Day of Issue' with the Town Name as well. These are known as FDI cancels. A number of private producers printed their own envelopes, incorporating different designs. Some originally sold blank envelopes, others produced the entire cover.
These include:
FDI - as mentioned above
Special - (pictorial) or sponsored cancellations
CDS - 'Everyday' Post Office cancellations, 'Circular or Counter Date Stamp'
Slogans - often advertising or machine cancels and connected with the issue
Commemoratives - pictorial types with a theme, these are well known. The first GB Commemoratives were issued in 1924. Royal Mail now issue around 10 sets every year.
Definitives - the 'everyday' stamps (usually with a simple bust of the Queen of King). The issue dates of these are very complex and diverse, and were sometimes not widely announced.
Regionals - 'Country' stamps for Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man prior to their independent issues in 1969.
Postage Dues - affixed to underpaid items as instructions to the Postman or Clerk to collect a fee on delivery (usually double the prepaid rate). The last set of these was issued in 1993, and they have been discontinued.
Greetings Stamps - 1st Class rate, usually issued in a pack or booklet of £10, with additional labels.
Self Adhesive - an experimental issue in 1993, adopted for booklets a few years later, and general issues within the last 5 years. Eliminates the need for the wetting of gum.
Sometimes the cancellation will be linked with the design in another way. So called 'official' covers have a special type of link as they are usually sponsored by a company or organisation that has connections with the theme of the issue. The cancellation will be produced specifically for that cover and many are produced in very limited numbers.
Additionally many modern issues are sometimes available signed by famous people connected with the cover or stamp issue.
The value of an FDC is of course determined by supply as well as demand. The more and closer connections that there are between the elements (as above), the greater demand there will be from collectors.
Some themes are more popular than others, but the number produced will often be higher.:
In general, with issues of the last 25 years, sponsored special cancellations will be around in greater numbers than the ‘Normal’ Post Office cancellations: So ordinary cancels (Circular Date Stamp-‘CDS’) with a special connection are a sought-after collecting field.
It is important not to confuse these with FDC’s. The primary difference is that the date of the cancellation will be that of the event and not the issue date of the stamps.
Problems or Questions?
Email ernie@gbfdc.net