A WORLD OF STORIES

First Day Covers

A moment in postal history, preserved on an envelope.

A first day cover is an envelope or other postal cover bearing a stamp cancelled on its first day of issue. Some were prepared by postal services or collectors, while others travelled through the post. Cachets, cancellations and addresses can provide additional context about an issue and its reception.

Browse first day covers from different places and periods, and look closely at the relationship between stamp, cancellation and cover.