Stamp Art: The Art of ‘Covers’ project

The Stamp Art, Art of ‘Covers’ project of Limited Edition GB First Day Covers and reply cards of 1883 to 2015 presents an infomative and educational showcase of unique and interesting moments captured in a blend of design pictorials with postage stamps and cancellations of the time. The Artwork Layouts display these unique works from which a selection number of ‘Limited Edition’ Fine Artwork prints are available for sale in the Stamp Art Gallery Shop, with ‘Covers’ from 1976 onwards are Only Available for Private Commission’s for Exhibition’s and Corporate Display, in large format artworks with accompanying messaging are available by request. Please contact info@stampartist.co.uk. for more information.

The Stamp Art focus on GB Postal Covers, uses specially selected First Day Covers of importance as Stamp Art Displays, including postage stamps and limited edition covers and postage marks from around the world.

A first day of issue cover or first day cover (FDC) is a postage stamp on a cover, postal card stamped envelope franked on the first day the issue is authorized for usewithin the country or territory of the stamp-issuing authority. Covers that are postmarked at sea or their next port of call will carry a Paquebot postmark. There will usually be a first day of issue postmark frequently a pictorial cancellation, indicating the city and date where the item was first issued, and “first day of issue” is often used to refer to this postmark. Depending on the policy of the nation issuing the stamp, official first day postmarks may sometimes be applied to covers, weeks or months after the date indicated.

Postal authorities may hold a first day ceremony to generate publicity for the new issue, with postal officials revealing the stamp, and with connected persons in attendance, such as descendants of the person being honored by the stamp. The ceremony may also be held in a location that has a special connection with the stamp’s subject, such as the birthplace of a social movement, or at a stamp show. It was later decided that an adhesive label should be used to prevent forgeries and mis-use of the postal service and the Penny Black stamp was born.

It was officially released for sale on 6 May 1840 however, several post offices that received the stamps prior to that date released the stamps early. The City of Bath is known for releasing the stamps on 2 May 1840. Here began the very first First Day Covers.

Event Covers
Event covers, also known as commemorative covers, instead of marking the issuance of a stamp, commemorate events. A design on the left side of the envelope (a “cachet”) explains the event or anniversary being celebrated. Ideally the stamp or stamps affixed relate to the event. Cancels are obtained either from the location (e.g., Cape Canaveral, Anytown) or, in the case of the United States, from the Postal Service’s Cancellation Services unit in Kansas City.

Philatelic Cover
Philatelic covers are envelope prepared with a stamp(s), addressed and sent through the mail delivery system to create a collectible item. Information about philatelic covers is available online in catalogs and collector websites.

Noteable First Day Covers
Computer vended postage stamps issued by Neopost had first-day-of-issue ceremonies sponsored by the company, not by an official stamp-issuing entity. Personalised postage stamps of different designs are sometimes also given first-day-of-issue ceremonies and cancellations by the private designer.

The Stamp Art – Art of ‘Covers’ project showcase presents, a selection of first day covers presented as modern stamp artworks for the art enthusiast, incorporating a collection of select and limited edition commemorative first day covers and reply card material with vibrant colours and designs.

Commemorating ART in the 21st Century displaying rich colour with a display of Henry Moore GB Postal Stamps. The Cover is chosen for its relationship
to Stamp Art displayed as the Commemorative First Day
of issue celebrating ART for 21st century. By Tino

The Commemorative first day of issue cover celebrating the Penny Black. Chosen for its limited edition value and vivid colours of Blush Rose, Prussian Blue and Black. A beautiful image printing of the young Queen Victoria combines the issue of the Penny Black by bringing together
the colours of the 18th Century. By Tino

The Commemorative 400th Anniversary First Day cover issue of Indigo Jones. Chosen for the fantastic printing of The Indigo Jones postal stamps which reminds us of the value of having ‘indigo’ colour in our lives. By Tino

The first day of issue Fire Service Commemorative cover.
Chosen for the wonderful variety of Red colour on the cover
against the Fine Exotic Colours used in the postage stamps. By Tino

The 62nd Inter-Parliamentary conference issue includes an award winning design and fresh purple and cyan blue postage stamp. Chosen for its unique issue as the cover design theme is a one off focus for
first day cover issues at the time. By Tino

The return to Colditz in Aid of The Red Cross Official Commemorative Cover. Chosen for its memorable focus of WW11 Germany with an important focus of the importance of The Red Cross during this campaign. The colours of green shades, blue and pillar box red and the hand drawn image of the colditz prison displayed in a highly artistic first day cover and german postal stamp. By Tino

The celebration of the House of Windsor first day cover issue. Chosen for its cover image of Windsor Castle and the GB £1 postage stamps in a block of 6 including the sheet value of £100.00, with a fine cancellation from Windsor.
By Tino

The Celebration of British Architecture in 1970 captivates the time in a blend of wonderful pastel shades. Chosen for the variety of colours and quiant drawing with matching stamps displaying the different types of architectural build styles of the past with a lovely ‘Bermondsey’ address. By Tino

The 1883 QV Post Card with Half Penny Stamp printed in vermillion red. Chosen for its magical keepsake and sympathetic look, showing off
the linen colour of the time. By Tino

The commemorative ‘votes for women’ cover of the centenary of the suffragettes movement, displayed using 3 x designs including image with text,
2 x GB stamps and cancellations: Chosen for its topical and important message of changes to women’s rights through the ages and for capturing the colours of the time when the changes took place. The cover is a limited edition cover of 100 with a Fine ‘Berkhamstead’ cancellation. By Tino

Conclusion
First day covers (FDCs) are collectible envelopes with a newly issued postage stamp canceled on its first day of sale. They are special because they capture a specific moment in postal history, often commemorating significant events, anniversaries, or cultural themes. The combination of the stamp, postmark, and often a special design (cachet) makes them unique and desirable to collectors and make wonderful Stamp Artworks for owners to admire and debate.

Private commission for exhibition’s and corporate display, in large format artworks with accompanying messaging are available by request. Please contact info@stampartist.co.uk. for more information.

Fine Art Limited Edition & Numbered Prints

Visit The Stamp Art Shop to Explore A full range of
Fine Art Limited Edition Prints for sale.
Click the Image to go to the Shop.

* Origininal Stamp Artworks.
* Unique Fine Art Stamp Art Reproductions.
* Stamp Artworks with Fine Mint Stamps within the Artworks.