{"product_id":"1961-civil-war-centennial-bombardment-of-fort-sumter-first-day-cover-1861-1961","title":"1961 Civil War Centennial – Bombardment of Fort Sumter First Day Cover | 1861-1961","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis historic 1961 United States First Day Cover commemorates the centennial of the Civil War with a dramatic cachet depicting the Bombardment of Fort Sumter, the event that sparked the conflict. Issued from Charleston, South Carolina, it is a powerful collectible for American history and Civil War enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eKey Points:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry\u003c\/strong\u003e: United States of America\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate of Issue\u003c\/strong\u003e: April 12, 1961\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCity of Cancellation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Charleston, S.C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStamp Value\u003c\/strong\u003e: 4¢\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme\u003c\/strong\u003e: Civil War Centennial 1861-1961 | Bombardment of Fort Sumter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical or Cultural Relevance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War, highlighting the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter that ignited four years of conflict\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated Market Value\u003c\/strong\u003e: $5–$12 USD, depending on condition and demand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eProduct Overview:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe Fort Sumter First Day Cover features a striking black-and-white illustrated cachet of the bombardment scene alongside the official Civil War Centennial stamp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Elements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge rectangular cachet showing the Bombardment of Fort Sumter with soldiers, cannons, and explosions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreen 4¢ Civil War Centennial stamp depicting a cannon at Fort Sumter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCircular Charleston postmark dated April 12, 1961, 9-AM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClassic “First Day of Issue” text and “Civil War Centennial 1861-1961” lettering with a stylized hat and laurel design by Art Craft\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppeal to Collectors:\u003c\/strong\u003e This cover is highly appealing to collectors of U.S. commemorative issues, Civil War history, and 1960s First Day Covers with strong historical cachets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eHistorical Context:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eOn April 12, 1861, Confederate forces fired on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, beginning the American Civil War. Exactly one hundred years later, the U.S. Postal Service issued this stamp and cover from the same location to commemorate the centennial. The 1961 series honored major events of the war over several years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eCollectible Value:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypical Market Value or Rarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Civil War Centennial covers from the opening day are moderately available but remain popular; clean examples with sharp Charleston cancellations typically range from $5–$12.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Would Be Interested:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmerican Civil War historians and collectors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eU.S. commemorative stamp enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors of Art Craft cacheted First Day Covers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInsights into the Recipient:\u003c\/strong\u003e The cover was addressed to E. Chaloupka at 3545 Clarence, Berwyn, Illinois. Berwyn is a historic Chicago suburb with a large Czech-American community in the mid-20th century; the surname Chaloupka is of Czech origin, suggesting the recipient may have been part of that vibrant immigrant heritage group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAdd this rare \u003cstrong\u003e1961 Civil War Centennial Fort Sumter\u003c\/strong\u003e First Day Cover to your collection today!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51302850035876,"sku":null,"price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/20260413134324.jpg?v=1776113098","url":"https:\/\/maplespringsllc.com\/products\/1961-civil-war-centennial-bombardment-of-fort-sumter-first-day-cover-1861-1961","provider":"Maple Springs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}