1961 Civil War Centennial – Bombardment of Fort Sumter First Day Cover | 1861-1961 -
This is an example of the 1961 Fort Sumter First Day Cover, nearly identical in design but addressed to a different recipient, offering insight into the distribution of these historic covers across the United States.
Key Points:
- Country: United States of America
- Date of Issue: April 12, 1961
- City of Cancellation: Charleston, S.C.
- Stamp Value: 4¢
- Theme: Civil War Centennial 1861-1961 | Bombardment of Fort Sumter
- Historical or Cultural Relevance: Commemorates the opening shots of the American Civil War at Fort Sumter
- Estimated Market Value: $5–$12 USD, depending on condition and demand
Product Overview:
Identical cachet and stamp to the previous Fort Sumter cover, with the same dramatic bombardment illustration and Charleston postmark.
Design Elements:
- Same rectangular cachet of the Bombardment of Fort Sumter
- Green 4¢ Fort Sumter stamp
- Charleston, S.C. postmark dated April 12, 1961, 9-AM
- Art Craft cachet design with “Civil War Centennial 1861-1961”
Appeal to Collectors: Valuable for building matched sets of the same issue sent to different addresses.
Historical Context:
Part of the multi-year U.S. Civil War Centennial commemoration that ran from 1961 to 1965.
Collectible Value:
Typical Market Value or Rarity: Similar to the first example; slight variations in address and condition affect individual appeal.
Who Would Be Interested:
- Civil War collectors seeking multiple examples
- Students of 1960s postal history and cover distribution
Insights into the Recipient: Addressed to Mr. J. P. Hussey, Jr. at Hussey Manufacturing Company, North Berwick, Maine. The Hussey family operated a manufacturing business in Maine, indicating the cover reached a small industrial town in New England, showing how these national commemorative covers were collected by business owners and families across diverse regions of the country.
Add this rare 1961 Civil War Centennial Fort Sumter First Day Cover to your collection today!