{"product_id":"1961-kansas-statehood-centennial-first-day-cover-council-grove-kansas","title":"1961 Kansas Statehood Centennial – First Day Cover | Council Grove, Kansas","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis vibrant 1961 United States First Day Cover celebrates the 100th anniversary of Kansas statehood. Featuring a colorful cachet with the state capitol building, a sunflower, and pioneer scenes, plus the official 4¢ stamp, it is a classic collectible for statehood history, Midwest Americana, and 1961 centennial enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🧾 Key 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: May 10, 1961\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCity of Cancellation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Council Grove, Kansas\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: Kansas Statehood Centennial | 1861–1961\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical or Cultural Relevance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Marks the centennial of Kansas’s admission to the Union on January 29, 1861, as the 34th state, highlighting its role in the struggle over slavery and westward expansion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated Market Value\u003c\/strong\u003e: $6–$15 USD, depending on condition and demand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🖼️ Product Overview:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe 1961 Kansas Statehood Centennial First Day Cover displays a detailed cachet with the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka, a large sunflower, and historic pioneer scenes including a covered wagon and Post Office Oak. The matching 4¢ brown stamp features a sunflower and pioneer figures, canceled by the Council Grove first day postmark and a special “Kansas Midway U.S.A.” shield cancel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Elements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCachet with Kansas State Capitol, sunflower, and pioneer\/wagon train illustrations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOfficial 4¢ “Kansas Statehood 1861–1961” stamp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCircular Council Grove, Kans. postmark dated May 10, 9 A.M., 1961\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecial “Kansas Midway U.S.A.” shield pictorial cancel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“Commemorating Kansas Centennial” lettering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppeal to Collectors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for collectors of U.S. statehood centennials, Midwest and Kansas history, sunflower topical stamps, or 1961 commemorative First Day Covers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e📚 Historical Context:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIssued on May 10, 1961, in Council Grove, Kansas (a key stop on the Santa Fe Trail), this First Day Cover celebrates Kansas’s admission as the 34th state on January 29, 1861. Kansas’s path to statehood was deeply tied to the national debate over slavery, and “Bleeding Kansas” became a precursor to the Civil War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e💎 Collectible Value:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypical Market Value or Rarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Statehood centennial covers from 1961 are popular among regional and topical collectors. Clean examples typically sell in the $6–$15 range.\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\u003eCollectors of U.S. statehood and centennial philately\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKansas and Midwest history enthusiasts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFans of sunflower and pioneer-themed stamps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeneral First Day Cover collectors focusing on 1961 issues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe cachet highlights both the modern State Capitol and historic Post Office Oak (a famous Santa Fe Trail landmark where mail was left in a tree). The sunflower, Kansas’s state flower, dominates the stamp design. Issued in Council Grove, the cover ties directly to the state’s pioneer heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAdd this rare \u003cstrong\u003eKansas Statehood Centennial\u003c\/strong\u003e First Day Cover to your collection today!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51296673038500,"sku":null,"price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/20260406112836.jpg?v=1775500945","url":"https:\/\/maplespringsllc.com\/products\/1961-kansas-statehood-centennial-first-day-cover-council-grove-kansas","provider":"Maple Springs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}