This 1964 Artmaster cachet First Day Cover features the 5¢ William Shakespeare commemorative stamp issued on the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s birth. The cover bears a block of four stamps cancelled in Stratford, Connecticut on August 14, 1964, the official first day of issue.
Shakespeare’s enduring influence on literature, theater, and the English language made the quadricentennial a major cultural event. The stamp’s classical portrait design, drawn from the Droeshout engraving, was released nationwide to honor the playwright’s contributions to drama and poetry.
The Artmaster cachet depicts a striking profile of Shakespeare alongside an illustration of his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, complete with quill and inkwell, tying the artwork directly to the anniversary theme.
The cover is addressed to collector Murray Ludmer in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, a common destination for mid-century FDCs that reflects the active philatelic community of the era.
A clean, well-centered block and attractive two-tone cachet make this an appealing addition for Shakespeare, literature, or Artmaster topical collections.
