This Art Craft first day cover features the 6¢ U.S. Flag stamp issued July 4, 1968, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The cachet depicts the 1795-1818 fifteen-star flag flying over Fort McHenry, with Francis Scott Key and sailors on a ship in Baltimore harbor during the War of 1812.
The stamp honors the historic flag that inspired Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The design shows the flag with fifteen stars and stripes, the version that flew over the fort during the British bombardment on September 13-14, 1814.
Art Craft’s Historic Flags Series is noted for its detailed black-and-white illustrations and explanatory text. The cover includes the full inscription about the flag’s role in inspiring the national anthem.
A fine addition for collectors of U.S. flag stamps, War of 1812 postal history, or Art Craft cachets, this well-preserved FDC displays a crisp Pittsburgh postmark and attractive period artwork.
