This 1972 First Day Cover features the 8¢ Colonial American Craftsmen stamp issued July 4, 1972, in Williamsburg, Virginia. The cachet, designed by Jackson and Sweeney, depicts a colonial wig maker at work beneath a bold red-and-white striped banner, with the inscription “WIGMAKER” and “BICENTENNIAL ERA.”
The stamp honors the skilled artisans of early America whose trades supported daily life and commerce in the colonies. Issued during the approach to the 1976 Bicentennial, the series celebrated the hands-on crafts that helped shape the nation’s identity and economy two centuries earlier.
A notable detail is the cachet’s vertical layout and the prominent red cross-and-stripe motif that frames the wig-maker illustration, giving the cover strong visual appeal for topical collectors of colonial trades or Bicentennial issues.
In fine condition with a crisp Williamsburg, VA first-day cancel, this cover makes an attractive addition to any Bicentennial, crafts, or American history collection.
