1976 Liberia First Day Cover, featuring a single stamp and an illustration of the Statue of Liberty, commemorating the U.S. Bicentennial

Key Points

• This product is a 1976 Liberia First Day Cover, featuring a single stamp and an illustration of the Statue of Liberty, commemorating the U.S. Bicentennial.
• It includes a 25-cent stamp depicting a map of the U.S. with symbols of freedom, postmarked on September 21, 1976, in Monrovia, Liberia.
• The cover, titled "Acclaiming the American Bicentennial and Our Traditional Bonds of Friendship," celebrates the 200th anniversary of American independence (1776–1976) and the historical ties between the U.S. and Liberia.
• As a collectible, it is likely valued between $5 and $15, depending on condition and market demand.

Product Overview

The 1976 Liberia First Day Cover is a philatelic item honoring the U.S. Bicentennial, marking 200 years of American independence. Featuring a blue illustration of the Statue of Liberty and a 25-cent stamp with a map of the U.S. and symbols of freedom, this cover reflects Liberia’s tribute to the "American Bicentennial and Our Traditional Bonds of Friendship." It’s a perfect addition for collectors of U.S. history, international philately, and Bicentennial memorabilia, offering a unique perspective on the deep historical connection between the U.S. and Liberia.

Historical Context

The U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 was a global celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, with many countries issuing stamps and covers to honor the occasion. Liberia, a West African nation founded in 1847 by freed African Americans with support from the American Colonization Society, has a unique historical tie to the U.S., making its participation in the Bicentennial particularly significant. The 1976 issuance of this first day cover, postmarked in Monrovia, Liberia’s capital, reflects the strong cultural and historical bonds between the two nations, as Liberia celebrated the U.S. milestone while acknowledging their shared history of freedom and independence.

Collectible Value

First day covers from the U.S. Bicentennial are popular among collectors for their historical significance and the variety of international perspectives they offer. This Liberia cover, with its clear postmark, thematic illustration, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $15, based on typical market trends for similar items. Its focus on the Bicentennial, combined with its issuance by Liberia—a country with a direct historical connection to the U.S.—enhances its appeal to collectors of U.S. history and international philately.

Unexpected Detail: Liberia’s Founding and U.S. Influence

An intriguing aspect of this cover is its reflection of Liberia’s unique founding history and its deep ties to the U.S. Liberia was established in 1822 by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for freed African Americans, with the first settlers arriving from the U.S. The country declared independence in 1847, modeling its constitution, flag, and government structure after those of the U.S. Monrovia, the capital, was named after U.S. President James Monroe, a supporter of the colonization effort. This cover, issued during the Bicentennial, underscores that shared history, as Liberia’s flag—featuring red and white stripes and a blue field with a white star, as depicted on the cover—mirrors the U.S. flag, symbolizing their "traditional bonds of friendship."

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the 1976 Liberia U.S. Bicentennial First Day Cover

This section provides a comprehensive examination of the 1976 Liberia First Day Cover, exploring its features, historical context, and collectible value. The cover, analyzed through the provided image, is a philatelic item that celebrates the U.S. Bicentennial while highlighting the historical ties between the U.S. and Liberia, making it a valuable piece for collectors of U.S. history and international stamps.

Product Description and Features

The 1976 Liberia First Day Cover is a collectible envelope designed to commemorate the U.S. Bicentennial, titled "Acclaiming the American Bicentennial and Our Traditional Bonds of Friendship." The cover features a blue illustration of the Statue of Liberty, a prominent symbol of American freedom, holding a torch aloft. Below the statue is an image of the Liberian flag, which closely resembles the U.S. flag with its red and white stripes and a blue field with a single white star, labeled "National Flag of Liberia – USA/Liberia." The text "First Day Cover" is printed in red at the top left.

Affixed to the cover is a single 25-cent stamp, depicting a map of the United States with three iconic symbols of American freedom: the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, and the Unification Monument (likely referring to a Liberian monument, though this may be a misnomer for a U.S. symbol like the Washington Monument). The stamp is labeled "American Independence Bicentennial Year 1976 – United States of America – Liberia 25c – Postage." The stamp is postmarked with a circular cancellation reading "First Day – 21 Sep 1976 – Monrovia, Liberia," confirming its first day of issue status. The cover’s condition appears excellent, with no visible tears, stains, or creases, preserving its visual and collectible value.

Historical Significance and Context

The U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 was a global celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776. Many countries issued stamps and first day covers to honor the occasion, reflecting the international impact of America’s independence and the shared values of freedom and self-determination. Liberia’s participation in the Bicentennial is particularly meaningful due to its unique historical connection to the U.S.

Liberia was founded in 1822 by the American Colonization Society, a group that aimed to resettle freed African Americans in Africa. The first settlers, known as Americo-Liberians, arrived from the U.S., and in 1847, Liberia declared independence, becoming Africa’s first republic. The country modeled its constitution, flag, and government structure after those of the U.S., and its capital, Monrovia, was named after U.S. President James Monroe, a supporter of the colonization effort. The Liberian flag, depicted on the cover, features 11 red and white stripes (representing the 11 signers of Liberia’s Declaration of Independence) and a blue field with a white star (symbolizing the country as a beacon of freedom in Africa), mirroring the design of the U.S. flag.

The issuance of this first day cover on September 21, 1976, in Monrovia reflects Liberia’s participation in the global celebration, as well as its deep cultural and historical ties to the U.S. The cover’s focus on the Statue of Liberty and other symbols of American freedom, alongside the Liberian flag, underscores the "traditional bonds of friendship" between the two nations, rooted in their shared history of seeking freedom and self-governance.

Collectible Value and Market Analysis

First day covers from the U.S. Bicentennial are popular among collectors for their historical significance and the variety of international perspectives they offer. The 1976 Liberia cover, with its clear postmark, thematic illustration, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $15, based on market trends for similar items. For example, Bicentennial first day covers from African nations like Liberia often sell on platforms like eBay or through stamp dealers in this price range, with variations depending on condition, rarity, and the popularity of the theme. The cover’s focus on the Bicentennial, its issuance by Liberia—a country with a direct historical connection to the U.S.—and its emphasis on shared symbols of freedom enhance its appeal to collectors of U.S. history and international philately.

Detailed Stamp Analysis

The 25-cent stamp on the cover is part of a 1976 Liberia series issued for the U.S. Bicentennial. The stamp features a map of the United States, with three iconic symbols of freedom superimposed on it:

• Liberty Bell: Located in Philadelphia, a symbol of American independence since it was rung to announce the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
• Statue of Liberty: A gift from France in 1886, symbolizing freedom and democracy, located in New York Harbor.
• Unification Monument: This label may be a misnomer; it likely refers to a U.S. monument like the Washington Monument, which symbolizes national unity, though Liberia has its own unification monuments tied to its history.

The stamp is labeled "American Independence Bicentennial Year 1976 – United States of America – Liberia 25c – Postage," using a red, white, and blue color scheme to reflect the patriotic theme. The 25-cent denomination reflects a standard postal rate in Liberia in 1976, likely for domestic or international postage. The stamp’s placement on the cover, along with the clear Monrovia postmark, enhances the item’s philatelic appeal.

Comparative Analysis with Other Collectibles

This cover is similar to the 1976 Mauritania, Mali, Maldives, and Luxembourg U.S. Bicentennial First Day Covers you previously provided, which also honored the Bicentennial but focused on Revolutionary War soldiers, symbolic imagery, Copley’s artwork, and Independence Hall, respectively (all valued at $5–$20). This Liberia cover, with its focus on the Statue of Liberty and shared symbols of freedom, offers a unique perspective by emphasizing the historical ties between the U.S. and Liberia, appealing to collectors interested in both nations’ histories. Compared to other Bicentennial memorabilia, such as U.S.-issued covers or commemorative coins, this Liberia cover provides a distinct international perspective. A U.S. Bicentennial coin might fetch $10–$50, while this cover offers a more affordable way to own a piece of the celebration. Its issuance by Liberia also adds a layer of rarity compared to more common U.S.-produced Bicentennial items.

Unexpected Historical Detail: Liberia’s Founding and U.S. Influence

An intriguing aspect of this cover is its reflection of Liberia’s unique founding history and its deep ties to the U.S. Liberia was established in 1822 by the American Colonization Society as a settlement for freed African Americans, with the first settlers arriving from the U.S. The country declared independence in 1847, becoming Africa’s first republic, and modeled its constitution, flag, and government structure after those of the U.S. Monrovia, the capital, was named after U.S. President James Monroe, a supporter of the colonization effort. The Liberian flag, depicted on the cover, features 11 red and white stripes and a blue field with a white star, symbolizing its connection to the U.S. flag and its role as a beacon of freedom in Africa. This cover, issued during the Bicentennial, underscores that shared history, celebrating the "traditional bonds of friendship" between the two nations, which were further strengthened by Liberia’s support for the U.S. during the Cold War.

Table: Summary of Key Features

Conclusion

The 1976 Liberia U.S. Bicentennial First Day Cover is a historically significant collectible that celebrates the 200th anniversary of American independence while highlighting the deep historical ties between the U.S. and Liberia. Its thematic illustration, clear postmark, and connection to the global celebration of the Bicentennial make it a standout piece for collectors of U.S. history and international philately. Whether you’re interested in the American Revolution, the U.S. Bicentennial, or the unique relationship between the U.S. and Liberia, this cover offers a unique blend of cultural and historical value, reflecting Liberia’s tribute to the "American Bicentennial and Our Traditional Bonds of Friendship."