This 1976 First Day Cover features the 13¢ U.S. Olympics stamp issued for the XXI Olympiad in Montreal, postmarked on the first day of issue, July 16, 1976, in Lake Placid, New York. The colorful cachet depicts a sprinting athlete framed by the Olympic rings and the text “XXI OLYMPIAD MONTREAL 1976.”
The 1976 Summer Games marked Canada’s first time hosting the Olympics and came during a period of heightened international interest in the Games following the 1972 Munich tragedy. The stamp’s design, showing a stylized runner against the Olympic rings, celebrated both the Montreal Summer Games and the broader spirit of athletic competition.
A notable detail is the choice of Lake Placid, New York—future site of the 1980 Winter Olympics—as the official first-day city, linking two Olympic host locations on a single cover. The cachet artwork and “FIRST DAY OF ISSUE” inscription add strong visual appeal for collectors.
A fine addition to any Olympics or modern U.S. topical collection, this cover displays fresh color and a clear, well-struck postmark.
