This 1976 First Day Cover features a horizontal strip of three 13¢ Spirit of '76 commemorative stamps, postmarked Pasadena, California on January 1, 1976. The cachet reproduces Archibald M. Willard's iconic 1875 painting with a Thomas Paine quote and is marked Official First Day Cover * Philadelphia '76.
Issued during the U.S. Bicentennial, the stamps honor the American Revolution's fighting spirit. The design captures the drummer, fifer, and flag-bearer advancing through battle, symbolizing the determination of the Continental Army in 1776.
A notable detail is the cover's dual reference: while the cachet celebrates Philadelphia '76, the actual first-day cancel is from Pasadena, CA, where these particular stamps received their official first-day postmark.
This cover makes an attractive addition to any Bicentennial, Revolutionary War, or classic U.S. FDC collection, with clean strikes and vibrant cachet artwork.
