1990 Great Britain First Day Cover, featuring a single stamp and an illustration themed "Early Attempts to See into Space."

Key Points

• This product is a 1990 Great Britain First Day Cover, featuring a single stamp and an illustration themed "Early Attempts to See into Space."
• It includes a 26-pence stamp depicting early astronomical instruments, postmarked on October 16, 1990, in Edinburgh by the British Philatelic Bureau.
• The cover is part of a series celebrating the history of astronomy, focusing on early astronomers and their tools, such as initial telescopes, to explore celestial mysteries.
• As a collectible, it is likely valued between $5 and $15, depending on condition and market demand.

Product Overview

The 1990 Great Britain First Day Cover is a philatelic item celebrating the history of astronomy with the theme "Early Attempts to See into Space." Featuring an intricate illustration of a historical celestial map and a 26-pence stamp showcasing early astronomical instruments, this cover highlights the pioneering efforts of astronomers to understand the cosmos. Issued by the British Philatelic Bureau on October 16, 1990, in Edinburgh, it’s a perfect addition for collectors of British stamps, space history, and scientific memorabilia, offering a unique glimpse into the early days of astronomical discovery.

Historical Context

The 1990 issuance of this first day cover aligns with a period of heightened interest in space and astronomy, following significant milestones like the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope in April 1990, which revolutionized our understanding of the universe. The cover’s theme, "Early Attempts to See into Space," reflects a retrospective look at the foundations of modern astronomy, honoring the astronomers of the 16th to 18th centuries who used rudimentary telescopes to study the heavens. This period saw groundbreaking discoveries, such as Galileo Galilei’s observations of Jupiter’s moons in 1610 and Isaac Newton’s development of the reflecting telescope in 1668. The cover, part of a British series on astronomy, celebrates these early efforts, connecting historical scientific achievements with contemporary advancements in space exploration.

Collectible Value

First day covers from Great Britain, especially those issued by the British Philatelic Bureau, are popular among collectors for their quality and historical themes. This 1990 cover, with its clear postmark, detailed illustration, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $15, based on typical market trends for similar items. Its focus on the history of astronomy, combined with its issuance during a significant year for space exploration, enhances its appeal to collectors of British stamps, space history, and scientific memorabilia.

Unexpected Detail: The Celestial Map and Early Astronomy

An intriguing aspect of this cover is its illustration, which appears to be inspired by historical celestial maps, such as those created by astronomers like Johannes Bayer or John Flamsteed in the 17th century. The map depicts the solar system with planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Earth, surrounded by zodiac constellations such as Scorpio, Libra, and Pisces. These maps were not only scientific tools but also works of art, often used to teach astronomy and astrology. The cover’s theme, "Astronomers’ earliest eyes into the heavens, initial telescopes offered clues to celestial mysteries," highlights the transition from naked-eye observations to the use of telescopes, a pivotal moment in scientific history. This period laid the groundwork for modern astronomy, leading to discoveries that challenged long-held beliefs, such as the geocentric model of the universe, and paved the way for the heliocentric model proposed by Copernicus and later confirmed by Galileo.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the 1990 Great Britain "Early Attempts to See into Space" First Day Cover

This section provides a comprehensive examination of the 1990 Great Britain 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 history of astronomy, making it a valuable piece for collectors of British stamps, space history, and scientific themes.

Product Description and Features

The 1990 Great Britain First Day Cover is a collectible envelope designed to celebrate the history of astronomy under the theme "Early Attempts to See into Space." The cover features a detailed illustration of a historical celestial map, depicting the solar system with planets labeled as Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Earth, surrounded by zodiac constellations such as Scorpio, Libra, and Pisces. The map includes artistic elements like a radiant sun at the bottom and stylized representations of the constellations, reflecting the aesthetic of 17th-century celestial charts. The text "Early Attempts to See into Space – Astronomers’ earliest eyes into the heavens, initial telescopes offered clues to celestial mysteries" is printed below the illustration in blue.

Affixed to the cover is a single 26-pence stamp, part of a 1990 British series on astronomy. The stamp depicts early astronomical instruments, including a telescope, an armillary sphere, and a diagram of planetary orbits, set against a starry background with a comet-like object. The stamp is labeled "26p" and features a silhouette of Queen Elizabeth II in the top right corner. It is postmarked with a circular cancellation reading "British Philatelic Bureau – First Day of Issue – 16 Oct 1990 – Edinburgh," 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 1990 issuance of this first day cover coincides with a significant year in space exploration, as the Hubble Space Telescope was launched in April 1990, marking a new era in astronomical observation. The cover’s theme, "Early Attempts to See into Space," takes a historical perspective, honoring the astronomers of the 16th to 18th centuries who laid the groundwork for modern astronomy. This period saw the development of the telescope, with key figures like Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) using early refracting telescopes to observe Jupiter’s moons in 1610, and Isaac Newton (1643–1727) inventing the reflecting telescope in 1668, which improved image quality by using mirrors instead of lenses. These early instruments allowed astronomers to challenge the geocentric model of the universe, confirming the heliocentric model proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus in 1543 and providing evidence for the laws of planetary motion later formulated by Johannes Kepler.

The cover is part of a 1990 British series on astronomy, likely issued to celebrate both historical and contemporary achievements in the field. The timing of the series reflects a broader cultural interest in space during the late 20th century, driven by events like the Apollo moon landings in the 1960s and 1970s, the Voyager missions in the 1970s and 1980s, and the launch of Hubble in 1990. By focusing on early astronomers and their tools, the cover bridges the past and present, highlighting the enduring human quest to understand the cosmos.

Collectible Value and Market Analysis

First day covers issued by the British Philatelic Bureau are highly regarded among collectors for their quality, design, and historical themes. The 1990 "Early Attempts to See into Space" cover, with its clear postmark, detailed illustration, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $15, based on market trends for similar items. This valuation aligns with the previously described 1991 Great Britain covers featuring Thomas Bewick (valued at $5–$15), reflecting a consistent price range for British first day covers from this period. British first day covers from the 1990s 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 history of astronomy, its issuance during a significant year for space exploration, and its detailed design enhance its appeal to collectors of British stamps, space history, and scientific memorabilia.

Detailed Stamp Analysis

The 26-pence stamp on the cover is part of a 1990 Great Britain series on astronomy. The stamp features early astronomical instruments, including:

• A refracting telescope, similar to those used by Galileo in the early 17th century.
• An armillary sphere, a model of the celestial sphere used to track the positions of stars and planets.
• A diagram of planetary orbits, illustrating the mathematical principles of celestial motion.

The stamp also includes a comet-like object and a starry background, emphasizing the celestial theme. The denomination of 26 pence reflects a lower-tier postage rate in the UK in 1990 (the first-class rate was 33p, as seen in the 1991 Thomas Bewick "Large Rough Water Dog" cover, while 26p likely covered second-class mail). The design uses a color palette of reds, blues, and yellows, capturing the scientific and artistic nature of early astronomy. The stamp’s placement on the cover, along with the clear Edinburgh postmark from the British Philatelic Bureau, enhances the item’s philatelic appeal.

Comparative Analysis with Other Collectibles

This cover differs from the previously described first day covers, such as the U.S. Bicentennial-themed covers (e.g., from Mauritania, Mali, Maldives, Luxembourg, and Liberia, valued at $5–$20) and the 1991 Great Britain Thomas Bewick series (valued at $5–$15), as it focuses on the history of science rather than historical events or natural history. Compared to other British first day covers from the 1990s, such as those celebrating royal events or literary figures (often valued at $5–$20), this cover stands out for its focus on astronomy, a theme that resonates with the scientific advancements of the era, like the Hubble launch. Compared to other space-related memorabilia, such as Apollo mission patches or Hubble Space Telescope commemoratives (which might fetch $10–$50), this first day cover offers a more affordable way to own a piece of space history, with a focus on its historical roots.

Unexpected Historical Detail: The Celestial Map and Early Astronomy

An intriguing aspect of this cover is its illustration, which appears to be inspired by historical celestial maps, such as those created by astronomers like Johannes Bayer (1572–1625) or John Flamsteed (1646–1719) in the 17th century. The map depicts the solar system with planets labeled as Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Earth, surrounded by zodiac constellations such as Scorpio, Libra, and Pisces. These maps were not only scientific tools but also works of art, often used to teach astronomy and astrology. They typically featured the geocentric model of the universe, with Earth at the center, until the heliocentric model gained acceptance in the 17th century. The cover’s theme, "Astronomers’ earliest eyes into the heavens, initial telescopes offered clues to celestial mysteries," highlights the transition from naked-eye observations to the use of telescopes, a pivotal moment in scientific history. Early telescopes, such as those used by Galileo, revealed celestial phenomena like the moons of Jupiter and the phases of Venus, providing evidence for the heliocentric model and challenging the Church’s geocentric worldview. This period laid the groundwork for modern astronomy, leading to discoveries that continue to shape our understanding of the universe.

Table: Summary of Key Features

Conclusion

The 1990 Great Britain "Early Attempts to See into Space" First Day Cover is a historically significant collectible that celebrates the history of astronomy through its depiction of early astronomers and their tools. Its detailed celestial map illustration, clear postmark, and connection to a pivotal year in space exploration make it a standout piece for collectors of British stamps, space history, and scientific memorabilia. Whether you’re interested in the foundations of modern astronomy, the artistry of historical celestial maps, or the scientific advancements of the late 20th century, this cover offers a unique blend of cultural and historical value, reflecting humanity’s enduring quest to understand the cosmos.