1980 Hockey Lake Placid Silk .15c

Key Points

• This product is a 1980 Women’s Ice Hockey Official First Day Cover, featuring a stamp and a colorful illustration of a female hockey player.
• It includes a single 15-cent U.S. postage stamp from the 1980 Winter Olympics series, depicting a hockey player, postmarked on February 1, 1980, in Lake Placid, NY.
• The cover commemorates women’s ice hockey, specifically referencing a 1977 championship game between Cornell and Princeton, and is part of the Women’s History Series by Colorano.
• As a collectible, it is likely valued between $5 and $20, depending on condition and market demand.

Product Overview

The 1980 Women’s Ice Hockey Official First Day Cover is a vibrant philatelic item celebrating the growing prominence of women in sports. Featuring a detailed illustration of a female hockey player and a 15-cent U.S. postage stamp from the 1980 Winter Olympics series, this cover highlights a significant moment in women’s ice hockey history. Produced by Colorano as part of their Women’s History Series, it’s a perfect addition for collectors of sports memorabilia, philatelists, and those interested in women’s history, offering a unique connection to the sport’s early milestones.

Historical Context

Women’s ice hockey has a rich history, with organized play dating back to the late 19th century, but it gained significant recognition in the late 20th century. The 1977 Women’s Ice Hockey Championship game between Cornell University and Princeton University, referenced on the cover, was a notable event in the sport’s development at the collegiate level. Cornell’s victory (8-3) highlighted the growing competitiveness of women’s hockey. The 1980 issuance of this first day cover, postmarked in Lake Placid during the 1980 Winter Olympics, aligns with a period of increased visibility for women’s sports, though women’s ice hockey would not become an Olympic event until 1998. The cover reflects the broader cultural push for gender equality in athletics during this era.

Collectible Value

First day covers tied to sports and women’s history are prized by collectors for their cultural significance. This Women’s Ice Hockey cover, with its clear postmark, vibrant silk cachet, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $20, based on typical market trends for similar items. Its association with the 1980 Winter Olympics and its focus on women’s sports history enhance its appeal to collectors of both philatelic and sports memorabilia.

Unexpected Detail: Early Women’s Hockey at Cornell

An intriguing aspect of this cover is its reference to the 1977 Cornell-Princeton game, which underscores Cornell University’s pioneering role in women’s ice hockey. Cornell established one of the first women’s varsity hockey teams in 1972, and their program quickly became a powerhouse, winning multiple Ivy League titles in the 1970s. This cover not only celebrates a specific game but also highlights the early contributions of collegiate programs in advancing women’s hockey, long before it gained global recognition.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the 1980 Women’s Ice Hockey Official First Day Cover

This section provides a comprehensive examination of the 1980 Women’s Ice Hockey Official First Day Cover, exploring its features, historical context, and collectible value. The cover, analyzed through the provided image, is a philatelic item that celebrates a milestone in women’s sports, making it a valuable piece for collectors of both stamps and sports memorabilia.

Product Description and Features

The 1980 Women’s Ice Hockey Official First Day Cover is a collectible envelope designed to honor the history of women’s ice hockey, produced by Colorano as part of their Women’s History Series. The cover features a colorful silk cachet illustration of a female hockey player in action, dressed in a white jersey with the number 12, red and white striped socks, and brown pants, skating with a stick in hand. The word “Hockey” is printed above the illustration, and a gold border frames the design, adding a touch of elegance. The text “Women’s History Series by Colorano ‘Silk’ First Day Cover” is printed on the left side, indicating the series and production method.

Affixed to the cover is a single 15-cent U.S. postage stamp (Scott #1798), part of the 1980 Winter Olympics series, depicting a hockey player in a blue uniform taking a shot on goal, with “USA Olympics 1980” and “15c” printed on the stamp. The stamp is postmarked with a circular cancellation reading “Lake Placid, NY Feb 1 1980,” alongside the text “First Day of Issue,” confirming its philatelic status. Below the illustration, a caption reads: “A Cornell player looks for an opening during the 1977 Women’s Ice Hockey Championship game between Princeton and Cornell. Cornell won the game 8 to 3.” The cover’s condition appears excellent, with no visible tears, stains, or creases, preserving its vibrant colors and collectible value.

Historical Significance and Context

Women’s ice hockey has roots dating back to the 1890s, with early games recorded in Canada, but it remained a niche sport for much of the 20th century. The 1970s marked a turning point, as collegiate programs in the U.S. began to formalize women’s teams. The 1977 Women’s Ice Hockey Championship game between Cornell University and Princeton University, referenced on the cover, was a significant moment in the sport’s development. Cornell, which had established its women’s varsity team in 1972, was a dominant force in the Ivy League, and their 8-3 victory over Princeton in 1977 showcased the growing talent and competitiveness in women’s hockey at the collegiate level.

The 1980 issuance of this first day cover, postmarked in Lake Placid, New York, during the 1980 Winter Olympics, aligns with a period of increased visibility for women’s sports. The 1980 Winter Olympics, held from February 13 to 24, 1980, are best known for the “Miracle on Ice,” where the U.S. men’s hockey team defeated the Soviet Union, but women’s ice hockey was not yet an Olympic event (it would be added in 1998). This cover, produced by Colorano, reflects the broader cultural push for gender equality in athletics, as women’s sports gained recognition following the passage of Title IX in 1972, which mandated equal opportunities in education and athletics. The choice of a 1980 Winter Olympics stamp ties the cover to the Olympic spirit, even as it specifically honors women’s hockey history.

Collectible Value and Market Analysis

First day covers tied to sports and women’s history are popular among collectors for their cultural significance. The 1980 Women’s Ice Hockey cover, with its clear postmark, vibrant silk cachet, and well-preserved condition, is likely valued between $5 and $20, based on market trends for similar items. For example, first day covers from the 1980 Winter Olympics series 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 value is enhanced by its association with the 1980 Winter Olympics, its focus on women’s sports history, and its production by Colorano, a respected name in philatelic cachets, making it appealing to collectors of both philatelic and sports memorabilia.

Detailed Stamp Analysis

The 15-cent stamp on the cover (Scott #1798) is part of the 1980 Winter Olympics series, issued to commemorate the Games held in Lake Placid, New York. The stamp depicts a hockey player in a blue uniform taking a shot on goal, with “USA Olympics 1980” and “15c” printed on the design. The stamp’s focus on hockey aligns with the cover’s theme, though it does not specifically depict a female player, as the series was designed to represent Olympic sports broadly. The 15-cent denomination aligns with the first-class postage rate for postcards in 1980, as the standard letter rate had increased to 15 cents in 1978, with a subsequent increase to 20 cents in 1981. The stamp’s placement on the cover, along with the clear Lake Placid postmark, enhances the item’s philatelic appeal.

Comparative Analysis with Other Collectibles

This cover is a variant of the 1980 Winter Olympics first day cover you previously provided, which featured four stamps and focused on the “Miracle on Ice.” This version, with its single stamp and focus on women’s ice hockey, offers a more specific historical narrative, appealing to collectors interested in women’s sports history. Compared to other sports memorabilia, such as vintage hockey jerseys or signed pucks, this first day cover offers a more accessible entry point for collectors. A signed item from the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team could fetch hundreds of dollars, while this cover provides a more affordable way to own a piece of hockey history. Compared to other first day covers, such as the 1980 Frances Perkins cover (valued at $5–$15), this Women’s Ice Hockey cover may have a slightly higher value due to its sports theme and Olympic connection.

Unexpected Historical Detail: Cornell’s Pioneering Role in Women’s Hockey

An intriguing aspect of this cover is its reference to Cornell University’s role in the early development of women’s ice hockey. Cornell established its women’s varsity hockey team in 1972, one of the first in the U.S., following the passage of Title IX, which mandated equal opportunities in sports. The team quickly became a powerhouse, winning multiple Ivy League titles in the 1970s, including the 1977 championship game against Princeton referenced on the cover. This game, with Cornell’s 8-3 victory, highlights the growing competitiveness of women’s hockey at the collegiate level, long before the sport gained global recognition with its inclusion in the 1998 Winter Olympics. The cover thus serves as a tribute to the early pioneers of women’s hockey, whose efforts laid the groundwork for future generations.

Table: Summary of Key Features

Conclusion

The 1980 Women’s Ice Hockey Official First Day Cover is a vibrant and historically significant collectible that celebrates the early milestones of women’s ice hockey. Its colorful silk cachet, clear postmark, and connection to both the 1980 Winter Olympics and a pivotal moment in collegiate women’s hockey make it a standout piece for collectors of sports memorabilia and philately. Whether you’re a hockey enthusiast, a fan of women’s history, or a stamp collector, this cover offers a unique blend of cultural and historical value, reflecting the growing recognition of women in sports during a transformative era.