1982, Dr. Mary Walker First Day Cover – Medal of Honor Pioneer and Civil War Surgeon

Key Points

• What the product is: United States 20-cent commemorative stamp (Scott #2013) affixed to an official ArtCraft cacheted First Day Cover envelope.
• Theme or topic: Great Americans series – tribute to Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman awarded the Medal of Honor, Civil War Army surgeon, and women's rights advocate.
• Issue date and place of postmark: June 10, 1982, postmarked in Oswego, NY (her birthplace, selected to commemorate the 150th anniversary of her birth).
• Historical or cultural relevance: Honors Dr. Walker's extraordinary achievements as the first female U.S. Army surgeon and sole female Medal of Honor recipient, spotlighting women's pioneering roles in medicine, military service, and suffrage during an era of increasing focus on gender equality in history.
• Estimated value or range: ArtCraft cacheted First Day Covers of this type generally range from $2–$8, with pristine unaddressed examples commonly $3–$6; higher appeal for thematic collectors.

Product Overview: Dr. Mary Walker Stamp Design and Overview

This 1982 Dr. Mary Walker First Day Cover presents a respectful 20¢ stamp featuring an oval portrait of Dr. Walker in her distinctive dark dress with lace collar, flower, and Medal of Honor pin, labeled "Dr. Mary Walker Army Surgeon" and "Medal of Honor."

The ArtCraft cachet uses a sophisticated grayscale palette: a prominent portrait of Dr. Walker in formal attire (bow tie and coat), accented by the caduceus medical symbol and a detailed historical scene of her caring for wounded soldiers—depicting a surgeon and nurses attending a patient on an operating table. Stars and subtle patriotic elements enhance the design.

US stamp collectors, women's history buffs, military philately enthusiasts, and admirers of trailblazing figures will find this cover compelling for its blend of heroism, medical history, and social reform symbolism—making it a standout addition to vintage US First Day Cover collections centered on American icons or gender pioneers.

Historical Context

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (1832–1919) graduated from medical school in 1855 and volunteered as a surgeon during the Civil War, treating thousands of Union soldiers and even Confederate civilians, which led to her brief imprisonment. President Andrew Johnson awarded her the Medal of Honor in 1865 for "meritorious service," a distinction later revoked in 1917 under new criteria but restored by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. Beyond medicine, she championed women's dress reform (wearing "bloomers" and men's clothing), suffrage, and temperance.

Released in 1982 to mark her 150th birthday, the stamp aligned with the growing 1980s emphasis on women's historical contributions, paralleling movements for gender equity and recognition of overlooked figures in American history.

Collectible Value

This Dr. Mary Walker First Day Cover holds steady interest as part of the respected Great Americans series. The stamp itself (Scott #2013) is widely available and inexpensive ($0.50–$1 mint), but the ArtCraft cachet—with its clean, informative artwork—elevates the collectible value to $3–$10 based on condition. It attracts dedicated buyers from women's history philately, Civil War and military medal specialists, medical history enthusiasts, and collectors of vintage American heroine or Great Americans themed items.

Unexpected or Notable Detail

The cachet art subtly juxtaposes Dr. Walker's later-life preference for masculine clothing (practical and reform-driven) with the more traditionally feminine stamp portrait, underscoring her lifelong challenge to gender conventions. The battlefield medical vignette captures her hands-on wartime role—rare for women then—while the Oswego, NY postmark (her hometown ZIP 13126) provides a deeply personal connection, grounding this philatelic tribute in her actual birthplace in a way many First Day Covers cannot match.

Meta Description (for Shopify): "Discover the 1982 Dr. Mary Walker First Day Cover – 20¢ US stamp honoring the Medal of Honor surgeon. Vintage collectible! Shop now. #MaryWalker #StampCollecting"

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