1982, Francis of Assisi First Day Cover – 800th Anniversary Saint & Patron of Animals

Key Points

• What the product is: United States 20-cent commemorative stamp (Scott #2021) affixed to an official ArtCraft cacheted First Day Cover envelope.
• Theme or topic: Religious and historical figures – tribute to Saint Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, patron saint of animals, ecology, and peace, on the 800th anniversary of his birth.
• Issue date and place of postmark: October 7, 1982, postmarked in San Francisco, CA (chosen for its name connection to the saint and symbolic importance in American Catholic heritage).
• Historical or cultural relevance: Commemorates one of Christianity's most beloved saints, whose life emphasized humility, love for nature, and interfaith harmony; the stamp reflects growing 1980s environmental awareness and appreciation for figures promoting peace and stewardship of creation.
• Estimated value or range: ArtCraft cacheted First Day Covers from this issue typically range from $2–$8 in the philatelic market, with clean, unaddressed examples commonly $3–$6; strong thematic appeal can push values higher for religious or nature collectors.

Product Overview: Francis of Assisi Stamp Design and Overview

This 1982 Francis of Assisi First Day Cover features a beautifully rendered 20¢ stamp with a warm maroon background showing the saint in simple Franciscan robes and hood, gently extending his hand toward a flock of birds perched on branches—capturing his famous "Sermon to the Birds" moment of preaching peace to animals.

The ArtCraft cachet complements this with a large, evocative grayscale illustration of Saint Francis standing in profile, arms outstretched in blessing or welcome, his face uplifted in serene devotion. The design uses soft shading and subtle texture to convey humility and spiritual connection to nature.

US stamp collectors, religious philately enthusiasts, bird and nature lovers, Catholic memorabilia collectors, and fans of environmental saints will treasure this cover for its peaceful imagery, deep symbolism of harmony with creation, and timeless message—ideal for vintage US First Day Cover collections focused on saints, ecology, or inspirational figures.

Historical Context

Saint Francis of Assisi (1181/1182–1226) renounced wealth to live in poverty, founded the Franciscan Order in 1209, and is credited with one of the earliest examples of nature appreciation in Western Christianity—famously calling animals "brothers and sisters" and composing the "Canticle of the Creatures." He received the stigmata in 1224 and was canonized just two years after his death.

The 1982 stamp marked the 800th anniversary of his birth and aligned with Pope John Paul II's 1979 declaration of Francis as the patron saint of ecology, coinciding with rising global environmental consciousness in the early 1980s (including the establishment of Earth Day traditions and early climate discussions).

Collectible Value

This Francis of Assisi First Day Cover enjoys enduring popularity as part of USPS tributes to religious and humanitarian figures. The stamp alone (Scott #2021) is common and inexpensive ($0.50–$1 mint), but ArtCraft cacheted covers—with their artistic, reverent designs—add meaningful collectible value, typically $3–$10 depending on condition and cachet quality.

Particularly desirable among religious philately specialists, Catholic collectors, nature and bird thematic enthusiasts, ecology-themed philatelists, and those building collections of inspirational or saint-related vintage US commemorative items.

Unexpected or Notable Detail

The cachet portrays Saint Francis with an open, welcoming posture and upturned gaze, subtly echoing his stigmata experience and his role as a bridge between humanity and the divine natural world—details that deepen the spiritual resonance beyond the more commonly depicted "birds only" imagery on the stamp itself. The San Francisco postmark (ZIP 94101) cleverly ties to the city's name, derived from the saint, creating a meaningful geographic and symbolic connection that many other first-day postmarks for this issue lack. The warm maroon of the stamp contrasts beautifully with the cool grayscale cachet, enhancing visual harmony and evoking Franciscan simplicity.

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All Covers are shipped via 1st class stamped letter mail, be sure your shipping address is where you receive letters.