1982, Touro Synagogue First Day Cover – Oldest Synagogue in America & Religious Freedom Tribute

Key Points

• What the product is: United States 20-cent commemorative stamp (Scott #2017) affixed to an official ArtCraft cacheted First Day Cover envelope, featuring a block of four stamps.
• Theme or topic: Historic American architecture and religious tolerance – tribute to Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, the oldest surviving synagogue in the United States, built in 1763.
• Issue date and place of postmark: August 22, 1982, postmarked in Newport, RI (the synagogue's location, selected for authentic historical significance).
• Historical or cultural relevance: Honors Touro Synagogue as a symbol of religious freedom in early America; includes George Washington's famous 1790 letter quote affirming tolerance ("To bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance"), issued during a period of renewed focus on America's pluralistic heritage and Jewish contributions to the nation's founding principles.
• Estimated value or range: ArtCraft cacheted First Day Covers from this issue typically range from $2–$8, with unaddressed or high-quality examples often $3–$6; thematic interest in religious history or Rhode Island items can increase appeal.

Product Overview: Touro Synagogue Stamp Design and Overview

This 1982 Touro Synagogue First Day Cover displays a block of four vibrant 20¢ stamps, each depicting the elegant Georgian-style synagogue building in Newport—white exterior, arched windows, central pediment, surrounded by green trees and a fence under a blue sky. The inscription reads "Touro Synagogue Newport RI 1763" with the quote from George Washington's letter to the congregation.

The ArtCraft cachet features a large, detailed grayscale illustration of the synagogue's facade, complete with fence, gate, and pathway, accented by symbolic elements below: Torah scrolls and a Star of David, evoking Jewish tradition and dedication. The overall design blends architectural beauty with profound messages of liberty and faith.

US stamp collectors, Jewish heritage enthusiasts, religious freedom historians, architecture buffs, and fans of American revolutionary-era history will value this cover for its powerful symbolism of tolerance, historical accuracy, and elegant presentation—perfect for vintage US First Day Cover collections focused on historic sites, religious tolerance, or colonial America.

Historical Context

Touro Synagogue, dedicated in 1763, was designed by architect Peter Harrison and served Newport's thriving Jewish community (many Sephardic immigrants fleeing persecution). It is the oldest synagogue building still in use in the U.S. and a National Historic Site. George Washington's 1790 letter to the congregation became a cornerstone document for religious liberty in America.

The stamp was issued in 1982 amid growing recognition of multicultural history, coinciding with the 200th anniversary era of the U.S. Constitution's drafting (though slightly earlier) and ongoing discussions of pluralism in a diverse society.

Collectible Value

As a collectible US stamp commemorating a key historic site, this Touro Synagogue First Day Cover holds steady appeal. The stamp alone (Scott #2017) is common and inexpensive ($0.50–$1 mint), but ArtCraft cacheted covers—with their informative artwork and block format—add philatelic charm, typically valued at $3–$10 depending on condition.

Strong demand exists among Jewish philately and religious history collectors, American Jewish heritage specialists, historic buildings thematics, Rhode Island or colonial America enthusiasts, and those assembling vintage US commemorative series on tolerance or architecture.

Unexpected or Notable Detail

The cachet prominently features the full Washington quote alongside Torah scrolls and the Star of David at the base, subtly linking the synagogue's 18th-century founding to enduring American ideals of freedom— a direct visual tie to the stamp's inscription that reinforces the cover's message of "no sanction" to bigotry. The Newport postmark (with its clear AUG 22 1982 cancel) provides genuine on-site authenticity, as the ceremony occurred at the synagogue itself, creating a deeper historical provenance than many off-site first-day covers.

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