1985 Alfred V. Verville – First Day Cover | Aviation Pioneer
This classic 1985 First Day Cover honors aviation pioneer Alfred V. Verville with a striking 33¢ airmail stamp and a detailed Artmaster cachet featuring his portrait alongside early aircraft designs. A must-have for collectors of aviation history and U.S. airmail issues.
🧾 Key Points:
- Country: United States of America
- Date of Issue: February 13, 1985
- City of Cancellation: Garden City, NY
- Stamp Value: 33¢ Airmail
- Theme: Alfred V. Verville | Aviation Pioneer
- Historical or Cultural Relevance: Commemorates Alfred V. Verville (1890–1970), an early aircraft designer and aviation innovator whose work advanced American aviation in the early 20th century
- Estimated Market Value: $5–$15 USD, depending on condition and demand
🖼️ Product Overview:
This First Day Cover showcases the official 33¢ airmail stamp featuring a portrait of Alfred V. Verville alongside a blueprint of an early aircraft. The left side presents a detailed blue-toned Artmaster cachet with Verville’s portrait superimposed over technical drawings of aircraft and a hangar scene.
Design Elements:
- 33¢ “USAirmail” stamp with portrait of Alfred V. Verville and “Alfred V. Verville Aviation Pioneer” inscription
- Prominent circular black postmark: “GARDEN CITY, NY FEB 13 1985 11530”
- Blue cachet illustration showing Verville’s portrait with early aircraft blueprints and hangar background
- Bold header text: “Alfred V. Verville 1890-1970 an early aircraft designer and aviation pioneer”
- “First Day of Issue” printed in elegant lettering at top and bottom
- Artmaster producer signature at bottom of cachet
Appeal to Collectors:
Ideal for enthusiasts of aviation history, aircraft design pioneers, and U.S. airmail commemoratives.
📚 Historical Context:
Issued on February 13, 1985, in Garden City, New York, this 33¢ airmail stamp honors Alfred V. Verville, a pioneering aircraft designer whose innovative work in the early 20th century helped shape American aviation. Verville contributed to numerous aircraft designs and was a key figure in the development of military and civilian aviation. This issuance is part of the U.S. Postal Service’s recognition of important figures in aviation history.
💎 Collectible Value:
Typical Market Value or Rarity:
As a clean Artmaster First Day Cover from the aviation pioneer series with a clear Garden City cancellation, it offers good availability for collectors and is typically valued in the $5–$15 range.
Who Would Be Interested:
- Collectors of U.S. airmail and aviation-themed stamps
- Enthusiasts of early aircraft design and aviation pioneers
- Philatelists focused on 20th-century American innovation and engineering history
- Those building collections around historic aviators and aircraft development
✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:
The cachet cleverly integrates a realistic portrait of Verville with technical blueprint drawings of early aircraft and a hangar scene, creating a layered tribute to both the man and his engineering legacy. The 33¢ airmail denomination reflects the postal rate for international or special delivery at the time, perfectly suiting an aviation pioneer theme. The Garden City, NY postmark adds a subtle New York connection to this nationwide tribute to American aviation innovation.
Add this rare 1985 Alfred V. Verville First Day Cover to your collection today!