1988 Dr. Harvey Cushing – First Day Cover | Great Americans Series

This distinguished 1988 First Day Cover honors Dr. Harvey Cushing, the pioneering neurosurgeon known as the “father of modern neurosurgery.” The 45¢ stamp and detailed cachet with medical illustrations make it a standout collectible for medical history enthusiasts and fans of the Great Americans series.

🧾 Key Points:

• Country: United States of America
• Date of Issue: June 17, 1988
• City of Cancellation: Cleveland, OH
• Stamp Value: 45¢
• Theme: Dr. Harvey Cushing | Great Americans Series
• Historical or Cultural Relevance: Commemorates Dr. Harvey Williams Cushing (1869–1939), a world-renowned neurosurgeon who revolutionized brain surgery techniques and established neurosurgery as a distinct medical specialty
• Estimated Market Value: $5–$15 USD, depending on condition and demand

🖼️ Product Overview:

This First Day Cover features the official 45¢ Dr. Harvey Cushing stamp from the Great Americans Series. The left side displays a rich, multi-layered cachet with Cushing’s portrait alongside anatomical illustrations of the brain and nervous system, highlighting his groundbreaking medical contributions.

Design Elements:

• 45¢ stamp with blue-toned portrait of Dr. Harvey Cushing and “Harvey Cushing MD” inscription
• Prominent circular black postmark: “CLEVELAND, OH JUN 17 1988 44101”
• Detailed cachet showing Cushing’s portrait with anatomical drawings of the brain, spinal cord, and surgical scenes
• Text: “Dr. Harvey Cushing” and “A renowned surgeon, he made medical history.”
• “FIRST DAY OF ISSUE” printed in strong lettering

Appeal to Collectors:

Ideal for collectors of the Great Americans Series, medical history enthusiasts, and those interested in pioneering physicians and neurosurgery.

📚 Historical Context:

Issued on June 17, 1988, in Cleveland, Ohio—where Cushing had strong professional ties—this stamp honors Dr. Harvey Cushing, widely regarded as the father of modern neurosurgery. He developed techniques that dramatically reduced the mortality rate of brain surgery and trained a generation of surgeons. His meticulous work and publications laid the foundation for neurosurgery as a specialized field. The cachet’s medical illustrations pay tribute to his scientific contributions.

💎 Collectible Value:

Typical Market Value or Rarity:

As a well-designed First Day Cover from the Great Americans Series with a medically themed cachet and clear Cleveland cancellation, it remains desirable for topical and series collectors and is typically valued in the $5–$15 range.

Who Would Be Interested:

• Collectors of the Great Americans Series stamps
• Enthusiasts of medical history and neurosurgery pioneers
• Philatelists focused on American scientists and physicians
• Those building collections around healthcare innovators and 20th-century medical breakthroughs

✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:

The cachet creatively integrates Cushing’s portrait with detailed anatomical drawings of the brain and nervous system, visually representing his life’s work in neurosurgery. The inclusion of surgical illustrations adds an educational layer rarely seen on First Day Covers. Issued in Cleveland, the cover connects to a major medical center where Cushing’s influence was felt strongly in American medicine.

Add this rare 1988 Dr. Harvey Cushing First Day Cover to your collection today!