{"product_id":"1988-popcorn-wagon-1902-first-day-cover-transportation-series","title":"1988 Popcorn Wagon 1902 – First Day Cover | Transportation Series","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis nostalgic 1988 First Day Cover from the U.S. Postal Service’s Transportation Series features the charming Popcorn Wagon 1902 with a 16.7¢ bulk rate stamp and a delightful ArtCraft cachet showing the classic Cretors \u0026amp; Co. wagon in action. A wonderful collectible for food history buffs, vintage vehicle enthusiasts, and fans of American street culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🧾 Key Points:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States of America\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate of Issue:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 7, 1988\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCity of Cancellation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chicago, IL\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStamp Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.7¢ (Bulk Rate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Popcorn Wagon 1902 | Transportation Series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical or Cultural Relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Celebrates the iconic popcorn wagon invented by Charles Cretors, which brought hot, fresh popcorn to streets and fairs across America in the early 20th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated Market Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e $5–$15 USD, depending on condition and demand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🖼️ Product Overview:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis First Day Cover highlights the 16.7¢ Popcorn Wagon 1902 stamp, paired with the 10¢ Canal Boat 1880s stamp from the same series. The left side features a vibrant red-toned ArtCraft cachet showing the Cretors \u0026amp; Co. No. 1 popcorn wagon with an attendant serving a young customer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eDesign Elements:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair of stamps: 10¢ Canal Boat 1880s and 16.7¢ Popcorn Wagon 1902 (Bulk Rate)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProminent circular black postmark: “CHICAGO, IL JUL 7 1988 60607”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetailed cachet illustration of the ornate popcorn wagon with striped awning, attendant, and young customer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBold title: “Popcorn Wagon 1902” with “TRANSPORTATION SERIES 1988” and ArtCraft logo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“Official First Day of Issue” at the top\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eAppeal to Collectors:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eHighly appealing to collectors of the Transportation Series, popcorn and food history enthusiasts, and those who love vintage street vending vehicles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e📚 Historical Context:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIssued on July 7, 1988, in Chicago, Illinois—the city where Charles Cretors invented the first commercial popcorn machine in 1885—this stamp honors the colorful popcorn wagon that became a beloved fixture at fairs, parks, and street corners in the early 1900s. Cretors’ mobile wagons brought freshly popped corn to the public and helped popularize popcorn as an affordable American snack. The Transportation Series continued its tradition of celebrating vehicles that shaped everyday American life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e💎 Collectible Value:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eTypical Market Value or Rarity:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAs a well-designed ArtCraft First Day Cover from the Transportation Series with a pair of stamps and a charming, nostalgic cachet, it remains desirable for topical collectors and is typically valued in the $5–$15 range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eWho Would Be Interested:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors specializing in the U.S. Transportation Series stamps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnthusiasts of early 20th-century street vending and popcorn history\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilatelists interested in food-related vehicles and American popular culture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThose building collections around carnival, fair, and street life memorabilia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe cachet vividly captures the nostalgic charm of the Cretors popcorn wagon with its striped awning, glass display case, and period-dressed attendant serving a child—an iconic scene from early 20th-century America. The pairing of the popcorn wagon stamp with the canal boat stamp creates an interesting contrast between land-based street vending and water transportation. Issued in Chicago, the birthplace of the modern popcorn machine, the postmark adds strong historical relevance to this fun Transportation Series issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdd this rare 1988 Popcorn Wagon 1902 First Day Cover to your collection today!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51294308171940,"sku":null,"price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/05102025_039.jpg?v=1775157071","url":"https:\/\/maplespringsllc.com\/products\/1988-popcorn-wagon-1902-first-day-cover-transportation-series","provider":"Maple Springs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}