1994, Scottish Golf Courses First Day Cover – British Philatelic Bureau Special Edition from Edinburgh Scotland

Key Points

• What the product is: Great Britain set of five 1994 commemorative stamps (SG 1829–1833 / approximate Scott equivalents around 1567–1571) affixed to a special cacheted First Day Cover produced by or in association with the British Philatelic Bureau (featuring a block or strip including values like 19p, 35p, 41p visible).
• Theme or topic: Scottish Golf Courses – celebrating iconic links courses in Scotland, the birthplace of golf, with illustrations of famous holes and venues including St Andrews Old Course, Muirfield, Carnoustie, Royal Troon, and Turnberry.
• Issue date and place of postmark: Official issue July 5, 1994; this special cover postmarked September 26, 1994, in Edinburgh (with pictorial golf-themed handstamps referencing St Andrews Old Course and Turnberry Hole).
• Historical or cultural relevance: Issued to honor Scotland's pivotal role in golf's history (St Andrews as the "Home of Golf" dates to the 15th century), featuring legendary courses that have hosted The Open Championship; the cover's Edinburgh postmark ties to the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (world's oldest golf club, founded 1744), emphasizing cultural heritage and national pride in the sport.
• Estimated value or range: Similar British Philatelic Bureau or special cacheted FDCs for the 1994 Golf issue typically range from $5–$15, with pictorial handstamps or unique cachets like this one (possibly a Hoffer's Covers production) often $8–$20+ depending on condition and rarity among golf philately collectors.

Product Overview: Scottish Golf Courses Stamp Design and Overview

This 1994 Scottish Golf Courses First Day Cover showcases vibrant, watercolor-style stamps depicting iconic Scottish links: the 19p value features the historic Old Course at St Andrews with its famous clubhouse and landscape; the 35p shows a green at one course (likely Royal Troon or similar); and the 41p highlights a dramatic hole at Turnberry (Ailsa course) with lighthouse and sea views—part of the full set honoring five legendary venues.

The special cachet is a creative, collage-style design by the British Philatelic Bureau (or affiliated producer like Hoffer's Covers): a young boy examining stamps through a magnifying glass, surrounded by thistle (Scotland's emblem), a model train, philatelic elements, maps, and Edinburgh motifs—evoking the joy of stamp collecting and Scottish pride. The dramatic Edinburgh pictorial postmarks (magnifying glass over golf scenes) add thematic flair.

GB stamp collectors, golf enthusiasts, Scottish heritage fans, and thematic philatelists will love this cover for its artistic cachet, accurate course illustrations, and celebration of golf's origins—ideal for vintage British First Day Cover collections focused on sports, Scotland, or philatelic creativity.

Historical Context

Golf originated in Scotland in the 15th century, with the Old Course at St Andrews recognized as the oldest course in the world. The 1994 issue highlighted five premier links: St Andrews (19p), Muirfield (25p, not visible here but part of set), Carnoustie (30p), Royal Troon (35p, "Postage Stamp" hole), and Turnberry (41p).

Released in 1994, it coincided with growing global interest in golf (including major championships) and Scotland's tourism push, amid the sport's evolution into a worldwide phenomenon while honoring its roots in the land of The Open.

Collectible Value

As a special British Philatelic Bureau edition tied to the popular 1994 Golf set, this Scottish Golf Courses First Day Cover appeals to niche collectors. Individual stamps are inexpensive ($0.50–$2 each mint), but pictorial postmarked, creatively cached covers like this one—with its unique collage and Edinburgh ties—command $8–$20+ in the market, especially among golf philately specialists.

Highly sought by sports thematics enthusiasts, Scottish philately collectors, links golf fans, and those building vintage GB commemorative or British Isles collections.

Unexpected or Notable Detail

The cachet's whimsical collage includes a boy with a magnifying glass inspecting stamps, blended with thistle, a locomotive (nod to philatelic trains or travel?), and Edinburgh elements—symbolizing the detective-like thrill of philately and Scotland's layered history. The September 26 Edinburgh postmarks (with golf club references like "St Andrews Old Course" and "Turnberry Hole") provide a later, event-specific enhancement beyond the official July issue date, adding rarity and a personal collector touch often seen in Bureau specials or producer variants like Hoffer's 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.