2007 Marvel Captain America

Key Points

• This product is a 2007 Captain America Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover, featuring two stamps and a Captain America illustration.
• It includes two 41-cent U.S. postage stamps, one depicting Captain America and another showing a vintage Captain America comic book cover, postmarked on July 26, 2007, in San Diego, CA.
• The cover commemorates Marvel Comics superheroes, specifically Captain America, during a period of renewed interest in the character due to his cinematic revival.
• As a collectible, it is likely valued between $8 and $25, depending on condition and market demand.

Product Overview

The 2007 Captain America Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover is a collectible envelope that celebrates one of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes. Featuring a dynamic illustration of Captain America and two 41-cent U.S. postage stamps, this cover captures the essence of the character’s legacy in comic book history. It’s an ideal piece for collectors of Marvel memorabilia, superhero enthusiasts, and philatelists, offering a blend of pop culture and historical significance.

Historical Context

Captain America, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 in March 1941, published by Timely Comics (later Marvel Comics). The character, also known as Steve Rogers, became a symbol of American patriotism during World War II, often depicted fighting against the Axis powers. The 2007 issuance of this first day cover coincided with a resurgence of interest in Captain America, driven by Marvel’s expanding cinematic universe. Notably, Captain America: The First Avenger would be released in 2011, further cementing the character’s popularity in modern pop culture. The cover’s release during the San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, 2007, underscores its connection to the comic book fan community.

Collectible Value

First day covers tied to pop culture themes, especially those featuring superheroes, are highly sought after by collectors. This Captain America cover, with its vibrant stamps and clear postmark, is likely valued between $8 and $25, based on typical market trends for similar items. Its excellent condition, with no visible damage, and its association with a popular character during a significant period of Marvel’s history, enhance its appeal to collectors.

Unexpected Detail: Comic-Con Connection

An interesting aspect of this cover is its postmark location and date—San Diego, CA, on July 26, 2007, which aligns with the San Diego Comic-Con, one of the largest pop culture conventions in the world. The U.S. Postal Service often chooses such events for first day of issue ceremonies, making this cover a unique memento of that cultural moment, bridging the worlds of philately and comic book fandom.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of the 2007 Captain America Marvel Comics Super Heroes First Day Cover

This section provides a comprehensive examination of the 2007 Captain America Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover, delving into its features, historical context, and collectible value. The cover, analyzed through the provided image, is a philatelic item that celebrates a beloved superhero, making it a prized piece for collectors of both stamps and Marvel memorabilia.

Product Description and Features

The 2007 Captain America Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover is a collectible envelope designed to honor Marvel’s iconic superhero, Captain America. The cover features a black-and-white illustration of Captain America in his classic costume, holding his signature shield with a star emblem, poised in a dynamic action stance. The text “Captain America – Marvel Comics Super Heroes” is printed below, along with a small Marvel logo, emphasizing the character’s origin.

Affixed to the cover are two 41-cent U.S. postage stamps, part of the 2007 Marvel Comics Super Heroes series (Scott #4159-4168). The first stamp depicts Captain America in a modern, colorful illustration, showcasing his red, white, and blue costume. The second stamp features a vintage Captain America comic book cover, likely referencing Captain America Comics #1 from 1941, where the character is famously shown punching Adolf Hitler—a bold statement of the era’s wartime sentiment. Both stamps are postmarked with a circular cancellation reading “San Diego, CA Jul 26 2007,” alongside the text “First Day of Issue,” confirming the cover’s philatelic status.

The envelope is addressed to “Mr. James A. Walker, Jr., Six Clover Circle, Rogers, Arkansas 72756,” indicating it was part of a personal collection. The cover’s condition appears excellent, with no visible tears, stains, or creases, preserving its visual and collectible value.

Historical Significance and Context

Captain America debuted in March 1941, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby for Timely Comics, the predecessor to Marvel Comics. The character, Steve Rogers, is a frail young man transformed into a super-soldier through an experimental serum, becoming a symbol of American resilience and heroism during World War II. His early comics often depicted him battling Nazi forces, reflecting the era’s patriotic fervor. After a decline in popularity post-war, Captain America was revived by Marvel in the 1960s, becoming a key member of the Avengers and a staple of the Marvel Universe.

The 2007 issuance of this first day cover came at a pivotal time for the character. Marvel was in the early stages of its cinematic universe, with Iron Man (2008) marking the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Captain America’s own film, Captain America: The First Avenger, would follow in 2011, introducing the character to a new generation. Additionally, in the comics, 2007 marked a significant moment: Captain America’s “death” in Captain America #25 (March 2007), following the Civil War storyline, where Steve Rogers is assassinated after surrendering in a conflict over superhero registration. This event garnered widespread media attention, adding to the character’s cultural relevance at the time of the cover’s release.

The postmark date and location—July 26, 2007, in San Diego—coincide with the San Diego Comic-Con, a major event for comic book fans. The U.S. Postal Service often holds first day of issue ceremonies at such conventions to engage with fans, making this cover a unique intersection of philately and pop culture.

Collectible Value and Market Analysis

First day covers featuring pop culture themes, particularly superheroes, are popular among collectors due to their crossover appeal. The 2007 Marvel Comics Super Heroes series, which included ten stamps featuring characters like Spider-Man, Hulk, and Captain America, was well-received by both philatelists and comic fans. This specific Captain America cover, with its two stamps and clear postmark, is likely valued between $8 and $25, based on market trends for similar items. For example, first day covers from this series often sell on platforms like eBay or through stamp dealers in this price range, with variations depending on condition, rarity, and whether the cover is part of a complete set.

The cover’s value is enhanced by its excellent condition and its connection to a culturally significant character during a period of renewed interest. Collectors of Marvel memorabilia, especially those focused on Captain America or the MCU, may find this item particularly appealing, potentially increasing its value in specialized markets.

Detailed Stamp Analysis

The two 41-cent stamps on the cover are part of the 2007 Marvel Comics Super Heroes series (Scott #4159-4168), issued to celebrate Marvel’s iconic characters. The series included ten stamps, each featuring a different superhero alongside a vintage comic book cover. For this cover:

• The first stamp (likely Scott #4160) depicts Captain America in a modern illustration, emphasizing his iconic costume with the star-emblazoned shield. The vibrant colors—red, white, and blue—reflect his patriotic theme.
• The second stamp (likely Scott #4160a) shows a vintage comic book cover, probably Captain America Comics #1from 1941, where Captain America is depicted punching Adolf Hitler. This image is one of the most famous in comic book history, symbolizing the character’s role as a wartime hero.

The 41-cent denomination aligns with the first-class postage rate in 2007, following a rate increase earlier that year. The stamps’ placement on the cover, along with the clear San Diego postmark, enhances the item’s philatelic appeal.

Comparative Analysis with Other Collectibles

Compared to other Marvel-related collectibles, such as action figures or comic books from the same period, this first day cover offers a unique blend of philatelic and pop culture value. While a 2007 Captain America action figure might appeal to toy collectors, the cover’s postmark and stamps tie it to a specific historical moment, making it a more specialized item. Compared to other first day covers, such as the 1972 Yellowstone National Park cover (valued at $5–$20), this Captain America cover may command a slightly higher price due to its pop culture relevance and the popularity of superhero memorabilia.

Unexpected Historical Detail: Captain America’s “Death” in 2007

A notable detail is the timing of this cover’s release in relation to Captain America’s storyline in the comics. In March 2007, just months before the cover’s issuance, Marvel published Captain America #25, where Steve Rogers is assassinated following the Civil War event—a storyline where he opposes a government mandate to register superheroes. This “death” was a major event in the comic world, generating significant media coverage and fan discussion, and it likely heightened interest in Captain America-related items, including this first day cover. (Of course, in true comic book fashion, Steve Rogers would later return, but the event marked a dramatic moment in the character’s history.)

Table: Summary of Key Features

Conclusion

The 2007 Captain America Marvel Comics Super Heroes Official First Day Cover is a vibrant and historically significant collectible that captures the enduring legacy of one of Marvel’s most iconic characters. Its combination of striking stamps, a clear Comic-Con postmark, and a connection to a pivotal moment in Captain America’s history makes it a standout piece for collectors of superhero memorabilia and philately. Whether you’re a Marvel fan or a stamp enthusiast, this cover offers a unique blend of pop culture and historical value, reflecting Captain America’s role as a symbol of heroism and resilience.