{"product_id":"ancient-flags-of-sri-lanka-1980-first-day-cover","title":"Ancient Flags of Sri Lanka – 1980 First Day Cover","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis is an \u003cstrong\u003eOfficial First Day Cover (FDC)\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003cstrong\u003eSri Lanka\u003c\/strong\u003e, issued on \u003cstrong\u003eDecember 18, 1980\u003c\/strong\u003e, commemorating the \u003cstrong\u003eAncient Flags of Sri Lanka\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe set (Scott #590-593) features four colorful stamps depicting historical royal and symbolic flags from Sri Lanka's ancient kingdoms:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e10¢ stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e: Flag of Walagamba (peacock with serpents or mythical bird design in green and pink tones).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e25¢ stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e: Flag of the Gampola Kingdom (elephant with ornate howdah, bells, and decorations in black and gold).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e₹1.60 stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e: Royal Lion Flag (Sinhalese royal standard with a golden lion holding a sword and whip on maroon background).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e₹20.00 stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e (or high value in set): Likely the lion royal flag variant or related design (shown with tiger\/lion motif in yellow and red).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe envelope is illustrated with a vibrant procession scene showing ancient Sri Lankan figures in traditional attire carrying flags, riding an elephant with howdah, drummers, and attendants—evoking a royal or ceremonial parade from historical times. The title appears in Sinhala, Tamil, and English: \"Ancient Flags of Sri Lanka\" (with multilingual equivalents). Postmarks are circular \"FIRST DAY OF ISSUE\" from Colombo, dated \u003cstrong\u003e1980.12.18\u003c\/strong\u003e, with additional cancels including \"LIONEL WENDT C.P.O. COLOMBO\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis FDC celebrates Sri Lanka's rich heraldic heritage, showcasing symbols like the lion (national emblem), elephant (strength and royalty), and peacock (beauty and divinity) from pre-colonial eras. Popular among philatelists for its cultural significance and colorful designs, often collected with the matching set or souvenir sheet if available. The cover includes trilingual text at the bottom confirming it as the \"First Day Cover\" in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConcise title:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sri Lanka 1980 Ancient Flags First Day Cover (December 18, 1980)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51233896988836,"sku":null,"price":5.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/20250520183537.jpg?v=1770400272","url":"https:\/\/maplespringsllc.com\/products\/ancient-flags-of-sri-lanka-1980-first-day-cover","provider":"Maple Springs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}