Identify Stamp Issue Date and City
30 minutesLook up official first day of issue date and city from USPS or postal authority announcements.
Field context
This workflow is part of 4 niche fields
Complete guide for first day cover collecting — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
Look up official first day of issue date and city from USPS or postal authority announcements.
Confirm cancellation date matches issue date; check for genuine first day postmark vs favor cancel.
Identify cachet maker (Artcraft, Fleetwood, Collins, etc.) and assess design quality and rarity.
Record issue date, postmark city, cachet maker, and condition; store in archival sleeves.
Verify postmark date matches official first day of issue for authenticity assessment.
Catalog FDC collection with issue date, cachet maker, postmark city, and condition notes.
Photograph cachet designs and postmarks for digital catalog and condition documentation.
Calculate cover age from issue date for rarity and condition assessment context.
Major cachet producers and typical value ranges.
| Cachet Maker | Type | Typical Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Artcraft | Printed | Standard |
| Fleetwood | Printed | Standard |
| Collins | Hand-painted | 2–5× |
| Staehle | Hand-painted | 3–8× |
| Unknown/Generic | Printed | Below standard |
Serviced FDCs (sent through mail on first day) are more valuable than favor-cancelled covers.
Faded cachet ink on early FDCs is common — note fading in catalog to avoid re-purchase.
Fake first day postmarks exist for valuable issues — compare with known genuine examples.