Anyone Know The Very First Cover Created By Richard Ellis "Animated Covers"???

I found this one in a box that I have not opened in years.
I can't find anything online that shows any of his covers in the 1960's so I was wondering when Animated Covers produced it's very first cover.

Thanks!

Hello
I believe his first was late 1960's so that would make this one of his earlier. I found your post searching for Ellis Animated FDCs because I am starting to collect his covers. Did you find other Ellis covers in that box you hadn't opened?

On Richard Frajola site. "First FDC March 15, 1969 for The American Legion. Generally 1500 per issue using 5-8 colors. Ceased production in 1992."

Hello redwoodrandy

Thanks for weighing in...

I believe the Frajola site is correct, the American Legion issue was the first commercial Ellis Animated Cover. From some reading I have done I know there were a few others around the same time, like the Erie Canal shown in this thread. Ellis Animated covers is a new collecting area for me so I am still looking for information and also covers from Ellis Animated around this time period.

The First Cachets catalog identifies the American Legion stamp as the first cachet.

Thanks to all here for the great info.
I do believe I have other Richard Ellis covers buried in my collection somewhere.
If I ever find them, I will post them.

Thanks!

Thanks very much waynezach - I am always looking for scans of Ellis Animated covers like the one you shared and of course for Ellis Animated covers to add to my exhibit/collection when the opportunity presents itself. I really enjoy his FDCs and obviously thats why my avatar is an Ellis FDC. Thanks again for sharing!!!

Following up on this earlier post, and I am not sure how I missed it the first time...

This cachet was clearly created for the 1987 Canal Boat issue as shown in the FDC below. Comparing the stamp and the cachet confirms that as they are almost identical. It appears as if the cover with the Erie Canal stamp must have been created in 1987 as a mock up, or as the "cancel" says a sample of Ellis Animated FDCs.