Bicentennial Souvenir Sheet (Scott 1686-1689)

Hello, Stamp Community Members,

This is a great website. I am back into the hobby after a number (a great number) of years, and I am presently migrating from my Harris Liberty albums to the Mystic Premium Heirloom. The transfer process has been grueling, but well worth it. Presentation is everything and I really like the way it is coming out.

I am currently transferring the 1970's, now. This coincides pretty closely with the time-frame of about when I left the hobby (1983). I just came across the subject Bicentennial Sheets. For some reason, I purchased two sets of these sheets.

Closer inspection reveals that one of the sets is "Pre-cancelled". Each sheet carries the signature of Ben Franklin with a circular stamp containing the (date?) of 29 MY. Does anybody know anything about this? I don't see it in the Brookman catalog. I seem to recall that this set was special and that only a few people could avail themselves of their purchase. Did I make a wise decision in buying them? Or did I get snookered?

Thanks for Listening,
Jack Kelley

The series of souvenir sheets were issued on May 29, 1976 in Philadelphia, PA, which accounts for the date. They are first day of issue covers -- or at least first day of issue postmarks if not mounted to covers.

The "signature of Ben Franklin" with a date of "29 MY" sounds like the postmark used at the B. Free Franklin Post Office and Museum, also located in Philadelphia. Maybe some special first day covers of the souvenir sheet were posted from there?

Is this the sort of postmark you're referring to?

Yes WT1. That's what it looks like. So its a first day cover?

Jack Kelley

Exactly. I guess they would be referred to as "unofficial" first day covers, since they were postmarked May 29, 1976 but don't carry the traditional "First Day of Issue" cancellation. I suspect it was a promotional item back in the day. Still quite collectible, though I don't think they have appreciated all that much in value.

Thanks WT1! Somehow I seem to recall Mystic Stamp made this offering. I bought both issues: Mint and FDC. Yes; I was using Mystic "back in the day". Where, oh where, did the time go?