1939 Stamp Appraisal

1939 Cooperstown First Day of Issue Baseball Centenary Stamp Envelope

This item is an antique or vintage First Day of Issue (FDI) envelope, specifically commemorating the 1939 Baseball Centenary stamp. The envelope is made of light cream-colored paper, exhibiting an aged patina with some minor discoloration and possible foxing, typical for an item of this era. It has a standard rectangular shape for letter mail. Dominating the upper right corner is a purple United States postage stamp. This stamp depicts a baseball game in progress, with multiple players visible on the field, and features a '3' for its denomination and 'UNITED STATES POSTAGE' below the image. Just to the left of the stamp, covering part of it, is a circular postmark from 'COOPERSTOWN' dated 'JUN12 9-AM 1939', which precisely marks it as a first-day cover. To the right of the postmark, aligned horizontally, are printed black lines with the text '- FIRST DAY OF ISSUE -' between them, clearly indicating its special status. The envelope is addressed in hand-written cursive script in black ink to 'W. O. FAIRBANKS' and underneath that, 'SAXONVILLE Mass.'. There are no discernible tears or major creases that would significantly impact its structural integrity, though typical handling wear for an 80+ year old paper item can be observed. The craftsmanship is utilitarian, as expected for postal items, but the clear stamping and vibrant, though aged, ink indicate careful handling and preservation. The item's age and specific historical context surrounding the first day of issue of a significant commemorative stamp make it a notable piece for collectors of philately and baseball memorabilia.