First Day Cover Baseball Appraisal

1939 Baseball Centenary First Day Cover

This item is a 1939 'First Day of Issue' postal cover commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Baseball as the National Pastime. It is an off-white, standard-sized envelope featuring a printed cachet on the left side and a canceled postage stamp on the right. The cachet depicts a baseball player in mid-swing against a detailed baseball background, with the dates '1839' and '1939' flanking the player. Above the player, it reads 'COMMEMORATING the 100TH ANNIVERSARY of BASEBALL the national PASTIME'. Below, 'FIRST DAY OF ISSUE' is printed. The design is primarily black ink with a yellow highlight for the baseball, giving it a somewhat sepia-toned appearance with age. The postage stamp, a purple 3-cent United States Postage stamp, features a dynamic scene of baseball players on a field. It is postmarked 'COOPERSTOWN N.Y. JUN 12 9-AM 1939', which is the key 'First Day of Issue' cancellation detail. Handwritten in capital letters to the right of the cachet are the words '-FIRST DAY OF ISSUE-' underlined twice. The envelope is addressed to 'Mr. Lester Rizek, Jr. / 4923 Carmen Ave. / Chicago, Ill.' in what appears to be typed or neatly printed black ink. The envelope shows signs of handling commensurate with its age, including slight toning and minor creasing, especially around the edges and corners, but generally appears to be in good, well-preserved condition for a paper item from 1939. There are no significant tears, rips, or major stains visible. The cancellation is clear and legible, as is the stamp and cachet. This piece represents a significant historical artifact for both baseball and philatelic collectors, showcasing quality craftsmanship in its printing and design indicative of early 20th-century postal memorabilia.