Apollo and Soyuz hooked up in 1975 amidst an international frenzy. It was all good and the astronauts and the cosmonauts had a good time and got to be friends with each other. While the US and the USSR had all their missles pointed at one another, this showed that politicians were idiots and it is simple folk like the ones in these space vehicles that should be the example for children around the world. This stamped envelope shows this event and the Soyuz touchdown back on earth, in the stamp and the design.
Commemorative envelopes are unique items to the phialtelic world. Many don't know whether they are truly collectibles, like stamps, or if they hold more than just sentimental value. Many stamp collectors have differing views on the subject of their roll in the philatelic world since a formal arena was never established. They can be identified by either “First Day of Issue” in English, “Premier Jour” in French, and “E rsttagebrief” in German, or in other native languages that do not use latin letters.
To become more closely acquainted with these items they have to be divided into two categories. The first is the commemorative envelope with a stamp that matches the thematic material on the envelope. These pre-stamped envelopes have stamps that show explicitly that match the decoration on the envelope. At the turn of the 20th century in America these commemorative, pre-stamped, envelopes became a big hit, and in recent years have fetched high prices at auctions around the world. Postal workers in the United States soon noticed that on days when commemorative envelopes were issued there was a great influx of people sending out letters to show the postmark that would prove it was sent out on that same day, making them more valueable. Postal administrations of many countries would coordinate these issuances to manufacture more of an interest worldwide.
Then in America business people picked up on the postal service's example and began to issue their own envelopes commemorating events. This is the second type of commemorative envelope. These, although they commemorate certain events, are not pre-stamped by the post office. Thus, with the postmark of the day of issuance and the stamp itself from that day, an envelope does not really become a collectible unless it has a commemorative decoration that matches the postmark and the stamp. These envelopes that were printed independent of the post office can now be considered less valuable.
Other commemorative envelopes include those marking an anniversary, or identifying a special geographical location, or piece of architecture. Men and women have been commemorated on envelopes for their acheivements, and the anniversary of those events. Sporting events like the Olympics are commonly depicted on envelopes. Acheivements in Space have shown up in the past when the space race between the Soviets and Americans was at a fevered pitch.
European countries began to issue these items later, and especially in Russian during the 70's and 80's they were a great tool for creating public interest in the governement and events that were taking place throughout the country. Today it is still common practice for the Russian postal service to issue envelopes and postcards commemorating certain events. It is still practiced in the US as well, where many of the world's best stamp collections exist. The Smithsonian has a vast collection of philatelic items, as does a museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which is the national museum of commemorative envelopes.
These are great for framing, mounting, and for making a collection that will dazzle and impress friends. Some have sentimental value for those who have seen or visited the places, or followed the actions of the people depicted on the envelopes. They are great reminders of the past, and the bright future we have to look forward to.
Item Specifications:
- Title: "Soyuz Touchdown On Earth - Apollo Soyuz Hookup 1975"
- Price: $25.00
- Status: SOLD
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