Postal History

Dear Members, I noticed that this forum has been dead for multiple years, but there are so many knowledgeable members here that I wanted to see if anyone can point me to an answer.

I am very new to this fascinating hobby and the more I learn, the more I enjoy it.

I recently joined the Guatemalan Philatelic Association and they have a very active WhatsApp group and I asked the question of which was the first "official" (sold by Correos de Guatemala) FDC? Silence followed, but then multiple people starting sharing their 1940's FDC's but we never got to the conclusion of which one is the first official. We came across a few from 1937's (US 150th constitution anniversary )

But we cannot find if it is an official envelope or just a cachet created by some private philatelic vendor.

Same happened with the 1938 Central American Philatelic Exposition:

All meet the requirements to be a FDC but not necessarily be "Official"

Also came across the Memorandum of 1930 thanks to a member here but we came to the conclusion that doesn't qualify to be called FDC , just a Commemorative Envelope and also first Official Cachet from Correos de Guatemala:

I also looked into the First Airmail covers but all look like commemorative cancellations over old stamps.

The last one I found (and I don't own), is the following a 1929 "Inauguration Ferrocarril Oriental" that again, has some sort of special design and it does qualify as a FDC, now I need to see if its an official envelope:

Please share your thoughts, ideas, or where should I keep looking, all help is appreciated and if you have an Scott #182 also let me know, I need it to complete my Collection :)

Carlos

Every stamp ever issued has a first day cover. For the early issues they may not have had fancy cachets, but a cover with the stamp cancelled on the first day of issue is a First day cover.

Unaddressed covers are the most sought after, but this practice started in the 1930s. Before the 1930s, the concept of a "collector's cover" was still evolving. Most covers were actually sent through the mail to prove they were processed on the first day.

I think the 1938 Scott 92 airmail stamp commemorating the US 150th constitution anniversary that you noted is as close as you are going to get to an "officially" sent Guatemalan first day cover.

Tim

Thank you for your reply Timothy, and I agreed with everything you say, but finding the first "official" is a more attractive task.

I find a bit boring to collect unused FDC, very controversial but just my personal opinion. An used FDC also is postal history and it did circulated in the postal system and served a purpose. Perhaps its just me, but I rather have one used and an unused.

I haven't find any unused FDC prior to 1940's but I'm sure someone here might have a few to share.

Interesting talking, Carlos. For me the oldest FDC I have - apart from the US Constitution - is this:

I don't know if any fellow of the ISGC has some older. Regards,

Nelson García

Carlos

Although my specialty is not FDCs, I am not sure I have seen "official" FDCs before 1940. I think that in the late 1940s the postal service became more active in creating "official" FDCs .... I think before 1940 the postal service did not create "official" FDCs but the many collectors created their own.

@GabrielRamirez might know more about this

best regards

Richard

Thank you for all the feedback, I guess the first official FDC will be the Oldest one with the "Primer Dia de Circulacion ( First day cover) Cancelation" with the corresponding stamps regarding the envelop (and/or the Cachet).

Nelson your cover will be the oldest one I've seen unused so far, thank you for sharing.

The first day of issue is the date the stamp is released by the PO, a fdc is a cover with a cancel showing that date. Some fdc's have a cachet corresponding to the stamp subject. I think the question is what constitutes an 'official' fdc meaning did the PO issue a cover with an appropriate cachet. Many Guatemala fdc's have privately printed cachets. Covers with cachets printed by the PO include the postal stationery of the 1970-80's and fdc's starting in the 2000's. These were all printed and sold by the PO and are perhaps what is being referred to in this thread as official first day covers. Examples are attached.

David thank you for taking your time to add to this matter , you have been one of my mentors in this journey and appreciate your input.

And I think I started with the wrong idea thinking that the FDC should have a design/ cachet on it to be called FDC. Many have pointed out that it's not a requirement and was acquired as the idea evolved and popularity grew.

My direction will be to find the oldest "Primer Dia de Circulacion" cancel with the issued stamps. That first cancel should be considered the day Correos of Guatemala officially introduced the concept FDC.

Now, Finding the first official Cachet for a FDC from correos will be a different task. And if I'm understanding this right all the following FDC are privately printed cachets:

and the following Postal Stationeries are the only known Cachet to be printed by the PO?

After a little more digging, and knowing what I was looking for, I went to Cecile Gruson "Postal Markings"

and found the oldest "primer dia de circulacion" Cancel:

January 10th, 1938

This seems to be the first made cancelation for a First Day of Circulation.

Please Share your comments.

Thank you