Philippine first day covers are philatelic items that are issued, officially, by the country’s post office. These are special envelopes designed for postage use. They have a stamp or a souvenir sheet that is postmarked with the first day of issue cancellation. These special envelopes are collector’s item.
In philately, first day covers (FDC) are usually collected as materials for country collection or as materials for topical and thematic stamp collection. Many of these first day covers have interesting topics on them. Angels, animals, Christmas, conservation, end of World War II commemoration, heroes and heroines, flowers, Jesus Christ, Philippine eagle, prominent Filipinos, women: these are just some of the topics that one can find on first day covers. And that is the main reason why they are collectible items for topical and thematic stamp collecting.
The most important part of a first day cover is the area where the stamp is affixed and cancelled with the first day of issue cancellation. It is called the stamp area. Another important part of the first day cover is the cache area where an illustration or a design related to the theme of the cover is imprinted; thus, it is also called the illustration area. The stamp area of the first day cover is often used for competitive philatelic exhibition, but the whole envelope itself can be displayed for competitive exhibition. More often, whole first day covers are kept as collection for personal enjoyment.
The Philippine first day covers on display in this article have these main topics or themes: music, women, heroes and heroines and the Asian Games. The first day covers were issued during these years: 1954, 1964, 1968, 1974, 1982, 1985 and 1996.
Main Topic for Collection: Asian Games
Philatelic Item: Philippine first day cover about the Second Asian Games issued on May 31, 1954
Main Topic or Theme of the FDC: Asian Games
Secondary Topic: Sports
Info: Large image of the main part of the Philippine first day cover about the Second Asian Games issued on May 31, 1954 for topical stamp collecting
Main Topic for Collection: Women
Philatelic Item: Philippine first day cover about the declaration of Philippine independence issued on November 30, 1954
Main Topic or Theme of the FDC: Declaration of Philippine independence
Secondary Topics: Flags and women as symbol
Info: Large image of the main part of the Philippine first day cover about the declaration of Philippine independence issued on November 30, 1954 for topical stamp collecting
Main Topic for Collection: Music
Philatelic Item: Philippine first day cover about bamboo organ issued on May 4, 1964
Main Topic or Theme of the FDC: Bamboo organ
Secondary Topics: Bamboo and musical instruments
Info: Large image of the main part of the Philippine first day cover about bamboo organ issued on May 4, 1964 for topical stamp collecting
Main Topic for Collection: Music
Philatelic Item: Philippine first day cover about Philippine musical instruments issued on November 22, 1968
Main Topic or Theme of the FDC: Philippine musical instruments
Secondary Topic: Traditional musical instruments
Info: Large image of the main part of the Philippine first day cover about Philippine musical instruments issued on November 22, 1968 for topical stamp collecting
Main Topic for Collection: Women
Philatelic Item: Philippine first day cover about the Universal Postal Union (UPU) centenary issued on January 15, 1974
Main Topic or Theme of the FDC: Universal Postal Union centenary
Secondary Topics: Fashion and traditional clothes for Filipino women
Info: Large image of the main part of the Philippine first day cover about the Universal Postal Union (UPU) centenary issued on January 15, 1974 for topical stamp collecting
Main Topic for Collection: Heroes and Heroines
Philatelic Item: Philippine first day cover about Bataan day issued on April 9, 1982
Main Topic or Theme of the FDC: Bataan day
Secondary Topic: Filipino and American veterans of World War II
Info: Large image of the main part of the Philippine first day cover about Bataan day issued on April 9, 1982 for topical stamp collecting
Main Topic for Collection: Women
Philatelic Item: Philippine first day cover about Marian Year ’85 and the 2000th birth anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary issued on September 8, 1985
Main Topic or Theme of the FDC: Marian Year ’85 and the 2000th birth anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Secondary Topics: Mary and saints
Info: Large image of the main part of the Philippine first day cover about Marian Year ’85 and the 2000th birth anniversary of the Blessed Virgin Mary issued on September 8, 1985 for topical stamp collecting
Main Topic for Collection: Heroes and Heroines
Philatelic Item: Philippine first day cover about Jose Rizal martyrdom centennial issued on December 30, 1996
Main Topic or Theme of the FDC: Jose Rizal martyrdom centennial
Secondary Topic: Writers
Info: Large image of the main part of the Philippine first day cover about Jose Rizal martyrdom centennial issued on December 30, 1996 for topical stamp collecting
