Item: First Day Cover (FDC)

Country/Region: Suriname

Date of Issue / Postmark: January 15, 1960

Stamps:

• Scott #B69, #B70, #B71, #B72.
  This is the complete set of semi-postal stamps featuring "Native Art / Volkskunst / Art Indigene".

Postmark:

• Location: PARAMARIBO

• Date: 15 JAN '60

• Type: Special commemorative slogan cancel with a central design (possibly stylized 'A' or drafting tools, relating to the new building).

• Slogan: "EERSTE DAG VAN UITGIFTE" (First Day of Issue) as part of the circular cancel.

Address:

• This is an unaddressed First Day Cover, likely prepared for philatelic purposes.

Cachet:

• Printed cachet in dark blue and light blue/teal.

• Text at top: "EERSTE DAG VAN UITGIFTE / FIRST DAY OF ISSUE / 15 JANUARI 1960".

• Imagery: Depicts a modern building (the new post office) with palm trees in the foreground.

• Text below image: "OPENING NIEUWE POSTKANTOOR TE PARAMARIBO" (Opening New Post Office in Paramaribo).

• Cachet producer: "Postzegelhandel J. J. Verbrugge - Postbus 581 - Paramaribo".

Historical Context (January 15, 1960):

• This date marks the First Day of Issue for the Scott #B69-B72 semi-postal stamps, which were issued to raise funds for the promotion of native arts and crafts.

• The cachet and the special postmark also commemorate the official opening of the new General Post Office building in Paramaribo on this day. This was a significant infrastructural development for the city.