Item: First Day Cover (FDC) – Netherlands Antilles Semi-Postal "Freedom From Hunger" Issue

This is an unaddressed First Day Cover from Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, featuring the 1963 semi-postal stamp issued in support of the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) "Freedom From Hunger" campaign. The cover showcases a vibrant cachet depicting staple grains and bears the official First Day of Issue cancellations. This item was prepared for philatelic purposes.

Stamp:
The cover is franked with the 20c + 10c Netherlands Antilles semi-postal stamp (Scott #B58) issued on March 21, 1963.

• Design: The stamp, printed in red, features a profile silhouette, a stylized monument or agricultural structure, and a stalk of wheat.

• Inscription on stamp: "ST EUSTATIUS", "20c", "TEGEN DE HONGER" (Against Hunger), "NEDERLANDSE ANTILLEN +10c". The surtax was to support the Freedom From Hunger campaign.

Cachet:
The cover features a colorful cachet printed in green, yellow, black, and orange:

• Image: A prominent depiction of various staple grains, including rice, wheat, and corn (maize).

• Small Text (Black, lower left of image):

  • "1E DAG VAN UITGIFTE"

  • "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE"

• Bottom Text (Orange): "ANTI-HONGER-AKTIE-1963-NEDERLANDSE ANTILLEN"

Postmark Date and Location:

• Postmark Location: Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles.

• Postmark Date: March 21, 1963. This is confirmed by both the First Day of Issue cancel on the stamp and the separate Willemstad CDS on the envelope.

Historical Context for Postmark Date (March 21, 1963):
The primary event of significance for this cover on March 21, 1963, was the First Day of Issue of this semi-postal stamp (Scott #B58). This stamp was part of a worldwide philatelic effort supporting the "Freedom from Hunger Campaign" launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The cachet, with its depiction of essential food grains and the "Anti-Honger-Aktie" (Anti-Hunger Campaign) text, directly ties into this global initiative. Many countries issued stamps on or around this date, as March 21st often marked the beginning of "Freedom from Hunger Week."