Unaddressed Dual Cancel Courvoisier Print Bilingual Insert
OVERVIEW
Offered is an original 1976 Official First Day Cover from Guernsey featuring the second definitive issue of the Royal Guernsey Militia series.
Issued during Guernsey's early years of independent postal administration, this official cover documents both the island's military heritage and its participation in one of the most important international philatelic exhibitions of the decade.
Canceled on May 29, 1976, this piece represents a high-quality production by the renowned Swiss firm Courvoisier, making it a relevant addition for collectors of British Commonwealth military topicals or exhibition postal history.
FRANKING & POSTAL HISTORY
The cover features a two-stamp franking from the Royal Guernsey Militia definitive set. The 5p (Scott 147) depicts a Field Officer of the Royal Guernsey Artillery in the 1895 pattern uniform, while the 7p (Scott 148) depicts an Officer of the Grenadier Company, East (Town) Regiment from 1822. Both stamps were printed by Helio Courvoisier S.A. via high-detail photogravure on unwatermarked paper containing diagnostic green and brown silk threads.
The franking is tied by the Guernsey Philatelic Bureau First Day of Issue star-and-crown circular cancel alongside an auxiliary INTERPHIL 76 pictorial cancel, commemorating Guernsey's participation in the Seventh International Philatelic Exhibition in Philadelphia.
The combination of the official First Day strike and the INTERPHIL 76 exhibition cancellation creates a dual-cancel presentation that is considerably scarcer than a standard domestic Guernsey First Day Cover.
CONTEXT & COLLECTOR APPEAL
The Royal Guernsey Militia holds a prestigious place in Channel Islands history, having officially acquired its Royal status by decree in 1831.
The release of this definitive series coincided with the major INTERPHIL 76 international exhibition held in Philadelphia during the United States Bicentennial year.
This piece provides a unique crossover appeal across three independent buyer pools: American collectors searching for INTERPHIL exhibition history, British Commonwealth specialists focusing on Guernsey's independent postal administration, and topical collectors seeking high-detail military and Royal Militia items.
ITEM SPECIFICS
Country: Guernsey
Year: 1976
Type: First Day Cover (FDC)
Topic: Royal Militia Military Uniforms Historical Exhibition
Theme: Military Uniforms and Philatelic Exhibitions
Subject: Royal Guernsey Militia
Era: Elizabeth II (1976)
Occasion: First Day of Issue and Interphil 76
Region: Channel Islands
Stamp Color: Multi-Color
Denomination: 5p and 7p
Currency: Guernsey Pound (GGP)
Perforation: 11.5
Printing Method: Photogravure (Helio Courvoisier SA)
Cancellation Type/Date: Philatelic Bureau CDS and Interphil 76 Pictorial Cancel (May 29 1976)
Catalog Numbers: Scott 147 148
SKU: GSY-1976-MILITIA-INTERPHIL76-FDC
CONDITION
This Official First Day Cover is in excellent unaddressed collectible condition.
The envelope remains crisp and white, with no obvious foxing visible from the supplied images.
Both stamps are well-centered with deep, saturated colors.
The cancellations are sharp and clearly legible.
The original bilingual descriptive insert card detailing the technical specifications and militia history is included.
Please examine all available high-resolution scans on the individual listing carefully to verify the exact condition, stamp placement, and cancellation clarity prior to purchase.