posted 02-27-2015 03:50 PM               

Space Cover #306: Pioneer 10/11 and Mariner 10 FDCs

This Space Covers of the Week commemorates the first day of issue of the Pioneer and Mariner stamps by the U.S. Postal Service in 1975.

The Pioneer stamp was issued on Feb. 28, 1975 in Mountain View, Ca. 594,896 first day covers were serviced. The FDC was cancelled in Moffett Field, Ca. where Ames Research Center who controlled the Pioneer flights was located.

The Mariner stamp was issued on April 4, 1975 in Pasadena, Ca. home to Jet Propulsion Laboratory where the Mariner mission was controlled. The FDC was cancelled with the MARINER-10/FIRST VOYAGE/TO MERCURY slogan cancel which was used initially during the earlier Mercury Encounters in Pasadena, Ca. 563,636 first day covers were serviced.

The Space City Cover Society serviced both of the covers.

posted 03-01-2015 07:26 PM               

Some of you may be aware that Henry Gitner and I purchased the inventory of Rank's covers from his estate last year. The more I learn about Rank the more I realize he produced many different covers for many different events!

posted 03-02-2015 12:58 PM               

Always date in postmark refers to first day of issue of stamp (and not necessarily with a space event), place can be correct though. However, sometimes FDC surprises us showing not very common information, only available by reading complete mission through space books.

The FDC for Pioneer stamp, also cancelled in Mountain View, CA (AMES home) offers three major concepts:

1. Pioneer 10 spacecraft silhouette.
   
2. Replica of plaque carried aboard Pioneer 10.
   
3. TRW system group, manufacturer of Pioneer 10/11.