Events are often organized to mark the release of new US commerative stamps, with invited dignitaries who share relation to the stamp's depicted subject. An agenda for the ceremony, affixed with the stamp and canceled for the first day of issue, is commonly given to attendees.
These First Day Ceremony Programs (FDCP) are only issued by the US Postal Service or ceremony organizers and are limited in distribution to the those present.
Click on the thumbnails to view the contents of each program.
ECHO 1 Dec. 15, 1960
GODDARD Oct. 5, 1964
TWIN STAMPS Sept. 29, 1967
APOLLO 8 May 5, 1969
MOON LANDING Sept. 9, 1969
MOON LANDING Sept. 9, 1969
DECADE Aug. 2, 1971
SKYLAB May 14, 1974
PIONEER Feb. 28, 1975
MARINER 10 Apr. 4, 1975
APOLLO-SOYUZ Jul. 15, 1975
ACHIEVEMENT May 21, 1981
MOON LANDING Jul. 20, 1989
POSTAL CONGRESS Nov. 27, 1989
EXPLORATION Oct. 1, 1991
COOPERATION May 29, 1992
VON KARMAN Aug. 31, 1992
VON KARMAN Sept. 1, 1992
FANTASY Jan. 25, 1993
MOON LANDING Jul. 20, 1994
ENDEAVOUR Aug. 4, 1995
PATHFINDER Dec. 10, 1997
DISCOVERY Oct. 1, 1998
ENDEAVOUR Nov. 19, 1998
FOOTPRINT Sept. 17, 1999
SHUTTLE Jan. 12, 2000
HUBBLE Apr. 10, 2000
PROBING Jul. 10, 2000
Due to their physical characteristics (flat, compressible, light, etc.), covers, cachets, and sheets of stamps have been among the more frequently flown collectibles on US and Russian space flights.
Depending on the quantity carried on a particular mission, philatelic items are often affordable flown mementos.
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge each flown presentation.