The size is 6 ½" x 4 ½", postally unused, marked with a special-issue "96 days in space" postal mark and cancelled with a First Day cancellation stamp. The artwork on the left side of the obverse shows the artist's rendition of a spaceship launch, and has a separate calligraphic inscription under it with "First Day" printed in Russian and French. The artist's name, R. Strelnikov, is printed on the top flap on the verso. Published by the USSR Ministry of Communications, circulation unknown.

This is one of the earlier First Day covers. In the 1980s, the cancellation stamp and the pr

The size is 6 ½" x 4 ½", postally unused, marked with a special-issue "96 days in space" postal mark and cancelled with a First Day cancellation stamp. The artwork on the left side of the obverse shows the artist's rendition of a spaceship launch, and has a separate calligraphic inscription under it with "First Day" printed in Russian and French. The artist's name, R. Strelnikov, is printed on the top flap on the verso. Published by the USSR Ministry of Communications, circulation unknown.

This is one of the earlier First Day covers. In the 1980s, the cancellation stamp and the printed information on the top flap became much more elaborate.

In excellent condition. The paper is not age-toned, and shows barely noticeable storage wear. The cover may have been exposed to a little bit of moisture in the air: not enough to warp the paper but enough to glue closed the left side of the top flap. With due care and knowledge, a short steam treatment may take care of that issue, if desired.

This First Day cover was issued in celebration of the new record of duration of a space flight when the Soviet Soyuz-26, with Yuri Romanenko and Georgiy Grechko on board, docked with the Salyut-6 orbital station and set a new world record spending 96 days and 10 hours in space.
$55.00  Add to cart