The size is standard 6 ¼" x 4 ½". Postally unused, marked with a special-issue "Vitus Bering Tricentennial" postal mark and cancelled with a specially made cancellation stamp dated 25 March 1981. The artwork on the left side of the obverse shows a nice commemorative graphic celebrating Bering's 300th birthday, and has a separate calligraphic inscription under it with "First Day" printed in Russian and French. The artist's name, I. Malyukov (И. Малюков) is printed on the bottom of the verso. Published by the USSR Ministry of Communications,

The size is standard 6 ¼" x 4 ½". Postally unused, marked with a special-issue "Vitus Bering Tricentennial" postal mark and cancelled with a specially made cancellation stamp dated 25 March 1981. The artwork on the left side of the obverse shows a nice commemorative graphic celebrating Bering's 300th birthday, and has a separate calligraphic inscription under it with "First Day" printed in Russian and French. The artist's name, I. Malyukov (И. Малюков) is printed on the bottom of the verso. Published by the USSR Ministry of Communications, circulation unknown.

The flap on the verso has the printed notation "Cover of the First Day of the Ministry of Communications of the USSR" in Russian and in French, and features the emblem of ДИЭЗПО (DIEZPO), Russian abbreviation for the special organization responsible for development and issue of all postal signs, emblems, marks, and special stamps. Their products were printed by the factories of the Mint of the Ministry of Finances of the USSR in Moscow.

In excellent condition. The paper is not age-toned, and shows just microscopic corner bumps.

Even if these covers had a high circulation and wide distribution across the country, which is somewhat doubtful, the special postal mark and cancellation stamp make this cover a truly rare and precious addition to a philatelist's collection.

Vitus Jonassen Bering, aka Ivan Ivanovich Bering, was a Danish cartographer in service to the Russian Empire, seafarer, polar explorer, and an officer in the Russian Navy. Leader of two major expeditions in the high latitudes, known as the First Kamchatka Expedition and the Great Northern Expedition, he made a contribution to the exploration of the northern seas, the value of which is truly hard to overestimate.
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