In celebration of the 60th Anniverary of Earl's history-making 1948 thru-hike, a new postage stamp and commemorative event cover is available to order for a limited time. The collectible event cover features a custom-designed stamp bearing a photo of Earl at the northern terminus of the A.T. The Earl Shaffer Foundation has made arrangements to have the stamp canceled at the Millinocket, Maine, Post Office on August 5, 2008 - exactly 60 years after the completion of Earl's first hike. Orders will be shipped after that date. The deadline for ordering is July 25, 2008.
HOW TO ORDER the 60th Anniversary Commemorative Stamp:
A very limited quantity of this commemorative event cover will be produced
ORDER NOW to purchase this unique collectors item.
To celebrate the 60th Anniverary of Earl's history-making 1948 thru-hike, the Earl Shaffer Foundation proudly offers a commemorative event cover featuring a custom-designed stamp bearing a photo of Earl at the northern terminus of the A.T. The cachet on the envelope identifies the significance of the anniversary and an image of Earl's boots.To complete the event cover, the Earl Shaffer Foundation has made arrangements to have the stamp canceled at the Millinocket, Maine, Post Office on August 5, 2008 - exactly 60 years after the completion of Earl's first hike. Cost of the complete event cover with stamp is $15.00 each postpaid.
BONUS!
Earl was determined (but not entirely confident) that a hike of the entire AT was possible in a single "go," as it had never been done. He told few people of his endeavor. However, emboldened by reaching as far north as Holmes, New York, Earl became convinced that completing his hike to Maine was well within his grasp. He penned a poem on a simple piece of paper on which he'd sketched a likeness of the Pinnacles of Dan and sent the note to the Appalachian Trail Conference, which was holding its annual meeting that year in Fontana Village, N.C. The cheery little greeting was his way of announcing his endeavor: The flowers bloom the songbirds sing And though it sun or rain I walk the mountain tops with spring From Georgia north to Maine
The ATC did not understand the oblique message at the time, and sadly, the letter was discarded. Fortunately, in the collection of over a thousand poems written by Earl, his brother John was able to find another copy of the poem, written in Earl's own handwriting, which the Earl Shaffer Foundation has used to produce a replica of the drawing and greeting. A copy of the replicated note (illustrated at right) will be included with your stamp cover purchase.
A Brief Overview for those Unfamiliar with Philately (Stamp Collecting):
A commemorative event cover is an envelope postmarked on the day an event occurs or on the anniversary date of an event from the past. An event cover is usually not made by a postal authority but is a private initiative. A cachet is some sort of illustration and/or text explaining or relating to the event that occurred and is printed on or affixed to the envelope.
Any first class stamp can be used on this type of cover, but a stamp that relates to the event or anniversary increases its value as a collector's item. The preferred postmark is from the area where the event occurred. Event covers do not carry addresses, nor are they intended to be used in posting letters, rather they are used as souvenirs.
The Earl Shaffer Foundation has adhered to the guidelines set forth by philatelic societies to ensure that your event cover has the best chance of increasing in value. The attractive event cover is suitable for framing.
Order your event cover now for only $15.00 (Postage for mailing the Event Cover to you is included)
Commemorative Postcard
