first-day cover: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialist vocabulary)Formal, Technical, Collecting/Hobbyist
Quick answer
What does “first-day cover” mean?
An envelope bearing a postage stamp cancelled on the first official day of its issue, often with a special postmark.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An envelope bearing a postage stamp cancelled on the first official day of its issue, often with a special postmark.
An item of philatelic interest collected by stamp enthusiasts; a record of a stamp's inaugural day of sale.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is international in philately.
Connotations
Associated with the serious hobby of stamp collecting (philately) and postal history.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “first-day cover” in a Sentence
The Royal Mail issued a first-day cover for the new stamp.He specialises in collecting first-day covers.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “first-day cover” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The new Royal Mail first-day cover features a portrait of the King.
- His most prized possession is a first-day cover from the 1930s.
American English
- The USPS first-day cover for the 'Love' stamp is very popular.
- She ordered the first-day cover directly from the post office.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in businesses dealing with collectibles or philatelic investments.
Academic
Used in historical or cultural studies of communication and collecting.
Everyday
Almost never used in general conversation.
Technical
Core term in philately (stamp collecting).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “first-day cover”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “first-day cover”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “first-day cover”
- Using 'first-day cover' to mean the first protective layer of something (e.g., paint).
- Confusing it with a 'first edition' book.
- Omitting the hyphens, making it 'first day cover'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A first-day cover is an envelope (or sometimes a card) that bears the stamp. The stamp is affixed to it and postmarked on its first day of issue.
Yes, if it has valid postage. However, collectors usually keep them unused and protected as collectibles.
Factors include the rarity of the stamp, errors in the printing or postmark, the fame of the person or event commemorated, the quality of the cachet (illustration), and its overall condition.
Directly from national postal services (like Royal Mail or USPS) upon a new stamp's release, from philatelic dealers, at stamp shows, or on online auction sites.
An envelope bearing a postage stamp cancelled on the first official day of its issue, often with a special postmark.
First-day cover is usually formal, technical, collecting/hobbyist in register.
First-day cover: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst deɪ ˈkʌvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːrst deɪ ˈkʌvər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not your average first-day cover. (Implies something is particularly special or valuable)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a stamp's FIRST DAY at work, needing a special COVER (envelope) for its debut party.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BIRTH CERTIFICATE for a stamp, marking its official entry into the world.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a first-day cover?