1c Jamestown (328). Bright color, tied by clear strike of "Norfolk Va. Apr. 25 10-AM 1907" pre-First Day exposition machine cancel on souvenir card depicting the U.S. Government Pier building, to Rochester N.Y., second strike of cancel at bottom, picture side with small scuffs at bottom, some slight edgewear including light card crease at upper left, also accompanied by three additional postcards bearing 1c 1902 Issue (300) tied by the same cancels on the same date (few faults) and to the same recipient

VERY FINE. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED PRE-FIRST DAY USE OF THE JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION ISSUE. A PHENOMENAL RARITY AND OFFERED TO THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME. FROM A NEW DISCOVERY.

The Jamestown Exposition was held from April 26 to December 1, 1907 in Norfolk Va., to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. The Exposition opened on a Friday with great confusion -- only a fifth of the electric lights could be turned on and only 14 of the 38 principal buildings were ready.

Fewer than fifteen First Day covers are known for all three values of the Jamestown Issue, including ten of the 1c. The existence of the pre-first day offered here was unknown until recently; the three cards used on the same day with the same Exposition machine cancel, prior to the opening of the Exposition, offer wonderful supporting evidence and are rarities in their own right.

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