{"product_id":"1961-dr-james-naismith-100th-anniversary-first-day-cover-springfield-massachusetts","title":"1961 Dr. James Naismith 100th Anniversary – First Day Cover | Springfield, Massachusetts","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis energetic 1961 United States First Day Cover honors Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Featuring a portrait cachet with players in action and the Naismith Memorial, plus the official 4¢ stamp, it is a lively collectible for sports history, basketball fans, and 1961 centennial enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🧾 Key Points:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry\u003c\/strong\u003e: United States of America\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate of Issue\u003c\/strong\u003e: November 6, 1961\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCity of Cancellation\u003c\/strong\u003e: Springfield, Massachusetts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStamp Value\u003c\/strong\u003e: 4¢\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme\u003c\/strong\u003e: Dr. James Naismith 100th Anniversary | Inventor of Basketball 1861–1961\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical or Cultural Relevance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Celebrates Dr. James Naismith (1861–1939), who invented the game of basketball in 1891 at the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, creating one of the world’s most popular sports\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated Market Value\u003c\/strong\u003e: $6–$15 USD, depending on condition and demand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🖼️ Product Overview:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe 1961 Dr. James Naismith 100th Anniversary First Day Cover displays a portrait of Naismith with illustrations of early basketball players shooting at a peach basket and the modern Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The matching 4¢ stamp shows a basketball and hoop, canceled by the Springfield first day postmark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Elements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCachet with Naismith portrait, action players, and Basketball Hall of Fame building\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOfficial 4¢ “Naismith – Inventor of the Game of Basketball” stamp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCircular Springfield, Mass. postmark dated Nov 6, 9 A.M., 1961\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“Honoring 100th Anniversary Dr. James Naismith 1861–1961” text\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFloerwood cachet imprint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppeal to Collectors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for collectors of basketball and sports history, Naismith topical stamps, or 1961 centennial issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e📚 Historical Context:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIssued on November 6, 1961, in Springfield, Massachusetts—the birthplace of basketball—this First Day Cover marks the 100th anniversary of Dr. James Naismith’s birth. In December 1891, Naismith invented basketball using a soccer ball and peach baskets to keep his YMCA class active indoors during winter. The sport quickly grew into a global phenomenon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e💎 Collectible Value:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypical Market Value or Rarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sports-themed centennial covers from 1961 are popular among basketball and topical collectors. Clean examples typically sell in the $6–$15 range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Would Be Interested:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors of basketball and sports history philately\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnthusiasts of Dr. James Naismith and the origins of basketball\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFans of 1961 centennial commemoratives\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeneral First Day Cover collectors focusing on inventors and cultural figures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe cachet includes early players using a peach basket, accurately depicting Naismith’s original 1891 invention. It also shows the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, linking the past to the sport’s modern legacy. Issued in Springfield, the cover carries strong geographic authenticity as the sport’s birthplace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAdd this rare \u003cstrong\u003eDr. James Naismith 100th Anniversary\u003c\/strong\u003e First Day Cover to your collection today!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51296681132196,"sku":null,"price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/20260406112842.jpg?v=1775501368","url":"https:\/\/fdc-vault.com\/products\/1961-dr-james-naismith-100th-anniversary-first-day-cover-springfield-massachusetts","provider":"Maple Springs - FDC Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}