This Artmaster first day cover features the 10¢ Petrified Wood stamp issued June 13, 1974, in Lincoln, Nebraska, as part of the four-stamp Mineral Heritage series. The cachet depicts a gemologist examining mineral specimens under magnification at the National Gem and Mineral Show.
The Mineral Heritage issue celebrated the geological treasures of the United States during a period of growing public interest in natural resources and earth science. Petrified wood, formed over millions of years through mineral replacement of ancient trees, symbolizes the fossil record preserved across the American West.
The Artmaster design ties directly to the Lincoln show venue, with the postmark ZIP 68501 confirming the official first-day city. The stamp's diamond-shaped format and vibrant cross-section artwork make it visually distinctive within the series.
A fine addition for collectors of mineral topicals, Artmaster cachets, or 1970s U.S. commemoratives, this cover displays fresh color and a clear Lincoln cancel.
