This official 1975 First Day Cover features the 9¢ John Witherspoon stamp issued November 10 in Princeton, New Jersey. The cachet belongs to the "Vignettes of Americana" series produced for the new postage rates, showing a large portrait of Witherspoon alongside the stamp design and the text identifying him as Clergyman, Patriot, and Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
John Witherspoon (1723–1794) was a Scottish-born Presbyterian minister who emigrated to the colonies and became a leading voice for independence. As president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), he educated many future Founding Fathers and was the only active clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
A notable detail is the dual-portrait layout: the large left vignette and the smaller stamp portrait are both based on the same historic engraving, emphasizing Witherspoon’s dual role as educator and patriot during the Bicentennial era.
Collectors will appreciate this clean, well-centered cover with a clear Princeton, NJ first-day cancel. It makes an excellent addition to any collection focused on Declaration signers, American clergy, or the 1975 Americana series.
