This 1978 First Day Cover features the 13¢ Captain James Cook stamp issued January 20 in Anchorage, Alaska. The colorful cachet by artist Chas. Lundgren depicts Cook’s ship Resolution anchored in a rugged Alaskan inlet alongside a Tlingit-style canoe, with the inscription “Probing the Rugged Northwest” and Cook’s own words about the unfamiliar coastline.
Captain James Cook’s 1778 voyage marked the first detailed European charting of Alaska’s coast, advancing British claims and scientific knowledge during the Age of Enlightenment. The stamp commemorates the bicentennial of that historic expedition.
The cachet’s dramatic maritime scene and period quote add visual and historical depth rarely found on modern U.S. FDCs. Anchorage’s postmark ties the cover directly to the region Cook explored.
A fine addition for collectors of exploration, maritime, or Alaska-themed philately, this cover remains in excellent condition with a crisp strike and attractive artwork.
