This official ArtCraft First Day Cover bears the 13¢ French Alliance stamp issued May 4, 1978, to mark the bicentennial of the Treaty of Alliance between France and the United States. The York, PA postmark ties the cover to the exact city and date the Continental Congress ratified the treaty in 1778.
The 1778 alliance was decisive for American independence, bringing French troops, naval power, and financial support that helped turn the Revolutionary War in favor of the colonies. Without this partnership, the outcome at Yorktown and the eventual peace treaty would have been far less certain.
The cachet illustrates the ratification ceremony with period figures gathered around a table, while the stamp itself shows Benjamin Franklin and the Comte de Vergennes exchanging the signed documents. Both elements were created specifically for the US Bicentennial observance.
A clean, well-centered example with a crisp black postmark, this cover makes an attractive addition to any collection focused on the American Revolution, US Bicentennial issues, or classic ArtCraft cachets.
