{"product_id":"1980-w-c-fields-first-day-cover","title":"1980 W.C. Fields First Day Cover","description":"\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eKey Points\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the product is\u003c\/strong\u003e: United States 15-cent commemorative stamp (Scott #1803) affixed to a colorful First Day Cover envelope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme or topic\u003c\/strong\u003e: Performing Arts series – tribute to W.C. Fields, the legendary comedian, actor, juggler, and \"comedy's most lovable villain.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIssue date and place of postmark\u003c\/strong\u003e: January 29, 1980, postmarked in Beverly Hills, California (his adopted hometown in Hollywood's golden era).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical or cultural relevance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Issued on what would have been W.C. Fields' 100th birthday (born January 29, 1880), celebrating his enduring impact on American comedy during the Great Depression and beyond.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated value or range\u003c\/strong\u003e: Typical market prices for similar unaddressed or cacheted W.C. Fields First Day Covers range from $2–$10 for standard examples, with hand-painted or specially illustrated versions higher; this artistic cover with original artwork adds premium appeal for collectors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eProduct Overview: W.C. Fields Stamp Design and Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003e1980 W.C. Fields First Day Cover\u003c\/strong\u003e features a vibrant 15¢ stamp from the USPS Performing Arts series, depicting the bulbous-nosed comedian in his signature top hat and red bow tie, juggling balls with his classic exasperated expression. The cachet (envelope artwork) is a lively, hand-illustrated masterpiece signed by M.T. Crawford, showcasing multiple whimsical scenes: Fields in his oversized top hat holding a cane and cigar, performing with a pistol and violin, alongside vintage theater posters from his vaudeville days (like \"FIVOLI\" in South Africa) and smaller cameos of him with a police officer and in character roles. The design bursts with nostalgic Hollywood charm, colorful details, and Fields' unmistakable scowl and smirk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUS stamp collectors\u003c\/strong\u003e, comedy enthusiasts, and fans of classic cinema will love this piece for its blend of philatelic history and artistic flair—perfect for displaying or adding depth to a \u003cstrong\u003evintage US First Day Cover\u003c\/strong\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eW.C. Fields (1880–1946) rose from vaudeville juggler to Hollywood stardom in the 1930s–1940s, starring in films like \u003cem\u003eThe Bank Dick\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eMy Little Chickadee\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem\u003eIt's a Gift\u003c\/em\u003e. His sharp wit, misanthropic humor, and hatred of small children and dogs brought laughter during America's toughest times—the Great Depression and World War II eras. This stamp was released in 1980 amid a wave of USPS tributes to entertainment legends, reflecting renewed interest in golden-age Hollywood. January 1980 also saw cultural shifts with events like the US boycotting the Moscow Olympics and the ongoing Iranian hostage crisis—making Fields' timeless escapism a fitting nostalgic escape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eCollectible Value\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAs a \u003cstrong\u003ecollectible US stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e from the popular Performing Arts series, this First Day Cover holds steady appeal in the philatelic market. While common in basic form (stamp alone often under $1), illustrated cacheted covers like this one—with detailed artwork by M.T. Crawford—are scarcer and more desirable. Values typically range $5–$15+ depending on condition and cachet quality, with strong demand among \u003cstrong\u003eAmerican comedy memorabilia\u003c\/strong\u003e collectors and \u003cstrong\u003evintage Hollywood philately\u003c\/strong\u003e fans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIdeal for \u003cstrong\u003estamp collecting\u003c\/strong\u003e enthusiasts, cinema history buffs, or anyone building a \u003cstrong\u003eUS Performing Arts\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003ecomedian-themed\u003c\/strong\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eUnexpected or Notable Detail\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eLook closely at the cachet: The artwork cleverly layers multiple Fields personas—from the juggler and billiards shark to the top-hatted rogue—while incorporating a vintage Vaudeville poster from his early international tours (including South Africa). The small cameo of Fields with a traffic cop nods to his film gags involving authority figures, and the overall palette uses warm oranges, reds, and browns to evoke the golden age of burlesque and early talkies. The postmark ties it perfectly to Beverly Hills—Fields' real-life residence—adding authentic Hollywood glamour often overlooked in simpler covers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeta Description\u003c\/strong\u003e (for Shopify): \"Discover the 1980 W.C. Fields First Day Cover – a 15¢ US stamp tribute to the comedy legend. Vintage collectible! Shop rare First Day Covers now. #WCFields #StampCollecting\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAdd this rare \u003cstrong\u003eW.C. Fields First Day Cover\u003c\/strong\u003e to your collection today!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eCheck out our other \u003cstrong\u003eUS First Day Covers\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003evintage American stamps\u003c\/strong\u003e for more philatelic treasures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Tags\u003c\/strong\u003e: #WCFields #FirstDayCover #USStamp1980 #PerformingArtsStamp #CollectibleStamps #StampCollecting #VintagePhilately #ComedyMemorabilia #HollywoodGoldenAge #USPostalHistory #RareStamps #WCFieldsCollectibles\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAll Covers are shipped via 1st class stamped letter mail, be sure your shipping address is where you receive letters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51247574155428,"sku":null,"price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/05092025_004.jpg?v=1771268043","url":"https:\/\/fdc-vault.com\/products\/1980-w-c-fields-first-day-cover","provider":"Maple Springs - FDC Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}