{"product_id":"1982-library-of-congress-first-day-cover-angels-bearing-sword-of-authority","title":"1982 Library of Congress – First Day Cover | Angels Bearing Sword of Authority","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis elegant 1982 First Day Cover celebrates the timeless mural at the Library of Congress, featuring a striking cachet of \"Angels Bearing Sword of Authority and Bridle of Restraint Guard Figure of Government.\" A must-have for collectors of American institutional history and philatelic art, this cover beautifully combines an official U.S. Postal Service stamp with detailed illustrative artwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🧾 Key Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States of America\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate of Issue:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 21, 1982\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCity of Cancellation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Washington, D.C.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStamp Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20¢\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Library of Congress Mural | Angels Bearing Sword of Authority and Bridle of Restraint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical or Cultural Relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honors the Library of Congress as America’s premier repository of knowledge, with symbolic artwork representing governmental authority and restraint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated Market Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e $5–$15 USD, depending on condition and demand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🖼️ Product Overview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis First Day Cover showcases the official 20¢ Library of Congress commemorative stamp featuring the iconic Thomas Jefferson Building. The left side displays a detailed blue cachet reproducing the Elihu Vedder mural from the entrance to the Main Reading Room, depicting a central enthroned government figure flanked by two angels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Elements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOfficial 20¢ Library of Congress stamp with detailed engraving of the Jefferson Building\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProminent circular black postmark: \"WASHINGTON, D.C. APR 21 1982 20066\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRed text cachet: \"MURAL BY ELIHU VEDDER • ENTRANCE TO READING ROOM\" arching over the artwork\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDescriptive red caption below: \"ANGELS BEARING SWORD OF AUTHORITY AND BRIDLE OF RESTRAINT GUARD FIGURE OF GOVERNMENT\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\"FIRST DAY OF ISSUE\" printed in bold black lettering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\"Library of Congress\" header in elegant blue script on the left\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppeal to Collectors:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for enthusiasts of U.S. institutional history, architectural philately, and symbolic American art on stamps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e📚 Historical Context:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIssued on April 21, 1982, in Washington, D.C., this stamp and First Day Cover commemorate the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world and a cornerstone of American scholarship. The cachet highlights the famous mural by Elihu Vedder located at the entrance to the Main Reading Room in the Thomas Jefferson Building. This issuance reflects the U.S. Postal Service’s tradition of honoring national cultural institutions through postage stamps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe artwork symbolizes the dual nature of government: the sword representing authority and the bridle representing restraint, guarded by angelic figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e💎 Collectible Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTypical Market Value or Rarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e As a standard 1982 First Day Cover with an attractive cachet, it remains readily available yet desirable among thematic collectors. Condition is excellent in the provided example, with clear cancellation and vibrant printing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Would Be Interested:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors of U.S. commemorative stamps and First Day Covers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnthusiasts of Library of Congress and American governmental history\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilatelists focused on artistic or symbolic cachets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThose building collections around Washington, D.C. landmarks and institutions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe cachet faithfully reproduces Elihu Vedder’s allegorical mural, complete with the central seated figure holding tablets and flanked by winged angels—one bearing a sword and the other a bridle. The red text provides precise identification of the mural’s location and symbolic meaning, adding educational value to the collectible. The combination of the engraved stamp image and the detailed illustrative cachet creates a harmonious tribute to both the building and its interior artistic treasures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdd this rare 1982 Library of Congress First Day Cover featuring the Angels Bearing Sword of Authority to your collection today!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51294285889700,"sku":null,"price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/05092025_062_30eaa75a-c7e9-46a3-8091-4b7a2c701bfa.jpg?v=1775153823","url":"https:\/\/fdc-vault.com\/products\/1982-library-of-congress-first-day-cover-angels-bearing-sword-of-authority","provider":"Maple Springs - FDC Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}