1983 1913 Pope Motorcycle – First Day Cover | Transportation Series

This dynamic 1983 First Day Cover from the U.S. Postal Service’s popular Transportation Series highlights the pioneering 1913 Pope Motorcycle with a thrilling cachet of a racer in full gear and a precise inset illustration of the historic bike itself. A standout collectible for motorcycle enthusiasts, transportation historians, and coil-stamp collectors alike.

🧾 Key Points:

• Country: United States of America
• Date of Issue: October 10, 1983
• City of Cancellation: San Francisco, CA
• Stamp Value: 5¢
• Theme: 1913 Pope Motorcycle | Transportation Series
• Historical or Cultural Relevance: Celebrates one of America’s earliest mass-produced motorcycles from the Pope Manufacturing Company, emblematic of the dawn of motorized transportation in the United States
• Estimated Market Value: $5–$15 USD, depending on condition and demand

🖼️ Product Overview:

This First Day Cover features a strip of four attached 5¢ coil stamps depicting the classic 1913 Pope Motorcycle. The left side showcases a bold black-and-white ArtCraft cachet with a dramatic action scene of a helmeted rider leaning into a high-speed turn, plus an oval inset photograph of the actual 1913 Pope model.

Design Elements:

• Strip of four 5¢ “Motorcycle 1913 USA 5¢” coil stamps in green ink
• Prominent circular black postmark: “SAN FRANCISCO, CA OCT 10 1983 94188”
• Detailed cachet illustration of a racing motorcyclist on the 1913 Pope, with motion lines conveying speed
• Oval inset labeled “1913 POPE” showing the motorcycle’s classic design
• Elegant script title: “1913 Pope Motorcycle 5¢ Coil Stamp” with “TRANSPORTATION SERIES-1983” below
• “OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF ISSUE” at the top and ArtCraft producer logo

Appeal to Collectors:

Highly appealing to fans of the U.S. Transportation Series, vintage motorcycle collectors, coil-stamp specialists, and American automotive history enthusiasts.

📚 Historical Context:

Issued on October 10, 1983, in San Francisco, California, this 5¢ coil stamp was part of the ongoing U.S. Postal Service Transportation Series that honored classic American vehicles. The Pope Manufacturing Company produced some of the first commercially successful motorcycles in the United States; the 1913 model featured advanced engineering for its time and helped popularize two-wheeled motorized transport. This issuance continues the series’ tradition of celebrating the evolution of American mobility and industrial ingenuity.

💎 Collectible Value:

Typical Market Value or Rarity:

As a clean ArtCraft cacheted First Day Cover from the popular Transportation Series with a continuous strip of coil stamps and a sharp cancellation, it remains readily available yet sought-after, typically valued in the $5–$15 range.

Who Would Be Interested:

• Collectors specializing in the U.S. Transportation Series stamps
• Enthusiasts of early 20th-century motorcycles and Pope Manufacturing history
• Philatelists interested in coil stamps and multi-stamp strips
• Those building collections on American automotive and transportation heritage

✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:

The cachet dramatically captures the thrill of early motorcycle racing with a full-action pose and speed lines, while the small oval inset provides a clear, static view of the actual 1913 Pope machine—creating a perfect “in-motion and in-detail” pairing. The postmark from San Francisco ties neatly into the West Coast’s rich motorcycle culture. The continuous strip of four identical green stamps, cancelled across the center, gives this cover a striking visual rhythm unique to coil issues.

Add this rare 1983 1913 Pope Motorcycle First Day Cover to your collection today!