1986 Settling of Connecticut 1636 – First Day Cover | 350th Anniversary

This historic 1986 First Day Cover commemorates the 350th anniversary of the founding of Connecticut with a colorful 14¢ stamp depicting Puritan settlers and a dramatic ArtCraft cachet featuring Rev. Thomas Hooker, the recognized founder of the colony.

🧾 Key Points:

• Country: United States of America
• Date of Issue: April 18, 1986
• City of Cancellation: Hartford, CT
• Stamp Value: 14¢
• Theme: Settling of Connecticut, 1636 | 350th Anniversary
• Historical or Cultural Relevance: Honors the 1636 founding of Connecticut by Rev. Thomas Hooker and his followers, who established one of America’s earliest English colonies and laid the foundation for democratic self-government in the New World
• Estimated Market Value: $5–$15 USD, depending on condition and demand

🖼️ Product Overview:

This First Day Cover features the official 14¢ “Settling of Connecticut, 1636” commemorative stamp showing a group of Puritan settlers with cattle in a pastoral landscape. The left side presents a detailed black-and-white ArtCraft cachet with a portrait of Rev. Thomas Hooker and a lively scene of early settlers gathered in a woodland clearing.

Design Elements:

• 14¢ color stamp depicting settlers walking through a green meadow with cattle and period clothing
• Prominent circular black postmark: “HARTFORD, CT APR 18 1986 06101”
• Dramatic cachet portrait of Rev. Thomas Hooker labeled “REV. THOMAS HOOKER FOUNDER” alongside a historical scene of settlers listening to a speaker in the woods
• Bold title: “350th Anniversary Settling of Connecticut 1636-1986”
• “Official First Day of Issue” at the top and ArtCraft producer logo

Appeal to Collectors:

Perfect for enthusiasts of early American colonial history, Connecticut heritage, and U.S. commemorative stamps honoring foundational settlements.

📚 Historical Context:

Issued on April 18, 1986, in Hartford, Connecticut, this 14¢ stamp marks the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Connecticut Colony in 1636. Rev. Thomas Hooker led a group of Puritan settlers from Massachusetts to the Connecticut River Valley, establishing Hartford and other towns. Their Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639) are considered one of the earliest written constitutions in America, influencing later democratic governance. The cachet prominently features Hooker as the colony’s founder, tying the issuance directly to this pivotal moment in colonial history.

💎 Collectible Value:

Typical Market Value or Rarity:

As a well-produced ArtCraft First Day Cover from the 350th anniversary issue with a clear Hartford cancellation and attractive dual cachet/stamp design, it remains accessible yet desirable for colonial history collectors and is typically valued in the $5–$15 range.

Who Would Be Interested:

• Collectors of U.S. colonial history and early settlement commemoratives
• Enthusiasts of Connecticut and New England heritage
• Philatelists focused on Rev. Thomas Hooker and Puritan founders
• Those building collections around American democracy’s roots and 17th-century settlements

✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:

The cachet dramatically contrasts a close-up portrait of Rev. Thomas Hooker with a lively background scene of settlers gathered in a woodland clearing, capturing the pioneering spirit of the 1636 migration. The colorful stamp shows settlers with cattle moving through a pastoral landscape, symbolizing the establishment of farms and communities. Issued in Hartford—the capital Hooker helped found—the postmark adds authentic geographic significance to this important 350th anniversary tribute.

Add this rare 1986 Settling of Connecticut First Day Cover to your collection today!