{"product_id":"1987-self-scouring-steel-plow-first-day-cover-transportation-series","title":"1987 Self-scouring Steel Plow – First Day Cover | Transportation Series","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis iconic 1987 First Day Cover from the U.S. Postal Service’s Transportation Series commemorates the 150th anniversary of John Deere’s revolutionary self-scouring steel plow. Featuring a detailed 14¢ stamp and a classic ArtCraft cachet showing John Deere demonstrating his invention, it is a standout piece for agricultural history enthusiasts and collectors of American innovation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🧾 Key Points:\u003c\/h2\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 May 22, 1987\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCity of Cancellation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moline, IL\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStamp Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14¢\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Self-scouring Steel Plow, 1837 | Transportation Series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical or Cultural Relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Honors John Deere’s 1837 invention of the self-scouring steel plow, which transformed agriculture by making it possible to efficiently till the tough prairie soils of the American Midwest and helped open the Great Plains to farming\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\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e🖼️ Product Overview:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis First Day Cover features the official 14¢ stamp depicting a farmer using the self-scouring steel plow pulled by a mule. The left side shows a detailed black-and-white ArtCraft cachet illustrating John Deere demonstrating his improved steel plow to onlookers, with a separate line drawing of the plow itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eDesign Elements:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e14¢ stamp showing a farmer guiding the steel plow through a field with a mule\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProminent circular black postmark: “MOLINE, IL MAY 22 1987 61265”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCachet scene of John Deere demonstrating his improved steel plow to a group of interested farmers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear line drawing of the self-scouring steel plow labeled “JOHN DEERE DEMONSTRATES HIS IMPROVED STEEL PLOW”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBold title: “Self-scouring Steel Plow” with “1837-1987 150 YEARS” and ArtCraft logo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“Official First Day of Issue” at the top\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eAppeal to Collectors:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eHighly appealing to collectors of the Transportation Series, agricultural history buffs, and those interested in American invention and the opening of the Midwest frontier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e📚 Historical Context:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIssued on May 22, 1987, in Moline, Illinois—home of the John Deere Company—this 14¢ stamp marks the 150th anniversary of John Deere’s groundbreaking invention. In 1837, Deere developed a polished steel plow that “scoured” itself clean of sticky prairie soil, solving a major problem that had previously made farming the rich Midwest nearly impossible. His innovation dramatically increased agricultural productivity and helped transform the American heartland into the nation’s breadbasket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e💎 Collectible Value:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eTypical Market Value or Rarity:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAs a well-designed ArtCraft First Day Cover from the Transportation Series with a clear Moline cancellation and strong agricultural theme, it remains readily available yet desirable for topical collectors and is typically valued in the $5–$15 range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003eWho Would Be Interested:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCollectors specializing in the U.S. Transportation Series stamps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnthusiasts of American agricultural history and John Deere memorabilia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePhilatelists interested in inventions that shaped the Midwest frontier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThose building collections around farming tools, prairie settlement, and 19th-century innovation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"auto\"\u003e✨ Unexpected or Notable Details:\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe cachet vividly captures the moment John Deere demonstrated his new steel plow to skeptical farmers, highlighting the practical innovation that changed American agriculture forever. The separate detailed drawing of the plow itself adds educational value. Issued in Moline, Illinois—the heart of John Deere’s manufacturing empire—the postmark gives the cover strong geographic and corporate relevance to this landmark 150th anniversary tribute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdd this rare 1987 Self-scouring Steel Plow First Day Cover to your collection today!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51294299422884,"sku":null,"price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/05102025_022.jpg?v=1775156506","url":"https:\/\/fdc-vault.com\/products\/1987-self-scouring-steel-plow-first-day-cover-transportation-series","provider":"Maple Springs - FDC Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}