{"product_id":"christmas-1981-first-day-cover-festive-traditions","title":"U.S. 1981 James Hoban White House Architect 18¢ \u0026 20¢ First Day Cover – Washington, DC (October 13, 1981)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis is an \u003cstrong\u003eOfficial First Day Cover (FDC)\u003c\/strong\u003e from the \u003cstrong\u003eUnited States\u003c\/strong\u003e, issued on \u003cstrong\u003eOctober 13, 1981\u003c\/strong\u003e, honoring \u003cstrong\u003eJames Hoban\u003c\/strong\u003e (c. 1755–1831), the Irish-born architect who designed the \u003cstrong\u003eWhite House\u003c\/strong\u003e (originally the President's House).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe set (Scott #1935-1936) consists of \u003cstrong\u003etwo stamps\u003c\/strong\u003e with the same design but different denominations due to a postal rate change effective November 1, 1981 (from 18¢ to 20¢), avoiding a short-lived value:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e18¢ stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e: Portrait of James Hoban (young, in period attire) beside the White House, inscribed \"USA 18c James Hoban White House Architect.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e20¢ stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e: Matching design, inscribed \"USA 20c James Hoban White House Architect.\"\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe cover features a colorful cachet (signed D.K. Stone) showing Hoban in a top hat and green coat, holding architectural plans while standing before the White House under construction on scaffolding. Text at the bottom: \"James Hoban – One of the most influential architects of early America, he designed our Presidential mansion, the White House.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003ePostmarked with a circular cancel from \u003cstrong\u003eWashington, D.C.\u003c\/strong\u003e (ZIP 20013), dated \u003cstrong\u003eOCT 13 1981\u003c\/strong\u003e, including \"FIRST DAY OF ISSUE\" in the bars. The date marks the anniversary of the White House cornerstone laying on October 13, 1792.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eHoban won the 1792 design competition with a neoclassical plan influenced by Irish and European styles; he oversaw construction (1792–1800) and rebuilding after the 1814 British burning. Ireland issued a matching Hoban stamp on September 29, 1981 (150th anniversary of his death). Popular with collectors for architecture history, joint U.S.-Ireland theme, dual-denomination rarity, and elegant cachet design.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51012601610404,"sku":null,"price":4.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/05092025_018.jpg?v=1748983078","url":"https:\/\/fdc-vault.com\/products\/christmas-1981-first-day-cover-festive-traditions","provider":"Maple Springs - FDC Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}