{"product_id":"nepal-1981-postage-stamp-centenary-first-day-cover-july-16-1981","title":"Nepal 1981 Postage Stamp Centenary First Day Cover (July 16, 1981)","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis is an \u003cstrong\u003eOfficial First Day Cover (FDC)\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003cstrong\u003eNepal\u003c\/strong\u003e, issued in \u003cstrong\u003e1981\u003c\/strong\u003e to commemorate the \u003cstrong\u003eCentenary of Nepalese Postage Stamps\u003c\/strong\u003e (1881–1981).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe cover features a miniature sheet (souvenir sheet, Scott #MS414 or SG MS414) with three stamps reproducing Nepal's first postage stamps from 1881 (the classic \"Sri Gunj\" or crown and crossed khukris design):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e10p stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e (blue): Reproduction of the original 1 anna stamp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e80p stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e (purple): Reproduction of the original 2 annas stamp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRs. 3.40 stamp\u003c\/strong\u003e (green): Reproduction of the original 4 annas stamp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eEach small stamp within the sheet shows the central emblem of a crown (symbolizing national unity) flanked by crossed khukris (traditional Nepali knives), with inscriptions in Devanagari script for \"Sri Gorakha Sarkar\" (Shri Gorkha Government) and value. The surrounding brown-bordered sheet includes bilingual text \"POSTAGE STAMP CENTENARY 1881-1981\" in English and Nepali, plus a national emblem (sword and khukri crossed beneath a bird, likely the garuda or royal symbol) at the top.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe envelope is plain or lightly illustrated, with trilingual inscriptions in Nepali and English: \"प्रथम दिवसीय आवरण\" (First Day Cover), \"शतवार्षिकी हुलाक टिकट\" (Postage Stamp Centenary), and cachet elements showing enlarged reproductions of the original 1881 stamps in blue, red, and green. Postmark is a hexagonal \"FIRST DAY OF ISSUE\" cancel from \u003cstrong\u003eG.P.O. Kathmandu\u003c\/strong\u003e, dated around mid-1981 (likely July 16, 1981, based on issue records; some covers show related exhibition ties to December 1981 NEPAL-81 event).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eNepal's first stamps were issued in April 1881 as a set of three (1, 2, and 4 annas) for internal use, marking the start of organized postal service under the Rana regime. This 1981 issue celebrates that milestone with \"stamp-on-stamp\" reproductions, popular among philatelists for its historical theme, miniature sheet format, and cultural symbolism. Often collected with the separate set of three stamps (Scott #392-394) or exhibition souvenirs.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Maple Springs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51233899774116,"sku":null,"price":5.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0580\/4713\/5908\/files\/20250520183528.jpg?v=1770400673","url":"https:\/\/fdc-vault.com\/products\/nepal-1981-postage-stamp-centenary-first-day-cover-july-16-1981","provider":"Maple Springs - FDC Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}