First Day Cover - Olympic Games, Australia, 1956

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Summary:: First Day Cover produced in 1956 as a souvenir of the Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia. The stamped, addressed and franked envelope is sealed but empty. It was posted to the donor's mother's father by another family member. Addressed to Paul Fetter.

The XVIth Olympiad (the Olympic Games) hosted by Melbourne in 1956, is considered a watershed event in the city's history; it was instrumental in helping create the 'modern' and 'international' city of today. A variety of souvenirs was produced for the games; handkerchiefs, tea towels, scarves, playing cards, swap cards, crockery, ashtrays, etc. These souvenirs drew upon Olympic imagery: the Olympic torch (frequently positioned over the map of Victoria), the Olympic rings, the flags of participating nations, etc.

These First Day covers were posted by a family member to the donor's mother's father and sister as keepsakes of what was an important civic event. Though neither of the donor's parents attended any of the sporting events, they were caught up in the excitement of having the games in Melbourne.
Description:: Cream envelope with an image of an athlete holding the Olympic torch above a sporting stadium in the bottom left corner. The stamps four stamps affixed to the envelope are all special Olympic issues. The envelope has a handwritten address on the obverse, and is franked.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Tania Weiser, 2010

Discipline:	Philately
Dimensions:	90 mm (Height), 164 mm (Width)

Tagged with:	civic mementoes, souvenirs, sport, photography, olympic games melbourne 1956
Themes this item is part of:	Numismatics & Philately Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection
Primary Classification:	PHILATELIC COVERS
Secondary Classification:	Australia
Tertiary Classification:	first day covers
Issue:	Olympic Games, 1956
Issue Date:	1956
Inscriptions:	Printed on upper left corner of envelope in blue: Olympic Games/ MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA/ 22nd. November/ - 8th. December/ 1956 Handwritten on obverse: Paul Fetter/ 51 Stamford St/ Sunshine/ Vic.
Addressed To:	Paul Fetter, Sunshine, Victoria, Australia, Dec 1956
Organiser of Event:	Australian Olympic Games Committee, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1956