If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 429

First Day of Issue, John Knox Witherspoon, Patriot, 1975

The postcard this week is a “First Day of Issue” featuring the patriot, John Knox Witherspoon (1723-1794), who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It is postmarked 10 November 1975.  This is in a series of First Day of Issue cards and stamps that featured notable early Americans.   The series was issued just prior to the beginning of the bi-centennial year of 1976. 

On the reverse is information about Witherspoon.  As can be seen, there is no space for a private message on this side of the card.  Most First Day of Issue cards, envelopes and stamps on envelopes are collectibles.  A postcard such as this one was not necessarily meant to contain a private message.  Sometimes there are first day ceremonies to generate publicity for the new stamp.  Many First Day of Issue postcards have a pre-printed stamp at the upper right corner as this one does; others have a regular stamp with the same design. 

The picture at the left side of the card is called a cachet and is designed to provide information about the subject of the stamp.  On this card it explains why John Witherspoon’s picture is on the stamp. 

For additional information, see:

https://wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Witherspoon
https://wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Day_of_Issue
http://www.afdcs.org/fdcourse.html
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/first-day-covers-worthless-3125465