1095 - Shipbuilding

The Shipbuilding stamp (Scott #1095) was issued on August 15th, 1957 in Bath, ME (read the postal announcement).  The stamp commemorates the building of the first ship in America, the Virginia of Sagadahoc, in 1607 by members of the short-lived Popham Colony at the mouth of the Kennebec river in Maine.  Bath had a full slate of events in August 1957 as they celebrated the 350th Anniversary of Shipbuilding in America.
I was interested in this stamp for a couple of reasons.  First, while everyone learns about the Jamestown colony, the Popham colony was a mystery to me (for more information on the colony, click here).  And second, I went to a summer camp, Camp Chewonki, near where the colony was located and was on the "Sagadahoc" team.
Below you will find photos of all my 1095 FDCs divided into six sections: Ceremony Program, Mellone, Of The Period, Add Ons, Combos, and Non FDCs.  Since cachetmakers sometimes produce different cachets for the same stamp or slightly different versions of the same cover, I am showing either a single photo, multiple photos, a photo gallery view, or a slider view (when I have additional text per cover).  Sometimes I will also add variations that have interesting cancellations (I have identified one pre-date (Aug. 14th), two unofficial cancels (Georgetown, ME and Popham Beach, ME), and five distinct Bath, ME cancels), usages, or destinations (so far the most interesting are to New Zealand, Malaya, Philippines, and Guatemala).

Uniquely, I also have seven Artcraft FDCs autographed by all the Bureau of Engraving and Printing's designers and engravers who worked on this stamp.

In all cases, you can click to see an enlarged photo of the cover or postcard.

I have also put all the 1095 FDCs I own into a single, easy to view photo gallery.
I am always on the lookout for additional 1095 Shipbuilding covers.  If you know of any cachetmakers I am missing or can provide corrections to this site (particularly in  identifying "unknown" cachetmakers), please email me at LPD Cachets.

Ceremony Program Mellone Of The Period Add Ons Combos Non FDCs

Ceremony Program

I have several copies of the official program - both the white and blue versions - given to participants and attendees of the first day ceremony held in Bath, ME on August, 15th 1957.  I have heard that there are some programs with speakers' autographs and I would love to find one of the Commemorative Albums mentioned in the program!

Mellone

These are the 25 cachets listed in Mellone's catalog for the Shipbuilding stamp.  I show many variations and usages, plus in the Artmaster section, I show the original artwork and printing plates for this issue.

M-1

M-5

M-9

M-13 thru 17

M-21

M-25

M-2

M-6

M-10

M-18

M-22

M-3

M-7

M-11

M-19

M-23

M-4

M-8

M-12

M-20

M-24

Of The Period

The following FDCs are not in Mellone's, but are "of the period"...

Unknown Covers

Unknown Postcards

Seems handpainted on stiff cardboard (not a real postcard)
Probably serviced by same person
Not uncommon - I have seen it called "Delco Colorart Maxicard"
Large (9x7) on photo stock
Used earlier in August -- repurposed later for FDC
(came with a photocopy of the reverse showing first day cancel)
(came with a photocopy of the reverse showing first day cancel)
(came with a photocopy of the reverse showing first day cancel)
(came with a photocopy of the reverse showing first day cancel)
(came with a photocopy of the reverse showing first day cancel)
Strangely, this is a photocopy of a postcard but with real stamp/cancel.
Strangely, this is a photocopy of a postcard but with real stamp/cancel.
Strangely, this is a photocopy of a postcard but with real stamp/cancel.
Strangely, this is a photocopy of a postcard but with real stamp/cancel.

Add-ons

The following FDCs are not in Mellone's, but are modern day "add-ons"...

Unknown Covers

Combos

The Shipbuilding stamp has often been used in combination with other stamps on FDCs, particularly water-oriented and Maine-related stamps.  But the most common usage is with the 1957 Special Delivery stamp (E21) which was released a few weeks after the Shipbuilding stamp.  Also, make sure to see the Hideaki Nakamo cachet in the "Other Combos" section!

E21

Other Combos

combo w/1270 - Artcraft cachet
combo w/1391 - Artcraft cachet
combo w/1391 - Artmaster cachet
combo w/1441 - America cachet
combo w/1655 - Colonial cachet
combo w/2340 - Nakamo cachet
combo w/3131 - Cortpex cachet
combo w/3131 - Unknown cachet
combo w/3389 - Colonial cachet
combo w/3389 - LEB cachet
combo w/3579 - Tillotson cachet (dual w/C138)
combo w/3869 - Artcraft cachet (dual w/U571)
combo w/4073 - Ranto (Type 4: on 2093 photo copied bulletin)
combo w/U598 - Colorano cachet
combo w/U609 - Colorano cachet
combo w/U609 - No cachet

Non FDCs

While these covers primarily show Maine/ship-related events that used the Shipbuilding stamp, there are some interesting everyday usage examples too.  There are two event covers that are fairly common, but very interesting: 1) the Launching of the N/S Savannah (1st Nuclear Merchant Vessel), and 2) Operation Deep Freeze (w/Byrd Station, Antarctica cancel).