Ersttag

Ersttag is a term with German origins, meaning "first day." It is most commonly used in philately, the study and collection of postage stamps. In this context, an Ersttag or first day cover (FDC) is an envelope or card that has been posted and bears a postage stamp that has not yet been officially released for sale to the general public. The stamp must be canceled on its first day of issue.

The concept of the first day cover originated in the late 19th century. Collectors began to recognize the historical significance of having a stamp postmarked on its very first day of availability. This practice gained popularity throughout the 20th century, and today, first day covers are a popular area of stamp collecting. They are often sought after for their rarity, artistic merit (many FDCs feature specially designed cachets or illustrations related to the stamp's theme), and their connection to postal history.

Special events, anniversaries, or the introduction of new postal services can all be commemorated with the issuance of new stamps and their corresponding first day covers. The cancellation mark on an FDC is crucial, as it must clearly show the date of the stamp's official release. Collectors may obtain these by sending their own envelopes to the post office on the release date or by purchasing pre-prepared FDCs from stamp dealers or postal authorities.