1961 Range Conservation 4¢ First Day Cover (FDC) – "The Trail Boss" by C.M. Russell – Artcraft Cachet – Salt Lake City, Utah

Item Overview

• Item Type: Philatelic First Day Cover (FDC) / Western Americana Postal History

• Stamp Issued: 4¢ Range Conservation Commemorative (Scott # 1176)

• Issue Date & Postmark: Salt Lake City, Utah – FEB 2, 9:00 AM, 1961

• Cancellation Type: Official machine slogan postmark: "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE" with 4 wavy killer bars

• Cachet Maker: Artcraft (recognized by the engraved steel-die monochrome printing and classic italicized "First Day of Issue" script)

• Addressee: Typewritten address to:

  • Carl Weidt

  • 203 N. 21st St.

  • Olean, New York

Artwork & Design Highlights

• The Stamp Artwork: Features Charles Marion Russell’s iconic painting "The Trail Boss," depicting a rugged cowboy on horseback looking back over a cattle trail against rolling grasslands.

• Left Cachet Engraving: A detailed matching engraved illustration of the Russell trail boss astride his horse, titled "Range Conservation".

• Center Cachet Vignette: Inset framed motif titled "BLESSINGS OF GRASS," honoring rangeland preservation, soil health, and forage conservation across the American West.

Condition & Visual Grade

• Condition Grade: Very Fine (VF Postal Cover)

• Preservation Highlights:

  • Clean, intact envelope body with solid edge seams and sharp corners.

  • Bold, dark black Artcraft engraved cachet impression and sharp machine cancel strike.

  • The 4¢ multicolored stamp is cleanly affixed at the upper right with sound perfs.

  • Reverse flap is sealed with faint, natural handling/storage toning typical of early 1960s postal stationery.