First Day of Issue of the U.S. IGY stamp, May 31, 1958

According to the American First Day Cover Society,

Although most U.S. stamps are released nationwide on the first day, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will designate a single city as the "official" first day city. (Sometimes multiple cities are designated as “official.”) The location is usually appropriate to the subject of the stamp, and will be the only place where the “First Day of Issue” postmark is used. A specific day is selected for release of the new stamp, one which may be significant to the subject. Generally a First Day Of Issue (FDOI) ceremony is sponsored by the Postal Service or an organization associated with the new stamp.

The U.S. IGY stamp was issued on May 31, 1958, during Compex 1958. The Combined Philatelic Exhibition of Chicagoland (Compex), is organized by six  stamp clubs in the Chicago area. I haven't figured out any particular reason for the location or timing of this. The date was one year into the 18-month IGY. The Compex web site is currently down. Linn's Stamp News posted an announcement for this year's 63rd show. That would have made the 1958 show COMPEX's first one, so nabbing the ceremony was a bit of a coup. 

Below are scans of my copy of the FDOI Ceremony program for the U.S. IGY stamp. The front page of the program includes the basic information about Compex, an image of the stamp, and a copy of the stamp itself with the first day cancellation, including the pictorial cancellation showing the IGY logo.

Front cover, with first day of issue cancellation

The inside shows the program. Dignitaries present include Arthur Summerfield, Postmaster General from 1953-1961, tied for second in longevity of Postmasters General. Another participant was Franklin Bruns, a noted stamp collector who at that time was the first director of philately for the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee. I would like to know who the scientists representing the U.S. IGY program were, but no luck on that yet.

Inside pages - program

Back cover

I also have first day covers with cachets representing the Compex expo, and also for the venue, the historic LaSalle Hotel.

FDC with cachet for Compex, 1958

FDC with cachet for the LaSalle Hotel venue for Compex, 1958

Deltiology, picture postcard collecting, is a field unto itself. I have two picture postcards with Chicago imagery, that include first day cancellations of the IGY stamp. I guess the government made money on these, since the postcard rate was only 2¢. Well, neither were the cards sent, so more savings there.

FDOI cancellation of postcard illustrating an aerial view of Chicago

Back of card

Front of postcard with views of Chicago and Midway Airport

FDOI cancellation on back of card