Geneva First Day Cancellations

When the "Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy" issue was introduced on November 18, 1977, special cancellation was used. This was a normal practice for First Day Covers in Geneva and Vienna. New York produced the 1st special cancel for this issue that would be used there. It was a machine cancel whereas the Europeans would use a hand cancel. 

It was also a practice to cancel the FDC in two places. (1) cancelling the stamp and (2) positioned on the cover in the clear so that the cancel can be seen clearly.

The blowup of the cachet and cancel shows how this practice allows the cancel to be seen clearly and can be the subject of a topical nature. In addition the use of the hand cancel allows all covers to have a clear and distinct cancel. 

If you are a topically oriented collector, be sure to watch for the combination of the cachet design and the cancel to relate to the topic. 

Good Collecting