I have paid attention to postmarks for much of my philatelic life. I probably noticed them on the used stamps in my first album (I received my mother’s childhood album as a gift on probably my 10th birthday). I still remember the first time I received a first day cover in the mail — it was Scott #1710 from the United States, a 13-cent stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s solo transatlantic flight and the first of many through what was to be a long subscription to the Postal Commemorative Society. I don’t recall which was the first non-U.S. first day cover I ever saw but do remember it was from Great Britain and was amazed at the elaborate postmark having become accustomed to the standard American “FIRST DAY OF ISSUE” cancellations.