Claude
The cachet features brown ink artwork depicting a cluster of skyscrapers/buildings with radiating lines suggesting grandeur, topped by a banner reading 'ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY' and the AIA initials. Below the illustration, 'ARCHITECTS of AMERICA' is printed in large type, followed by explanatory text about the American Institute of Architects being founded in 1857. The stamp is a 3-cent purple/violet commemorative showing a column capital design with 'CENTENNIAL / AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS / 1957' text. The postmark is a machine cancel from New York, NY dated February 23, 1957, with a 'FIRST DAY OF ISSUE' slogan cancel. The cover is addressed to 1008 Sheffield St., Pittsburgh 33, PA and is in good condition with minor toning.
Mistral
This First Day Cover features a brown cachet with a dynamic cityscape of skyscrapers and radiating lines, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The stamp is a 3-cent purple issue with a depiction of a classical column capital and the text 'American Institute of Architects 1857–1957.' The cover bears a circular postmark from New York dated February 23, 1957, with a 'First Day of Issue' slogan cancel. The text on the cachet describes the founding and mission of the AIA, and the cover is addressed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
(The automatic summaries sometimes misidentify the postmark as part of the cachet artwork.)
