A first day cover is a special envelope or postcard that is issued by a postal service to commemorate the release of a new stamp. It is usually cancelled on the first day of issue and bears the date and location of the post office where it was cancelled. First day covers are popular among stamp collectors and are considered to be a form of philately.

Details about First Day Cover in NCERT Solutions: Ch-1- The Third Level, Vistas English, Class 12

The third level is a short story that revolves around the protagonist, Charley, who discovers a mysterious third level at the Grand Central Station in New York. The story mentions a first day cover, which Charley’s friend, Sam, gives to him as a gift.

The first day cover that Sam gives Charley is a special envelope that was issued to commemorate the release of a new stamp on August 1, 1894. The stamp features an image of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The first day cover is cancelled on the first day of issue and bears the date and location of the post office where it was cancelled.

The first day cover serves as a symbol of hope and escape for Charley, who becomes obsessed with the idea of using it to travel back in time to the year 1894. The first day cover represents a connection to the past and a means of escaping the present. Charley sees it as a way to escape the pressures of modern life and find a simpler, more peaceful existence.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a first day cover is a special envelope or postcard that is issued by a postal service to commemorate the release of a new stamp. It is cancelled on the first day of issue and bears the date and location of the post office where it was cancelled. In the story, The Third Level, the first day cover serves as a symbol of hope and escape for the protagonist, Charley.