Bicycle stamps on postal stationery and other postal items
Soviet Union 1979 illustrated stamped envelope promoting the 1980 Moscow Olympics with cyclist cancellationUSA 1898 1¢ postal card for the
Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition depicting two bicycles on a bridgeUSA 2003 bicycle stamp maximum cardFaroes 2016 first day cover with Think Green bicycle stamp
Bicycles on postal items includes bicycles on
postal stationery and other postal items depicting bicycles such as
postcards,
first day covers and items delivered by
bicycle mail. The collection of bicycles on postal items is commonly associated with collecting
bicycles on stamps, or collecting the stamps and postal stationery of a specific country.[1]
Definition
The definition of exactly what constitutes bicycles on postal items is open to debate.[2] As the subject is extensive, each collector individually determines their own rules for what should be included in their collection.[3]
Bicycles on postal items fall into one of the following categories:
A piece of postal stationery depicting a bicycle. The official definition is: "Postal stationery comprises postal matter which either bears an officially authorized pre-printed stamp or device or inscription indicating that a specific rate of postage or related service has been prepaid".[4][5]
It depicts a bicycle or
cyclist in a social context. For example, a cyclist in a street scene, cycling as an energy-efficient, green, mode of transport, or cycling promoting
road safety.
It depicts a building used specifically for cycling sport, i.e. a
velodrome.
It depicts a person notable for being a cyclist, e.g. a winner of the
Tour de France, or cycling events at the
Olympic Games.
It depicts the process of manufacturing a bicycle, or a notable bicycle manufacturer (individual or firm).
It depicts the word "bicycle" in the local language, even if the image of a bicycle is not included. The word
triathlon without an image of a bicycle is excluded.
Depiction of bicycles on postal items
Subjects depicted on bicycle postal items include:
^Some collectors believe that the existence of human-powered parts, such as pedals and a bicycle chain, in the pictured bicycle should make the image acceptable, even if the machine is power-assisted.