Robert Indiana Boldly Signed "Love" FDC

A Fleetwood First Day of Issue postal cover boldly signed in red marker by Robert Indiana (1928-2018), the famous American pop artist, as "R Indiana" at lower right. The signature alone measures 4" x 1.75." Bearing an 8-cent "Love" stamp after Indiana's famous design, issued by the U.S. Postal Service on January 26, 1973. With a color cachet incorporating a common nineteenth-century Valentine's Day poem, "I love thee, Oh, I love thee / Dearer art thou than life." Postmarked in Philadelphia on January 26, 1973. Pencil inscribed by a former collector verso. Near fine. 6.5" x 3.625." Provenance: Ex-Noel Goldblatt (ca. 1926-2003) of the famous Goldblatt's Department Store, to a prominent Los Angeles, California collector.

Indiana's most iconic design, his "Love" image, with its stacked letters and slightly tilted "o", has been produced in print and in sculptural form. Indiana first developed it in the late 1950s. It gained real traction after its issue as a Museum of Modern Art Christmas card cover in 1964.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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