A First Day of Issue cover celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the First Ascent of Mount Everest, signed by New Zealand mountain climber Sir Edmund Hillary (1919-2008), as "Ed. Hillary," and by Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay (ca. 1914-1986), as "Tenzing" in the lower left corner. The signed FDC cover is housed in a protective plastic sleeve to the left of a protected card summarizing Hillary and Norgay's May 29, 1953 mission. The flaps fold in and are stored in a dark blue vinyl case with silver-embossed "The 25th Anniversary of the First Ascent of Mount Everest Commemorative" on the front cover. Norgay's signature has minor haloing but is still boldly delineated. Expected surface wear, else near fine. The cover measures 8" x 4.5" while the case measures 8.675" x 5.375" x .875."

The First Day of Issue cover depicts a color cachet of Mount Everest, with a commemorative silver coin inset at its center. A Certificate of Authenticity is found verso, dated June 1, 1978, stating in part: "This will certify that this is a First Day of Issue Cover, bearing two commemorative postage stamps issued by the Kingdom of Nepal honoring the 25th Anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest. This cover has been postmarked at Namche Bazar, the post office serving Thyangboche, site of the base camp of the original mission, with the official first day of issue cancellation for the stamps of May 29, 1978."

Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first alpinists to successfully summit Mount Everest, the 29,000-foot-high mountain in the Himalayas range and the tallest mountain in the world, on May 29, 1953.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!