Beginning in 1934, and continuing into today, host nations have had the honor of issuing World Cup themed stamps. The 1930 inaugural competition in Uruguay was the first and only World Cup where the host country did not issue a stamp. This First Day Cover from Chile marks the release of four postage stamps to celebrate their turn as hosts of the 1962 World Cup.
World Cup first day cover with insert
The World Cup is an international soccer competition occurring every four years. It involves the national teams of member countries of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). FIFA serves as the governing body and organizer of the competition. Thirty-two countries compete at the finals for the chance to be named champion. Since its inception, it has become one of the most popular sporting events in the world.
One of the highest distinctions for a FIFA member country is to be chosen as the host nation for the finals. Chile was awarded this privilege for the 1962 World Cup. At that time, the finals featured only sixteen teams divided into four groups for the group stage. Brazil, Chile, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia made it to the semi-finals of the knockout stage. Brazil defeated the host country and went on to win in the final 3-1 over Czechoslovakia. Chile went on to a surprising third place finish. However, the 1962 World Cup is best remembered for the “Battle of Santiago,” a physically violent group stage clash between Italy and the host nation.
Hall once referred to the football as the beautiful game. Chili against Italy from 1962, wasn't. Here's David Coleman.
Good evening. The game you're about to see is the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football possibly in the history of the game. Chile vs. Italy. This is the first time the two countries have met; we hope it will be the last.
The national motto of Chili, reads, By reason or by force. Today the Chileans were prepared to be reasonable. The Italians only used force, and the result was a disaster for the World Cup.
Now if the World Cup is going to survive in its present form something's got to be done about teams that play like this. Indeed after seeing the film tonight you at home may well think that teams that play in this manner aught to be expelled immediately from the competition. Just see what you think.
And there's trouble already. There's a fight going on in the middle there. Well this looks like turning into a real battle as two Chileans down on the field. And what a scene after just five minutes play.
Ferrini [inaudible] Oh this is absolutely ridiculous. [inaudible] And he's off the field.
[inaudible]
And the police are being called on, or the Army, the police in fact.
That was one of the most sorriest, most stupid, incredible spectacles I have ever seen anywhere in the world.
Leonel Sanchez.
And there we go again. That was one of the most egregious left hooks I've ever seen.
Well David is absolutely out cold.
Oh, that was one of the worst tackles I think I've ever seen. Sanchez pulled it right to the face. That was David and he's off the field.
[inaudible]
Well that was one of the most cold-blooded and lethal tackles I think I've ever seen.
Sanchez, remember was a man who took a swing at David a few minutes ago. Well David's got ample revenge in the worst possible way.
And so we go now into the second half of what is sure to be known as the Battle of Santiago.
Navarro. Now to Ramirez. And there it is. And the stadium's erupting. Every man in the crowd on his feet.
It's tough for us to [inaudible]. We're getting a rugby match, and a fight, and we've got everything going in there.
How Ken Aston could possibly keep this game going.
[inaudible]
The humiliation of the Italians is now complete.
[inaudible]
And I think the game is over.
Ken Aston on his way to the dressing room. To think there's ever been a football match played like this in Chile or indeed anywhere else in the world. [inaudible]
For Chile, the success of the 1962 World Cup, both for the team and the nation, was immense. Just two years prior, the country had suffered a major natural disaster with the Valdivia earthquake. Considered the most powerful earthquake on record, it devastated the country and much of its infrastructure. The resulting tsunamis wreaked havoc as far away as Hawaii and Australia. World Cup organizers worked closely with government officials to quickly rebuild and repair stadiums, roads, and other amenities in preparation for the games.
The 1962 Chilean First Day Cover features two regular issue and two airmail issue stamps in three denominations. These stamps marked the first time Chilean postal authorities developed stamps with sports imagery. The 2c and 10c stamp designs highlight two soccer players and the map of South America indicating the location of Chile. The two 5c stamp designs depict the Chilean national stadium with a soccer goalkeeper. Postmarking the envelope are three circular cancels. The center cancel is a special World Cup themed postmark with the official logo for the 1962 final. It illustrates the national stadium laid over a subtly mixed half soccer ball, half globe. The Chilean flag appears on the playing field. The text surrounding the image reads: CAMPEONATO MUNDIAL DE FUTBOL / COPA JULES RIMET (World Football Championship / Jules Rimet Cup). The other cancels indicate the issue date of May 30, 1962 and are from the town of Viña del Mar, one of the four cities that hosted soccer matches.
The cover also includes an elaborate bifold insert card. The front of the card shows an image of the Jules Rimet cup trophy, a soccer field, and the Chilean World Cup logo. The soccer field is actually a tactile surface of green velvet. The logo is applied in the center of the field and also depicted in color at the top right. The World Cup trophy is prominently illustrated on the left with a gold, sandy texture. The cup was named in 1946 to honor Rimet, the FIFA president and driving force behind the development of the soccer competition. It features Nike, the Greek goddess of Victory. The trophy passes on to each subsequent winner; however in 1970 after Brazil won the World Cup for the third time in history they were allowed to keep the Rimet cup permanently. The modern day FIFA trophy was inaugurated after that event. The inside of the card features the four soccer stamps with their first day cancels.
The tradition of host nation stamps and first day covers continues to this day. The 2010 World Cup takes place in South Africa beginning on June 11th. Be sure to collect your favorite stamp from among the issues released so far.
Learn more
- 2010 FIFA World Cup Stamps
- Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
- Soccer Philately
- Journal of Sports Philately
Written by Rebecca Johnson and Elizabeth Heydt
