Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

MSS 16657, U.S.S. Virginia Submarine First Day Covers SSN-774, Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia Library.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was a gift from Edward Gaynor to the Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia Library on June 1, 2016.

Biographical / Historical

The U.S.S. Virginia (SSN 774) is a Virginia-class attack submarine.The Virginia-class, also known as the VA-class or 774-class, is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines in service with the U.S. Navy. The submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions. They were conceived as a less expensive alternative to the Seawolf-class attack submarines, designed during the Cold War era, and are replacing older Los Angeles-class submarines, 29 of which have already been decommissioned.

Source: "U.S.S. Virginia (SSN774)" Wikipedia. Accessed 2/3/22. https://www.sublant.usff.navy.mil/SSN774/

Content Description

Two first day covers commemorating the christening and commissioning of the U.S.S. Virginia, SSN-774, the lead ship in the Virginia Class of submarines.