A1102s

Republic of Texas

150th Anniversary

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS 

This issue was eagerly awaited, and the many and varied First Day Covers produced will provide present and future collectors with a wealth of fine items. The Texas theme struck the right chord with me, and I decided to make a super effort to produce two COLLINS varieties. The details of each follow. Please take note of the "02" as it is one of those special items that come along only every so often.

My trip to Texas was an enjoyable re-tracement over the paths of history. San Antonio, site of the Alamo mission, was one of the official cities along with Washington-on-the-Brazos where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed. For my unofficials I chose two very significant Texas towns. Gonzales was the place where the first shots were fired when a detachment of Mexican soldiers was sent to impound a cannon possessed by Texans. The Texans refused with a "come and get it" challenge, and the Mexicans returned to their post empty-handed. Later, Gonzales supplied the last small group of volunteers to reinforce the doomed Alamo garrison. My other unofficial town was Goliad. A large body of several hundred Texan troops was stationed there and they marched north to bolster the Alamo's defenses against Santa Ana. They could not make it and returned to Goliad. Shortly after the Alamo fell, the Mexicans marched south and the Texans of Goliad surrendered. On Palm Sunday, each and every man was shot by firing squad.

These two COLLINS covers will certainly rank among the finest made for this stamp. I urge you to add them to your collection.

Texas Sesquicentennial - 1986 

This is a western-theme FDC that portrays many symbols of the legendary Lone-Star State. Dominating at center is an awesome Texas longhorn -representing the cattle industry that gave rise to the romantic and exciting lore of the American cowboy. Leather saddle and silver spur are also depicted as a tribute to these "riders of the range". In contrast, a large but delicate "yellow rose of Texas" adds a softer touch. The watercolors used on the petals and leaves blend nicely for a pleasing look. The star-shaped Texas ranger badge pays tribute to law and order, and the badge is backed up by a holstered six-gun with full cartridge belt. Not to be left out, modern Texas is represented by a field of oil rigs, and one of them has burst upwards with a full-fledged gusher. A border containing 56 brands (plus my COLLINS brand, pardner) surrounds all of the above illustrations tying them together.

The unofficial cancel for this cover was Gonzales, Texas where the first shots of the war were fired. Also, a small contingent of Gonzales volunteers was the last group of reinforcements for the Alamo before the garrison was wiped out. It is an excellent "related" true First Day cancel.

This is a fitting cover for the proud State of Texas. Item #A1101 $7.50.

Spring 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 14 A1102 — Republic of Texas (3-2-86)

This scarce Collins variety is the only one that first day cover pioneer Torkel Gundel and I did together. He did the center portion of the cachet — comprised of a map and his familiar little writeup, and I produced the remainder of the cachet, plus I went to Texas to obtain the cancels. The story of my trip to the Lone Star State and copies of letters from Tork relating to our joint project are presented on pages 58 to 59 of my 1998 book. One single has the official postmark from Washington-on-the Brazos, Texas, and another single has a wonderful extra-large postmark from Goliad, Texas. My good friend Tork passed away five years after this cover was made.