U1001

Arkansas Statehood

150th Anniversary

Collins Cover Commentary

ARKANSAS STATEHOOD

This was the first issue of 1986, and on January 3rd I drove into Little Rock to pick up the stamps that commemorated the 150th Anniversary of Statehood. Having purchased the stamps, I left the city limits behind and headed for the hills. My route took me through the center of Ozark National Forest and past nearby communities such as Hattieville, Lost Corner, Coal Hill and Mountain Top. The Ozarks have established themselves in American lore as the land of fresh air, clean water and down-to-earth country folk. What better place to get this new stamp canceled than the town of Ozark, Arkansas? The fellow at the postal window was a prime example of "down home" courtesy and a credit to the LISPS.

To go along with the Ozark cancel, don't you know that I just had to continue with the mountain folk theme, and three good oie boys are strummin' up a country tune on banjo, guitar and dulcimer. The front yard of a mountain cabin is their stage -- their only audience is the hound sitting on the front porch with a sort of indifferent look on its face. Also on the porch, close at hand, is the little brown jug which no doubt contains some of that "good old mountain dew". Through an open door, the wood-burning stove stands ready to take the chill off the cool mountain nights, and in the background, the hilly and mountainous vista sets the tone for this hand-painted COLLINS.

I truly enjoyed this trip, and I know you will enjoy starting off your 1986 COLLINS collection with this country cover -- an "entire" cachet that captures the spirit of Arkansas and an unofficial cancel actually done on the First Day of Issue in Ozark. To my knowledge, no other FDC has this cancel. A nice collectible. Item # U1001. $7.50