V1001

Great Americans

Jack London - Novelist

Collins Cover Commentary

JACK LONDON

25-cent Great American Series

This is the first of my 1986 covers to be offered, and it gets the new COLLINS year off to a fine start. Being "complete" for '86 COLLINS FDCs starts here, so if you want to work toward that goal, don't delay ordering this item. As with the '85 Duck Decoy issue, this could be a fast sell-out.

The "entire" hand-painted cachet depicts a wolf pack loping across the snowy terrain of the far north. It is from "The Call of the Wild" -- one of London's most famous works. The wolves are on the hunt -- a couple show their red tongues as small splashes of bright color against their gray fur and the blue/white snow. The pack leader is staring at the viewer with intense amber eyes and barred white fangs. A vivid green tree line runs across the scene in the distance and beyond a purple, snow-capped mountain range rises to meet a powder blue sky. You will want this COLLINS cachet in your collection as Jack London's popularity will make this issue a very popular one both now and in the future.

After obtaining the stamps in Glen Ellen, California, it was on to San Francisco -- the city of Jack London's birth. A very nice, large unofficial cancel was obtained from the main Post Office. Unofficials for this issue will be somewhat on the scarce side since January 11th was a Saturday, so the London birth connection makes this a nice related First Day postmark.

An excellent FDC that will enhance any collection. Item #V1001. $7.50.

Autum 2019 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 12 V1001 — Jack London — Wolf Pack Cachet — 1/11/86

In this writer's thrilling adventure "Call of the Wild," the story opens in the Santa Clara Valley of California. This fact motivated me to pursue and obtain a Collins exclusive first day of issue postmark. It is a large and beautiful bullseye from San Francisco with a most unusual (rare) aspect. The city is designated with just the initials SF, and the zip 94101 is followed by the plus 4 (9991). On the bottom, it reads "Main Office." The story moves to Alaska during the 1890's Gold Rush. My hand painted cachet depicts a wolfpack rumfing across the snow-covered Alaskan wilderness. A beautiful wildlife cover with an amazing first day of issue postmark.