U1101

Christmas

Village Scene

Collins Cover Announcement 

1986 CHRISTMAS

VILLAGE SCENE

When you were a kid, did you enjoy the Christmas train set that circled the miniature village? I sure did, and it was (and is) amazing how much pleasure that simple oval track could bring. The black engine and coal car, the red caboose, and all the multi-colored, multi-purpose cars in between. Around and around and around they went. Engrossing. Enchanting. Holiday magic.

Upon seeing the "Village" stamps, I knew at once that I wanted to re-create (as much as possible) that magic time of Christmas past. And so, I offer you one of the most unusual and memory-provoking Christmas covers that you will ever see. I've re-created the brightly colored buildings. Remember those plastic, wooden and cardboard ones? The steepled church, the red barn, the two-story hotel and many others. I've added the tunnel and water tower. The little cars and trucks. The miniature trees and telephone poles. And many more surprises. I've made our village extensive, covering the entire face of the cover. And, I've incorporated the stamps into the design with the tracks running "behind" them. The two stamps each have a First Day cancel -- one the Official of Snow Hill, Maryland, and one the Unofficial that I chose for this COLLINS. What city was my Unofficial? Please read on.

My cachet idea was triggered by the memories of bygone Christmas mornings with my family -- Mom, Dad, sister Peg and brother Bob, so I was delighted when I chanced upon the name of a town in Illinois that would be perfect for this Christmas village. The name is on our "cachet train station" as well as the Unofficial (real) First Day Cancel. The miniature village in your COLLINS collection and in our hobby will from this day forth be known as COLLINSVILLE. Item #U1101 - $8.00

Spring 2023 Mail Sale Commentary

Lot 24 U1101 — Christmas Model Train Village — Show Hill, Maryland (10-24-86)

I grew up (as did many of us) in the era of the model train by the base of the Christmas tree. Each ,year I looked forward to adding a specialized train car or two; a track accessory or extension and,

of course, a building or two for the village of "Plasticville." To my delight, this 1986 issue gave me the opportunity to revisit those days and create my own cachet village of Collinsville. 

Buildings within the village are so designated. A second stamp was then added, and I took the covers to Collinsville, Illinois for an additional day of issue postmark to make this a true Collins exclusive. A personal favorite with ties to my childhood. Nice for railroad collectors.