M1701s

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St. Helen’s 1842 night eruption

Fred Collins Signature

Plastic (ATM) Stamp

Collinjs Cover Announcement 

PLASTIC STAMP

This COLLINS FDC is a must -- a great new experimental type stamp, a great unofficial First Day cancel, and a super great hand-painted cachet using a technique that is a first for COLLINS cachets. An exciting and different FDC!

Starting with a black scratchboard, the cachet design was etched out. This "etching" is of the famous Mount St. Helens Volcano, but here is an interesting twist. The cachet is of it erupting in dynamic and awesome nighttime splendor in the year 1842. This one must be seen. The bright blast at the apex of the mountain as Helen blows her top. The various shades of fire reflecting off clouds in the jet black heavens of the night sky. The deceiving gentle glow on the ripples of the mountain lake about to be engulfed in fury. The branches of countless mountain conifer trees lit in quiet beauty display the grandeur of vast mountainside slopes just seconds away from being leveled by the shock blast. In the lower right, a pioneer's cabin sits in a land of pristine wilderness and magnificent vistas about to experience the other extreme of nature. And, if you would look carefully, you will find man viewing the colossal event and you will wonder his thoughts as he beholds an event so beautiful for an instant that will soon rain catastrophic destruction beyond belief.

A very nice, large unofficial First Day cancel commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the recent Mt. St. Helen's eruption was obtained in Yakima, Washington. It was the availability of this cancel that inspired the cachet topic. Because of its size, the cachet was especially set up to accommodate the cancel and stamp.

The plastic stamp is a self-adhesive that was designed to be compatible with ATM's (automatic teller machines). As such, it is "different" from the usual issue and is a definite "must" for your collection. The smooth surface of the stamp did cause slight

smearing of the cancelation.

In the current October 1990 issue of Scott's Stamp Monthly, the cover story is "Volcanoes, American Style". It deals with the U.S. stamps that picture a variety of different volcano types. The article ends with a question -- "Will one of these mountains provide tomorrow's explosive headlines?" No one knows when or where future eruptions may take place, but this unique COLLINS FDC captures St. Helen's 1842 in a way that will surely enhance your cover collection. An experimental plastic stamp. A fine, St. Helen's Anniversary unofficial cancel that is probably a COLLINS exclusive. And, the first use of an "etching cachet" for my covers. The creative design coupled with the hand painting make this an outstanding collectible. Sure to be a fast sell out.

COLLINS #M1701 . $9 . 00 .

Summer 2024 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 12 M1701 — Plastic Stamp — with an etched Mount St. Helens cachet — 5-18-90

This is a really unique Collins cover offering an experimental type of stamp, a great unofficial first day cancel, and a super great hand-painted cachet using a technique that is a first for Collins cachets. It is exciting and different. Starting with a black scratchboard, the cachet design was etched out. The etching is of the famous Mount St. Helens Volcano, but there is an interesting twist. The cachet is of it erupting in dynamic and awesome nighttime splendor in the year 1842.

Due to the nighttime scene, the cachet is dark, and there is less detailed hand painting than usual, but the composition of the large postmark, the etching, and the evening eruption make this Collins a distinctive and desirable item.

The plastic stamp is self-adhesive which was unusual at that time, and it was designed to be compatible with ATMs. However, the smooth surface of the stamp did cause slight smearing of the cancellation. The postal clerk sensed the importance of the cancels, and after applying the postmarks laid each one out individually on a flat surface to dry. What great customer service! The very nice, large unofficial cancel commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Mount St. Helen's eruption was obtained in Yakima, Washington. This is the first time this unique cover has been in one of my sales.