B701

Priority Mail

Eagle & Moon

Collins Cover Announcement 

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT 

SPACE SHUTTLE/EXPRESS MAIL STAMP

($9.35 HIGH VALUE)

After much inner-conflict about this new stamp as to whether or not to do a cover, I have decided to do it with a special condition that will benefit all of you "current" COLLINS collectors. The two main reasons for not doing the cover were (1) many collectors feel that this issue is another example of the USPS taking advantage again with a high price item; and (2) I felt that this would be an additional financial strain on many of you that are purchasing my high price duck covers and all of the many current issues. There were four reasons that I ultimately decided outweighed the two negative ones above: (1) it is the highest value stamp ever issued by USPS and as such could prove to be a very important one for collectors and "COLLINS" FDCs should be represented. (2) the very high value will keep the overall number of FDCs produced quite small in comparison with usual .20 cent issue thus increasing chance for appreciation; (3) the publicity given to this stamp and the "space shuttle souvenir covers" will add to the interest in FDCs of the same issue not to mention the general topical collecting interest in space shuttles; and (4) it is highly likely that a COLLINS FDC for this issue will increase in value so that the price paid by a collector will be justified.

These are the reasons I decided to go ahead with the project-plus that collectors who have mentioned this stamp favor me doing a cover by about a 3 to I margin. I would be most interested (whether or not you order this cover) to know if you favor my doing a cover or would have preferred that I skipped it.

Now for the special condition I mentioned. I intend on only doing the number of covers that I get orders for plus about 25 for my family, AFDCS Donation auctions, ETc. In other words, this will be the first-ever guaranteed immediate sell-out for COLLINS FDCs because I will produce no extras. I believe that this feature should make the acquisition of this cover very attractive to each of you because any collector who wants to add this cover to his or her colleaion in the future will have to look to the only source of supply and that source will be COLLINS collectors as of August 1983.

To prevent individuals from taking advantage of this offer, I am limiting Purchases to two covers per present customer (the only exception being those very few individuals who regularly order more than two of each cover I do - they may chose to order their usual number.) PLEASE do not request more than the number as set forth above.

I do suggest that each of you receiving this letter consider obtaining one or two of these FDCs. It will be your only  chance before sold out and vou risk nothing as I will always buy the cover back from you at purchase price. I cannot give details as to concei(s)? as issue date will be a Sunday. Likewise, I am working on a cachet design but no firm details yet. I do promise an excellent FDC.

If you want to order one or more covers, I must have pre-payment received by me as of Friday, August 12th and I would prefer it sooner if possible. The cash outlay for the stamps will be staggering and pre-payment is the only way I can do it. Cost of each cover will be $23.50. 

Winter 2021 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 17 B701 — $9.35 High Value Express Mail — Eagle and Moon on stamp

What a magnificent Collins first day cover this is! It still makes me a little emotional to think this was created in 1983 during my early years. When placing your bid, remember it is almost 40 years old with lots of upside potential. The stamp is jumbo in size and pictures an eagle and the moon. The hand painted "entire" cachet is entitled "America's Pioneers." It shows the American eagle standing on a scroll from our 1700's pioneer forefathers, a covered wagon from our 1800's westward expansion pioneers; and a space shuttle blasting off carrying our 1900's Space Pioneers. Please refer to the enclosed illustration of this hand painted cover. It is inspirational!