I601s

Civilian Conservation Corps

Government Work Relief Program (1933)

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS

(Wildlife Theme FDC)

Our woodlands are home to a wide and wonderful variety of wildlife. Those of you who have been with me for awhile know that wildlife is one of my very favorite tonics and that I cannot pass up doing special covers for these issues. As a result of this, past COLLINS covers within this theme (CAPEX-H101; Big Game booklet pane-V301; Wildlife Habitats-D401) have been very well received and are now sold out. I would not be surprised if this cover also sells out in short order as I easily consider it my very best wildlife effort to date. (It is also in the running for best over-all cachet to date.

Because my St. Francis design was so well liked, I again decided to experiment with a new cachet concept. What emerged is a cover that actually has two cachets instead of one Both are regular size and one is positioned at left and one is at right. The single stamp with First Day bullseye hand cancel is located in the center with text below the stamp.

At the left is the majestic and towering grizzly bear; the curious and brash raccoon; and, the stealthy and shy bobcat. In the cachet at the right is the regal white-tail deer sporting a full rack of antlers; the familiar and bushy-tailed gray squirrel; and, the sly and beautiful red fox. Each animal is painted in very realistic colors and all are depicted in natural poses with the greens, golds and browns of the forest as backgrounds.

It is a lovely presentation of some of the wild treasures that conservation and sound environmental measures provide. It is also a treasure for a First Day cover collection, and you will never regret adding it to yours. Item # I601 - $6.50

Winter 2023 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 9 1601 — Civilian Conservation Corps — Wildlife Cachet — 4-5-83

This early Collins first day cover was produced forty years ago and is a fine example of my love of wildlife. The hand painting is certainly realistic and a lovely rendition of philatelic art. At the left is an awesome grizzly bear, a curious raccoon, and a stealthy lynx. At right is a prowling red fox, a familiar gray squirrel, and a magnificent white-tailed deer. The stamp dedicated to the CCC workers who helped maintain our forests and wild spaces is postmarked on first day of issue in Lurray, Virginia.