P601

T.V.A.

Norris Hydroelectric Dam

Collins Cover Announcement

If you like FDCs (and I know you do) you'll want this COLLINS in your collection Let me give you the story as to how this cover came about. The official city was Knoxville, TN so I knew that this would be my starting point I was honing for a river theme for my unofficial and had considered Chattanooga, TN and Muscle Shoals, Alabama because they both have played such an important role in the history of the TVA. Finally, I decided on Sweetwater, TN. Plans made, I awaited the 18th and it was off to the Volunteer State.

During the morning while servicing my FDCs at the Knoxville Post Office, a collector stopped to chat which is not an unusual occurrence. During our conversation, the gent noted I was putting on an extra stamp and asked if I was going to Chattanooga for the special cancel. My ears stood up! He claimed that a TVA exhibition barge which was celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Authority was to have a special pictorial cancel to celebrate the ocbasion "Are you sure?" I asked. "I am" he replied Right then I decided to head south and try for it -- if he was mistaken (and I had read or heard nothing about it previously) I would seek a regular Chattanooga cancel which indeed had been one of my original possibilities.

Heading down the interstate I was full of anticipation -- what a great and limited unofficial it would be. After reaching- the exhibition site on the Tennessee River I was unprepared for all the festivities. Red, white and blue bunting everywhere. Patriotic music. A huge sheet cake honoring the Anniversary (it was good,-). Crowds to see the wonderful exhibits on the floating barges that gave a reflection of the TVA's varied history, I understand I just missed Senator Howard Baker.

After getting my bearings I sought the postal station and was absolutely dismayed when the assistant exhibit director told me that the cancel was not to go into use until the next day, May 19th, Resigned, I headed to the parking lot. As I passed a phone booth one thought dominated -- the collector in Knoxville was SO SURE I called the main Chattanooga Post Office and reached the Postmaster, explained my situation and asked if he knew if the cancel could be used that day. He consulted the official bulletin. He read it to me. It clearly stated that the special cancel was to be used starting on the 18th.

Back to the assistant director and after a few verification calls and a personal visit by me to the main Chattanooga Post Office it was indeed established that the postal station with the special pictorial cancel was to go into use that day Now it was very late in the afternoon. Since the cancel was not used previously that day, I'm sure very few cancels exist at all much less on the TVA stamp. There was one lady who wandered in with her husband (I remembered them from Knoxville) and she had about 15 to 25 FDCs canceled with the pictorial. To my knowledge, these COLLINS covers are the only ones dealer produced with this anniversary cancel, and I would like to hear from you if you know of any other cachetmaker who got this cancel on the 18th. As mentioned, I don't think there was anyone. In future years when pictured in various cachet publications:this cover will be special. 

The handpainted cachet certainly adds to the desirability. It is divided into four parts surrounded by a common border: text, woodland conservation, barge on river, and agriculture Greens dominate with blues, reds, browns and yellows adding contrast. Its format is the standard COLLINS style and a one word description would be "refreshing". I think because of all the green.

There you have it. A Knoxville hand cancel at official city . The unofficial barge pictorial with text that reads: "1983-TVA 50th Anniversary, Chattanooga, TN, the Valley Adventure Station, May 18, 1983". The handpainted cachet that shows the different functions of the Authority. (Two notes: (1) the Valley Adventure was the name of the exhibition barge. (2) in the following weeks as the barge made exhibition stops down the Tennessee River, this cancel was used with appropriate date. Any collectors who have acquired these cancels (afterward there was mention of them in LINN'S comparing their collectibility to freedom train cancels), or, who may try to acquire them in the future, sure would like one of these First Day Covers.

I do expect a fairly heavy demand for them so if you would like one (or more) please let me know . This cover does not have the glamour of an Express Mail or Duck, the personal appeal of a Babe Ruth or the unique cachet design of a St Francis. What it does have are all the qualities that I strive for in all of my covers -- official and unofficial hand cancels and a handpainted cachet that features individuality instead of mass production. Summing up this rather long story, I guess I'd say that this is a typical COLLINS but certainly not a typical First Day cover, and that is what makes me feel good. Item #P601 Price $5,50