O301

Flowers

Rose, Camellia, Dahlia, Lily

Collins Cover Announcement 

FLOWERS

This cover is a must as the colors of the stamps and cachet combine to make a truly beautiful FDC. The hand-painted cachet shows each of the four flowers - camellia, rose, lily and dahlia - in watercolors. It has become one of my personal favorites, and I urge you not to miss this one.

I arrived in Macon, Georgia the night of April 22nd. Next morning found me on the road to Fort Valley - driving through the lush green Georgia countryside contrasted by the striking red soil. Entering Peach County, I crossed Mule Creek and Mossy Creek before arriving at Fort Valley Post Office. After servicing covers, it was a race back to the Macon Airport for a 10:45 flight. In planning, I wasn't sure if I could make it, so I had a chartered plane at Lowe Aviation reserved just in case. I did make the flight and took off for Atlanta where I changed planes for Tampa, Florida. Arriving in Tampa, I again had a rental car waiting for my drive to Floral City, the unofficial cancel. On my way to Floral City, I passed palm trees and orange groves, finally reaching Citrus County. The entrance to Floral City is graced by beautiful, old majestic moss covered oak trees. Soon I was on the road back to Tampa, another flight and another First Day in Portland, Maine the next day.

Item # O301. - Flowers - hand canceled "First Day of Issue" on pair at Fort Valley, Georgia. Unofficial hand cancel from Floral City, Florida on opposite pair. Hand painted cachet. $5.75

Winter 2026 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 7 0301 — Flowers USA — 4/23/81

This is a lovely early Collins Flowers first day cover that has each of the four stamps from this issue on the envelope. The hand-painted cachet shows each of the four flowers — camellia, rose, lily, and dahlia — in appropriate watercolors.

I arrived in Macon, Georgia the night of April 221K. The next morning found me on the road to Fort Valley — driving through the lush green Georgia countryside contrasted by the striking red soil. Entering Peach County, I crossed Mule Creek and Mossy Creek before arriving at Fort Valley Post Office. After servicing the covers, T raced back to Macon Airport for a 10:45 flight. In planning, I wasn't sure if I could make it, so I had a chartered plane at Lowe Aviation reserved just in case. Luckily, -I did make the flight and took off for Atlanta. I then changed planes for Tampa, Florida where I again had a rental car waiting for my drive to Floral City, the unofficial cancel. It was an extremely busy 24-hour period, but the final results were very rewarding. This is the first time the cover with four lovely flowers has been offered in a mail sale.