M401s

James Hoban

White House Architect

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

JAMES HOBAN

This was an unusual issue as it took place around the time of the rate change, and it was actually issued in two denominations - eighteen and twenty cents. The issue honors the White House architect - Irishman James Hoban.

The 20 stamp is officially hand canceled "First Day of Issue" in Washington, D.C., and the 1E3 stamp is unofficially hand canceled in Dublin, PA. The unofficial is a nice one with killer bars, and both stamps and cancels are well balanced for a good appearance.

The cachet shows a large White House with Hoban overlooking it. Painted by hand, the colors chosen are somewhat soft and the soft glow of lighted windows adds appeal to the stately Executive Mansion. The good cancels with Dublin unofficial, the rare combination of the same stamp in two different amounts, and the handpainted cachet all combine to make this an interesting and attractive FDC. Item #M401 - $5.50