F401

Migratory Bird

Ruddy Ducks

Collins Cover Announcement 

IMPORTANT NOTICE 

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE REQUIRED 

I was requested by present and prospective customers to consider doing a First Day Cover for the 1981 Federal Migratory Bird Stamp which will be issued on July 1, 1981. This year's "Duck" Stamp will feature the Ruddy Duck. The cachet will show large and detailed likenesses of both the drake and hen in a natural setting. They will be carefully handpainted in realistic colors which will truly reflect the beauty of these handsome waterfowl. The First Day cancel will be secured at an appropriate city. The cost will be $18 per cover.

Each stamp has a face value of $7.50, and due to this high cost, I will be doing a very limited number of covers estimated at 325 to 375. Only current customers are receiving this notice, and I expect an immediate sell-out. There is a limit of two covers per customer. Because of the cost of the stamps, I must request that if you want this cover you send a deposit of $9 now and pay the other $9 upon delivery. You can, of course, prepay the full price of $18.00.

Some of you were disappointed at the fast sell-out of the Reagan covers, and I expect the same thing to happen with the Ruddy Duck. I anticipate doing an annual cover for the Migratory Bird Stamps and since this is the first it should become quite a collectable. To reserve yours, please send your $9 per cover deposit so that it reaches me not later than July 7th, and if possible immediately to help off-set my stamp purchase expense on July 1st. You may order one or two covers - please do not request more. F401

Spring 2017 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 9 F401 — 1981 Ruddy Duck "The First Coffins Duck"

This historic cover was produced in 1981 which was the first year that the U.S. Postal Service officially canceled federal "Duck" stamp first day covers. Only four cachetmakers, including myself, serviced "Duck" FDCs in that first year, and of those, only Collins had a hand painted cachet. As you can imagine, having such a distinction it has become a prime migratory waterfowl collectible which is eagerly sought.

The large, attractive stamp showing a pair of ruddy ducks is at the upper right. To meet the postal requirements, I used the 6-cent Woodduck Waterfowl Conservation stamp and the 18-cent Blue Heron Save Wetland Habitats stamp. All three are tied to the cover with a crisp jumbo bullseye first day of issue postmark from Washington, DC. The hand painted cachet shows a ruddy pair with layers of earth-tone brown plumage in front of green reeds and swimming in swirls of multi-blue waters. This Collins began what is now the most continuous cachet for United States "Duck" stamps. Something special.