J1901

Fishing Boat

Fishing Boat

Collins Cover Announcement 

FISHING BOAT

A trophy-sized bass leaps from the water in this superb hand-painted cachet. The game fish has been fooled by a brightly colored lure and the battle is about to be joined. In his boat, the fisherman reels in the slack line and positions his pole for the coming tussle. His landing net lies ready, but he knows from long experience that a lot of skill and luck will be needed to net the big bass. Seeing his quarry break water, the experienced fisherman's heightened excitement is subdued by his controlled composure.

The jumping fish has a more than even chance of escaping this episode. Although fooled by the darting, colorful plug, the hook is only tenuously and superficially set in the lower lip. With a thrashing, twisting motion and a fury of desperate strength, the bass probably has the odds on his side that he soon will be free once again cruising the familiar depths of the woodlands lake.

Just a few more words about the "entire" cachet. On the left side, the big lunker is leaping skyward with a huge spraying splash of water --what a sight! To the upper right of a unique "split" cachet to simulate distance, the fisherman sees his fish and readies for the fight. The setting is magnificent as forested shores and surrounding mountains are reflected in the still surface of the serene lake. My three fish covers in 1986 sold out very quickly, so a word to the wise is sufficient.

The actual First Day cancel is great. After picking up the stamps in Washington, a short flight and a longer drive found me along the upper reaches of the Delaware River in New York state. There, in the small riverside community of Fishs Eddy I obtained the Day of Issue postmark. "Eddy" refers to a moving current of water so Fishs Eddy is just perfect for this issue and this COLLINS Cover.

What's the conclusion to the cachet story? I'll leave that up to each of you. The lucky fisherman can now have his trophy fish mounted on the wall. Or, more likely, he can spin many tales of "the one that got away" as the big bass still lurks somewhere in that mountain lake. Item #J1901. $10.75.