S1903

Space Exploration

Earth, Landsat

Collins Cover Announcement 

SPACE EXPLORATION

Earth/Landsat

With solar panes extended, the Landsat spacecraft orbits high above the planet we call home. This hand-painted cachet shows the earth's surface features with water, earth and clouds all interacting. By using watercolors, a very realistic rendition is achieved and you will enjoy adding this FDC to your COLLINS Space Exploration collection.

Earth, third planet from the sun, probably came into existence about five billion years ago by the destructive explosive blast of a massive star. It probably took another two to three billion years to transform the earth into the hospitable conditions that support our planet's many lifeforms. Several layers of atmosphere protect us from the sun's rays, especially the ozone layer. The oceans, which cover two-thirds of the planet's surface, affect the cycles of rain and drought plus help to regulate the atmosphere. From our core, constant energy translates into an ever-changing face that moves continents and builds islands. All of these systems link together providing perhaps the only home to living matter in our solar system -- the solar system which we humans are now, finally, in the process of exploring. And so, this COLLINS FDC is of special interest to this set for it is here that our quests for information and knowledge begin. Today our solar system. Tomorrow beyond.

Previously offered planets in this set and still available at $8.75 each are:

S1906 - Jupiter/Voyager I 

S1907 - Saturn/Voyager II 

S1908 - Uranus/Voyager II 

S1909 - Neptune/Voyager II

It is clear that this "space" issue is going to be a popular one. If you still need any of the above or desire extras, don't miss out. "Sold out" COLLINS Covers with a space theme always prove to be sought after items on the open market.

This cover marks my half-way point in the offering of this ten-cover set. My earth cover represents where we have come from and the final cover -- Pluto -- will provide a taste of where we are going. Be sure that your collection has them all. This marks the fifth one offered to date and the remaining five will be available soon. Earth. Item #S1903. $8.75.

Winter 2026 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 20 S1901 — S1910 — Solar System Space Stamps (set of ten covers) — /0/1/91

The USPS "Space Exploration" stamps, issued October 1, 1991, featured the nine planets and Earth's moon with their respective spacecraft, celebrating the solar system and kicking off National Stamp Collecting Month. The heavenly bodies shown are Mercury, Venus, Earth, (Earth's moon), Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.

The USPS partnered with Paramount Studios to promote the stamps. The studio was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Star Trek movies and television series. The stamp designs were unveiled on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, the space vehicle featured in the series.

These stamps show some of the spacecraft and the images of the planets they captured as they flew by. Discoveries continue to be made with the space probes that still travel our solar system."

Each of my ten hand-painted first day covers depicts one of the nine planets plus the Earth's moon. Since Pluto had not yet had a fly-by or been explored by any manmade craft, I depicted the US.S. Enterprise from the show Star Trek.