F2001

Olympic Baseball

Cooperstown Field

Collins Cover Announcement 

OLYMPIC BASEBALL

Baseball First Day Covers are easily the most popular, most sought after, and most enduring of all subjects. This COLLINS is quite beautiful and captures the essence of the early origins of the game while at the same time paying tribute to the multi-country sport that it has become. And, it does it in an eye-pleasing manner that incorporates the colorful action stamp and an incredibly fine First Day postmark. It is my prediction here, and I stand on my solid foundation, that this COLLINS Baseball cover will forever be sought in our hobby and that it will quickly gain a reputation as a prime collectible.

The stamps were picked up on the Day of Issue in the official city of Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta is the site of the 1996 Games. Licking and sticking was accomplished on the flight. At Newark I began my northern-bound drive with the "Cradle of Baseball" as my destination. Up Route 17 through the Catskill Mountains of Sullivan County. At Roscoe I left the highway and took a little used road around the Pepacton Reservoir to the small community of Andes. Early spring was in the air and the drive was exhilarating. On through the towns of Delhi and Oneonta to finally reach my destination -- the picturesque village of Cooperstown, New York. I wanted each collector to know the route that these wonderful covers traveled as they came into existence.

At the Cooperstown Post Office I met the new Postmaster for the first time. She was extremely cordial and cooperative and the resulting actual Day of Issue postmarks are superb -- a large, clear, red bullseye that goes perfectly with the catcher's uniform in the stamp. I am very proud that, despite the stamps being issued in distant Georgia, I was able to obtain this super Cooperstown cancel. The Post Office, by the way, is directly across from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The hand-painted cachet is truly a thing of beauty. A turn-of-thecentury game is taking place. Watercolors achieve a marvelous "look" that must be seen to be appreciated. The grass of the infield and outfield. The uniforms of the players. The crowd of spectators. This Baseball COLLINS FDC sincerely projects a by-gone era. The title text proclaims "From the Fields of Cooperstown to International Sport". With a considerable commitment of time, as any artist will be able to confirm, each of these letters, done in a distinctive type style, is individually highlighted by hand painting. The decision to "go for it" was the right one because the title text done in this painstaking manner sets the tone for the entire cover. 

Finally, I address the important fact that the Olympics do encompass the community of nations. On my cover beneath the words "International Sport", I list the United States and six other countries where baseball has become entrenched in their national fabric. Japan celebrates it as its favorite sport. Cuba won the 1992 Gold Medal. Canada won the World Series. Venezuela represents the South American continent. Nicaragua stands tall in the Central American region. The Dominican Republic is a tribute to the skills of Caribbean ballplayers. Of course, many other countries have adopted the game, and, now that it is an official event in the Olympics, its popularity world-wide is sure to grow each year.

Do not miss this cover. Any baseball FDC I've ever offered has sold out pronto. Jackie Robinson. Babe Ruth. Roberto Clemente. Lou Gehrig. And, since in addition to COLLINS collectors there is a large body of Baseball, Olympic, and Sports collectors, the demand for this cover will be intense. For my regulars, I don't have to mention what the cost result will be on the open market once I'm sold out. As has always been my policy, my subscribers will first be satisfied for their subscription amounts. Then I will fill one each for non-subscribers who order. Finally, I will fill multiple orders (which I am happy to accept) as fairly as possible on a first-come, first-served basis. I cannot guarantee extras for anyone or even singles for non-subscribers. Also, I reserve the right as always to reduce multiple orders, if necessary, to achieve as much fairness as possible. Avoid disappointment by ordering promptly. Due to the expected demand, please allow two to four weeks for delivery. In all probability, this will be a more or less instant sell-out, so don't miss obtaining it at original offering price.

A Baseball/Olympic stamp (with rings) showing a runner sliding into home and a catcher applying the tag. A great Cooperstown, New York First Day postmark actually obtained on Issue Date despite stamps coming out in Atlanta, Georgia. The large, red bullseye tying the stamp to the cover. An "entire" hand-painted COLLINS cachet showing the game as it has always been played -- then and now -- on the diamonds of summer. America's national pasttime. The handpainted lettering of the titles and the link of the various countries to the Olympics and to the origins of the game. From the Fields of Cooperstown to International Sport. Item #F2001. $12.00.

Spring 2021 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 22 F2001 — Olympic Baseball — 4/3/92

When the official city post office in Atlanta, Georgia opened, I was the first in line to get the new baseball stamps. While waiting at the gate for my flight and during the flight itself, I was busy affixing the stamps. Upon landing, I gave some of the stamped covers to my friend Hank. He would go to New York City to obtain first day cancels for my "Baseball in New York" cachet variety. Heading north with the rest of the covers, I stopped at home to pick up Linda, Ryan, and Christina. Within a short time, we were driving through the beautiful Catskill Mountains to Cooperstown, New York. The first day postmark obtained there is a large, clear red bullseye, and I knew immediately it would be a home run with collectors. After a long day, Linda and I told the kids we would be staying overnight so we could visit the Baseball Hall of Fame the next day. The hand painted cachet shows an old-time game in progress and also lists several countries that excel in international competition on the diamond. A beautiful baseball cover. 

Summer 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 17 F2001 — Olympic Baseball — 4-3-92

When the official city post office in Atlanta, Georgia opened, I was the first in line to get the new baseball stamps. While waiting at the gate for my flight and during the flight itself, I was busy affixing the stamps. Upon landing I gave some of the stamped covers to my friend Hank. He would go to New York City to obtain first day cancels for my "Baseball in New York" cachet variety. Heading north with the rest of the covers, I stopped at home to pick up Linda, Ryan, and Christina. Within a short time, we were driving through the beautiful Catskill Mountains to Cooperstown, New York. The first obtained there is a large, clear red bullseye, and I knew immediately it would be a home run with collectors. After a long day, Linda and I told the kids we would be staying overnight so we could visit the Baseball Hall of Fame the next day. The hand painted cachet shows an old-time game in progress and also lists several countries that excel in international competition on the diamond. A beautiful baseball cover.