L2301

American Music

Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Mildred Bailey & Billie Holiday

Collins Cover Announcement 

JAZZ AND BLUES LEGENDS

Billie Holiday, Ma Rainey, Mildred Bailey, Bessie Smith

For this issue of eight fabulous performers from the early age of Jazz and Blues, I decided to devote one cover to the women and one to the men. This item realy came out quite nice with a solid visual impact. The four very colorful stamps are aligned in a single row across the top of the envelope and the "fit" is just right. Because of the way they came, each stamp had to be affixed as a single to get this configuration. I then used the remaining two thirds of the envelope for my hand-painted cachet which features Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith. In choosing which paints to use, I opted for strong, bright colors to complement those in the stamps. The finished product captures that jazz "look and feeling" and I'm happy to offer it for your collection.

Just briefly a little background on the four performing vocalists pictured on the stamps. Mildred Bailey began her music career in Tekoa, Washington singing with local bands. She was the first female big band vocalist and later performed on the CBS Radio network. Billie Holiday, born Eleanore Fagan, was probably the most influential jazz singer of her time. During her career she recorded with top artists including Count Basie, Artie Shaw, and Teddy Wilson.

Born Gertrude Melissa Nix Pridgett, "Ma" Rainey is considered the Mother of the Blues. At age 14 she joined vaudeville troupes on tour and at 18 married William "Pa" Rainey. As her plaintive, poignant music caught on with the public, she named it "The Blues" and her fame grew. Bessie Smith was known as the Empress of the Blues and reigned supreme in the United States and Europe from 1923 to 1933. Coming from poverty in Chattanooga, Tennessee she began singing for pennies as a child. Bessie's expansive vocal range and her ability to charm audiences brought the Blues to countless new fans from all social backgrounds.

As the Post Office seems intent to issue an increasing number of stamps, I think it now falls on me not to follow suit but rather to keep my yearly number of covers at a reasonable level. Thus, on certain issues like the Childrens Art (four stamps but only one COLLINS Cover) and Carousel Horses (four stamps but only two COLLLINS Covers) I will endeavor to use common sense in regard to numbers. This issue is an excellent example because I think this item will actually become a very collectible FDC since it honors all four of these outstanding entertainers on one piece. It captures the subject in COLLINS fashion. Ladies of Jazz and Blues. Item #L2301. $11.50.