L2302

American Music

Robert Johnson, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Rushing & Muddy Waters

Collins Cover Announcement 

BLUES AND JAZZ

Four Stamps on One Cover

This is the male companion COLLINS cachet for the previously announced female "Jazz and Blues Greats" First Day Cover. As with the women's, I think this cover truly captures the flavor and flair of the topic. It should be noted that I have used two covers to present these eight stamps rather than eight individual covers. If the Postal Service insists on issuing so many stamps, I as a cachetmaker will need to make rational decisions to keep the total number of yearly covers at a more or less consistent number. For the soon-to-be-announced COLLINS "Kids Care" issue, for example, you will experience a wonderful cachet for the block of four on one cover. I hope you will apprecite my efforts to give you a complete stamp program effort while at the same time maintaining a consistent number of annual covers. For many issues I'll continue to do individual cachets, and I think you'll enjoy the balance that I will offer. Let me know if you like this approach to my cachetmaking.

Of all the covers produced for this issue, I honestly believe that my COLLINS FDCs will receive long-term hobby recognition for the format I used for stamps, cancel, and cachet. Most notably, the four male stamps are placed side by side across the top of the envelope. The "fit" is just right. In order are Robert Johnson, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Rushing, and Muddy Waters. The pictorial First Day cancellation is from the American Music Stamp Festival in Greenville, Mississippi. My hand-painted cachet, which builds on the color tones of the stamps, is positioned in a horizontal design on the lower two-thirds of the envelope. This is one I'm proud to present.

Robert Johnson was one of the most expressive of all Blues singers. His short career (he was murdered at age 27 after recording only 29 songs) helped to launch the Mississippi Blues style. His portrait is part of my cachet. Jimmy Rushing performed with many famous entertainers such as Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Walter Page. He was a great jazz singer. Chester Arthur Burnett changed his name to "Howlin' Wolf" to reflect his style of guttural Blues singing. Wolf brought the Delta Blues from the Deep South to Chicago, London and the world. His recordings helped to lay the foundation for the coming Age of Rock and Roll. McKinley Morganfield was born in Mississippi in 1915 and was destined to become the "King of the Postwar Blues" under his stage name--Muddy Waters. His work in transforming traditional Delta Blues into Electric Blues became the creative catalyst for the 1960's rock bands. He toured Great Britain in the late fifties. His portrait, with electric guitar, is part of my hand-painted cachet.

This cover (and the female companion cover COLLINS #L2301 which is still available at $11.50) have grown on me and I am happy that they are now and forever part of our hobby. Great Male Jazz and Blues Singers. Item #L2302. $11.50.