E2501

Garden Flowers

Dahlia

Collins Cover Announcement 

FALL FLOWERS

DAHLIA

This is a flower that comes in many shapes, sizes and colors and you can be sure I took advantage of all of the above in this hand-painted cachet. The gardener, dressed in pink, enters the beds of flowers under a vine-covered trestle and through a white picket fence. She carries an empty basket and a pair of shears to cut fresh flowers for the household to enjoy.

The main focus of this "entire" cachet, however, is the beautiful dahlia. You will find large ones and small ones. Tall and short. Bright colors and pastels. The whole envelope is filled with these garden beauties.

Dahlias were first discovered in the mountains of Mexico in the 16th Century by a Spanish expedition. They were introduced to Europe in the late 1700's and further cultivated by the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl, for whom the flower is named.

Many different types of dahlias have been developed with single, double and multiple rows of rays. Also developed are those with flower heads that vary from small, tight pompons to broad curling rays. Flowers of every shade except blue have been produced by hybridizing.

Encinitas, California is where the First Day postmark is from. Step through the white picket gate into the dahlia patch. Item #E2501. $10.75.