G2404

Recreational Sports

Golf

Collins Cover Announcement 

RECREATIONAL SPORTS

"GOLF"

This is a bold and different golf design that will, I predict, become the "one to have" for this issue. More about the particulars of this hand-painted COLLINS cachet in a moment.

Let me briefly discuss this five stamp Recreational Sports issue because this "Golf" FDC is my first to be offered in this series with the other four coming up soon. I believe that they will be potential early sell-outs because millions upon millions of Americans participate in these five sports individually and with family members, neighbors, friends, and co-workers. The sports featured in this set are golf, bowling, softball, volleyball, and tennis. They will be popular items and, once I am sold out, their value will go up on the open market because of their truly dynamic and distinctive cachets and because they are COLLINS FDCs. You will, indeed, be very happy to have this five cover series secure in your collection. It's a clear-cut winner.

Golf is one of the most popular recreational and competitive sports in the world. It is a game of Scottish origin dating back to the 17th Century. It is estimated that twenty-five million Americans play on 14,000 U.S. golf courses. 1895 saw the first U.S. Amateur, the first Open, and the first Women's Championships. The United States Golf Association is this year celebrating the centennial of these Championships making it a nice occasion for this issue.

Last, but certainly not least, let me tell you about my fabulous "entire" hand-painted cachet for this golf stamp. It is viewed from the middle of the green at the hole. Right at the edge of the cup looms the golf ball in close detail. The question for FDC hobbyists is -- has the ball completely stopped ever so close to dropping in or does it still have a little momentum which will see it sink into the inviting hole less than an inch away?

The background on this dramatic scene is superb. The vivid green grass on the smooth green. The golfer, still bent over his putter, watching the progress of his ball as it rolls toward the cup. The trees and shrubs of the course beyond the green. The rolling hills of the horizon vista. The blue sky with puffy white clouds.

Take it from me, golf covers are as sought after as any in the hobby with the exceptions of high values, ducks, and baseball. I knew this when I began considering various cachet design ideas for this issue. Lots of thinking went into it. The result, with the "golf ball and cup" close-up composition, is a COLLINS that is destined to become a highly collectible sports FDC, and I am very, very proud of it. Also, this design idea was the first one for the five cover recreational series and it was the basis for continuing this close-up theme with the remaining four sports.

This one will become a classic. A hole in one. A fifty foot putt. A personal best for the course. A great hand-painted cachet. Golf. Item #G2404. $10.75.

Spring 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 25 G2404 — Golf— Recreational Sports (5-20-95)

I believe this is the first time this cover has appeared in my mail sales. A golfer has putted the ball, and in the hand painted cachet it is on the edge of the cup. The question is — will it stop short or will it drop in? A wonderful sports/golf Collins.