H2501

Christmas

Santa Entering Chimney,  Child With Jumping Jack, Child Holding Tree & Santa Working on Sled

Collins Cover Announcement 

CHRISTMAS - 1995

A block of the four different Christmas stamps is affixed to this COLLINS First Day Cover. The First Day of Issue postmark is from North Pole, New York. The stamps feature two with Santa Claus designs and two with children and toy designs. Building on the stamp and cancel themes, I quickly decided on a Santa's workshop cachet. It turned out great and I know you'll enjoy having it in your collection.

Santa is dressed in his traditional red but note that the familiar heavy coat is not in sight but instead he has rolled-up sleeves and is busy making toys. A hammer in hand and open paint cans by his feet attest to his handicraft. I constantly try to enhance my cachets in ways that are not always apparent but when combined make for a better "look". Here are three composition and artistic examples that you can find on this Christmas FDC. First, note how I "wrap" the cachet around the stamps and postmark--thus using the entire face of the cover. Second, the background color behind the text and shelves is coordinated with the background color of the stamps. This is possible by individually hand painting each cover. Third, by giving Santa red suspenders it adds to the informal but busy atmosphere of his workshop.

Look at the individual covers in your COLLINS collection often. With each viewing look for something you missed before. First Day pioneer Earl Planty called this subsequent viewing "cover appreciation". Join Santa Claus in his North Pole work shop. Item #H2501. $12.50.

Summer 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 20 H2501 — Christmas 1995 9-30-95

This hand painted cover has a block of all four of the 1995 Christmas stamps. A first day of issue slogan postmark from North Pole, New York ties the block to the PIP/elf-1)e. Th, hand painted cachet shows Santa in his workshop, and the holiday detail is extensive. Santa, hammer in hand, takes a break surrounded by finished toys. A holly sprig appears at the top of the envelope. I think this is the first time I've had this cover in one of my sales. It is a very nice Christmas first day cover of Santa's workshop.