X2301

Florida Statehood

150th Anniversary

Collins Cover Announcement 

FLORIDA STATEHOOD

This hand-painted COLLINS is an "entire" where the artwork image area extends right to the very edges of the cover. A large bull alligator dominates this wildlife nature cachet. The ferocious looking teeth. The piercing eyes. The claws extending from the powerful feet. The massive body with the long whip-like tail arched to the top of the cover. This COLLINS gator is my answer to a brightly colored stamp that I honestly feel could have used some improvement in the artistic department. I'm happy to report that the stamp did provide the incentive for me to design this Florida cachet.

Watercolors provide a fine method for bringing this cover to life. The big gator is alertly poised in the foreground and dominates the scene. It's an Everglade type setting with marshy grass and still water. A pair of pink flamingos browse nearby but will cautiously keep their distance. A hint of red wildflowers here and there adds additional splashes of color to the scene. I believe that this cachet will contend for "Best of Issue".

This stamp was issued to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Florida Statehood which was achieved on March 3, 1845. It was explorer Ponce de Leon who named the large peninsula "Pascua Florida" or "Season of Flowers". This COLLINS FDC for the Sunshine State will become a hobby favorite as future collectors seek the one with the "big gator". Florida Statehood. Item #X2301. $10.75.