D2601

Tennessee Statehood 

Bicentennial

Collins Cover Announcement 

TENNESSEE STATEHOOD

The Bicentennial of Statehood

My hand-painted cachet captures the pioneer spirit and country heritage of this mountainous state. To the far right Davy Crockett is shown in fringed buckskin and famous coonskin cap. This legendary frontiersman was a Tennessee Congressman from the early days of statehood and he eventually died while helping to defend the Alamo during the War for Texas Independence. Behind him is a mountain cabin which early hardy settlers in the hills and hollows called home, often isolated from the outside world.

Center stage is a singer performing at the Grand Ole Opry. Behind her is a musical instrument of the hills -- the dulcimer. Country music has always played a very important part in the state's culture. To the left is the state bird and flower -- the mockingbird and the iris.

Forming a backdrop for my cachet are the Great Smokey Mountains. I have visited this area several times and I was careful to achieve just the right color combination for the ridges and valleys. In a lower corner of the cachet, a cute raccoon represents the wildlife of the region. Since Nashville's nickname is "The Athens of the South" I also include part of the state capital building which features Greek architecture. Finally, the cachet is completed with just a hint of a breaking dawn sky as a new day begins the third century of Tennessee statehood. Item #D2601. $11.75.