E2605

American Indian Dances

Hoop Dance

Collins Cover Announcement 

INDIAN CEREMONIAL DANCES

HOOP DANCE

Many of my collectors have indicated that they are anxiously awaiting this group of five hand-painted COLLINS First Day Covers. I am extremely pleased with the way they turned out and feel they will be judged "Best of Issue" by any cachetmaker. In a word, they are stunning.

In each, I start with an ornate hand-painted border which acts as a frame for the original artwork cachet design. This border will have a different attractive and distinct pattern for each of the five covers. Then, in each cover, a Native American is depicted in authentic dress actually performing the dance. Finally, I show an artifact that is directly related to the dance ceremony.

My formula for creating these cachets was very successful and they are especially eye-appealing. In this first one of the set, a young brave performs the intricate hoop dance. Also prominent is a large rendition of a drum. Drums were and are the primary source of musical and tempo accompaniments for Native American ceremonial dances. The one I show is a hand-held variety and is highly decorated.

Finally, the stamps themselves were extremely well done. The artist Keith Birdsong, who is of Cherokee and Creek descent, said that his goal was to "maintain the integrity of the dances and represent them as faithfully as possible." I think that he did a great job. The stamps have the First Day cancel from Oklahoma City.

Indians, American West, music, and folk art all are represented in this very striking group of COLLINS cachets. It begins with this cover--the Native American Hoop Dance. Item #E2605. $11.75.

2025 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 22 E2601 to E2605 — Native American Ceremonial Dances (five-cover lot) — 6-7-96

When I originally offered this very attractive and colorful set of five covers, they literally sold out immediately. Many collectors were disappointed to not get them at that time, and even now, these five beauties rarely show up for public sale. Each intricate hand painted cachet shows a Native American dancer performing, and each also depicts Native American objects such as totem pole, beaded moccasins, ornate shield, ceremonial doll, etc. And each cover has a marvelous hand painted border with individual different patterns on each one.

The stamps are also very lovely with the dances being represented — including the Hoop, Butterfly, Fancy, Traditional, and Raven. I wish you could pick up each one of these covers and examine it firsthand. The subject matter is superb with each cachet having the fluid motion of the dance and the artifact having the authentic historic beauty of its time period. The hand painting of each cachet is a stellar work of artistic craftsmanship. Review the five illustrations, and you will truly appreciate that every bit of color is achieved by brush stroke after brush stroke. They are truly first day cover treasures! Produced a quarter of a century ago, they have found their way into established collections and seldom appear on the open market. They are beautiful to behold.