Z2501

Marathon

Long-Distance Foot Race

Collins Cover Announcement 

MARATHON

A Very Special COLLINS FDC 

The marathon is a long distance race created expressly for the modern Olympic Games which began in 1896. It is based on an ancient Greek legend of the messenger who ran the entire distance from Marathon to Athens to announce a victory in battle and who then collapsed of exhaustion and died. The distance of the race is a staggering 26 miles.

Achieving its objective of becoming the ultimate test of endurance for runners, the marathon has spread to events all over the world. The oldest United States race is held each year in Boston and that was the site chosen for the release of the new stamp. But...New York City is the location of the world's most famous annual marathon so that was my focus as I endeavored to make this COLLINS Cover the "best of issue" by any cachetmaker.

My first step was to drive up to Boston with my son Tim the day before the stamps were issued. (Enroute I stopped at a suburban post office to see one of my subscribers who works there. Chris was very surprised and we had a nice chat.) Early on issue date we picked up the new stamps at the Main Boston Post Office. With Tim at the wheel and me "licking and sticking" we headed west on our "own marathon". Late afternoon found us at the small New York village of Marathon. It was there that we obtained the First Day postmarks and they are a COLLINS philatelic exclusive. They are large and beautiful--and only on my First Day Covers.

For my handpainted cachet I chose to do a New York City composite with famous landmarks. A runner crosses the finish line at the New York marathon. Surrounding him are the Statue of Liberty, the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building. There is even a statue of the first governor, Peter Stuyvesant, with a pigeon perched on his hat. Finally, above the skyscrapers, a "Big Apple" is prominently placed to signify the city's famous nickname.

This is one of my best covers of the year and I am proud to announce it for your collection. The "entire" New York City Marathon cachet and the exclusive Marathon, New York First Day cancel obtained only for COLLINS collectors. Just as was Greek farmer Spiridon Louys who ran to victory in the first Marathon Olympic Race in the 1896 Games, this FDC is a winner. Item #Z2501. $11.75.