E2701

Love

Swans

Collins Cover Announcement 

SWANS

"The Ugly Duckling"

Many cachet ideas and concepts swirled through my brain for this year's Love stamps. Issued in two different sizes, colors, and denominations (32 and 55 cents), they feature a pair of swans facing each other with their necks and heads forming a heart. This continues the "Heart Theme" used for the Love stamps of preceding years. They are imaginitive designs and well done with excellent use of color. It was fun to contemplate different presentations for my covers, and in the end I decided that the perfect goal would be to produce a two-cachet rendition of a popular children's fable -- "The Ugly Duckling".

As you may recall, in this story a lone baby swan called a cygnet is somehow separated from its family and tags along with a family of ducks thinking he is one himself. He tries to belong but because he looks so different,' the ducklings ridicule, ignore and tease him. The poor baby swan becomes sad and forlorn.

One day, however, as he became older he noticed a handsome and regal swan nearby. How he wished that he could have such splendor. Soon, by chance, he noticed his reflection in the water and, lo and behold, he was indeed growing into a beautiful swan. Soon others of his kind befriended him and he found a mate and raised a brood of young, finding happiness ever-after. My second cachet for the fifty-five cent stamp shows the "ugly duckling" after he had grown into a beautiful adult swan.

With all due modesty, I must tell you that these two covers are among the best I've ever offered. The finished artwork is excellent and each cover is brought to life by the hand painting. You will appreciate the emotional scene where the cute, downy ducklings scorn their "ugly" companion because you know the sad baby will soon emerge as a beautiful swan like the one flying in the background. You will love the gorgeous cachet where the magnificent adult swan now glides through a magical blended scene of colorful sky and water enhanced by vivid flowers, blossoming trees, and a butterfly. The transition is complete.

Although the reputation of my COLLINS Cachets is built on the continuing and consistent quality of my covers, occasionally some rise above my hopes and expectations. These two pieces have achieved this status. I am delighted to offer them for your collection and, as with other recent issues, I expect a fairly early sell-out. True gems. The 32-cent cover is Item number #E2701 at $11.75, and the 52-cent is Item number F2701 at $12.00.