E2901

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Research

Collins Cover Announcement 

Breast Cancer Awareness

First United States Semi-postal Stamp

A "semipostal" is part postage stamp and part fund raiser. This is a historic stamp as it is the very first semipostal ever issued by the United States and, as such, will be an important cover to add to your Collins collection.

The face value of this stamp is the current first-class rate of thirty-two cents. But, the cost at the post office is forty cents. The extra eight cents on every stamp sold goes to breast cancer research. I think the idea is excellent. It is up to each patron whether she or he wants to purchase regularly priced stamps or the slightly higher semipostals. For those so inclined, it provides an easy and modest way to contribute to a good cause.

As for my cover, I tried to make it a little different. The stamp is very brightly colored, and I wanted to carry that over to my cachet. I show active, young women in a composite setting against a wavy-line background. It was designed with a particular watercolor application in mind, and I must tell you that the final result is excellent.

I am pleased to present my hand painted cover for this historic issue. The first ever semipostal for the United States combines a very important cause and a very colorful stamp design. It is a Collins cachet that will forever be actively collected and a quick sell-out is a distinct possibility. It is one that you will definitely want in your collection. Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. Collins Number E2901. $12.50