K2801

Alpine Skiing

Downhill Skiing, Slalom, Giant Slalom, Super Giant Slalom

Collins Cover Announcement 

Alpine Skiing

The large and dramatic postmark gives this Collins instant philatelic appeal. It's from Salt Lake City, site of the 2002 Olympic Games, and it salutes Nagano, Japan where the Winter Games were held this year. A tip of the hat and sincere thanks to Utah Collins collector, Jim Jones, for having the Salt Lake Post Office service these for me

It is an interesting cancel for several reasons. The main type is done in "open" lettering, but it has an unusual slant in the lines. Also, the date of issue and location (Winter Sports Station) are presented in very small type, which contrasts with the large and bold type naming the two cities. Finally, there is an in-motion, downhill blur of an actual skier who, as part of the postmark, "ties" the new stamp to the envelope with his skis. A nice touch.

As for the hand-painted cachet, I decided that this year I would go the route of recreational skiing. It's a sport enjoyed by millions of people and continues to grow in popularity. For the past few Winter Olympic issues, I portrayed the athletes in my cachets. This year I decided to show average people having fun.

Bright colors bring this cover to life. The sky is a brilliant blue with highlights reflected in the slope's snow. The paths of multiple ski runs can be seen on a distant mountain. Vivid clothing for each of the enthusiastic skiers lends to the overall sense of physical enjoyment that my cachet scene captures.

A wonderful First Day postmark and a sunny day on the slopes. Alpine Skiing. Item #K2801 $12.25