X3001

Aquarium Fish

Reef Fish

Collins Cover Announcement 

AQUARIUM FISH

RACCOON BUTTERFLYFISH

This is a very exciting First Day Cover as it combines a stunning hand painted cachet with two colorful new stamps that each have separate and distinctive Day of Issue cancellations. It's one you won't want to miss, and an early sell out is a definite possibility.

A special trip to San Francisco, with its world-famous bay, resulted in a beautiful magenta hand cancellation. Just the San Francisco First Day postmark would have been wonderful, but the cover was serviced at the Bayview Station, which makes it even more "related" to the fish theme of the stamps. The second stamp has the official First Day bullseye cancel from Anaheim to complete the duo California First Day of Issue postmarks. A great philatelic collectible.

The hand painted cachet is one that beautifully complements the two stamps and postmarks. The magnificent raccoon butterflyfish with its rich and dynamic colors is featured. Only by hand painting each cachet in vivid watercolors could such a realistic rendition be achieved. Aquatic plants with broad leaves flutter in the water on one side of the cachet, and two small blue devil fish swim nearby on the opposite side.

This is a nicely balanced First Day Cover with the two colorful stamps and their separate First Day postmarks. I'm especially pleased that this Collins First Day Cover received one of its postmarks on the shore of San Francisco Bay which provides an added philatelic significance. The blue devils and aquatic plants in the lower comers add to the visual balance. Most importantly, the bold and beautiful raccoon butterflyfish with black facial mask and distinctive colorful markings will make this Aquarium Fish First Day Cover a most desirable Collins. 

Item #X3001 - $12.75.

Winter 2023 Mail Sale 

Lot 17 X3001 and X3002 — Aquarium Fish — 6/24/99

The stunning raccoon fish (X3001) grow to about eight inches in length and have an oval outline. Red stripes are prominent on the side and back. A black band over the face and eyes is similar to the raccoon, hence the name. Its aquarium life is 5 to 7 years. Filefish (X3002) are found in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The snout is tapered and projects out from the head. Length is usually less than 24 inches.

These covers have both the official first day of issue bullseye cancels from Anaheim, California and lovely magenta first day postmarks from the Bayview Postal Station in San Francisco which are Collins exclusives. The exquisite individually hand painted cachets bring these distinctive fish to life. These two covers are making their first appearance in one of my mail sales. Superb postmarks and tremendous maritime cachets. Lovely!