X3002

Aquarium Fish

Reef Fish

Collins Cover Announcement 

AQUARIUM FISH

EMERALD FILEFISH

This awesome tropical fish is one you \yin want to secure for your collection. Its main color is a shimmery turquoise accented by a body-length pattern of tangerine and lemon-colored spots. It really is a great subject for a hand painted cachet. As a perfect contrast, it is shown swimming past formations of beautiful and delicate coral, brought to live by vibrant watercolors. It's another treasure of nature among countless such wonders found in the oceans of the world.

Two of the new fish stamps are used on this FDC. One has the official bullseye cancel from Anaheim, California. The second has a great magenta postmark from the Bayview Station in San Francisco. My friend Jim Jones traveled there on the issue date to secure this terrific cancellation. This cover has the same cachet, stamp, and cancel configuration as the recently offered raccoon butterflyfish and completes the two-cover set. Both of these colorful Collins FDCs will be actively sought on the open market once I'm sold out, so you'll be very happy to include them in your collection at this time.

The watercolor artwork on these Aquarium Fish cachets is splendid and truly vivid to the eye. The two California First Day postmarks on each make them philatelic gems. I am proud to present the final cover of this dynamic pair - the emerald filefish. Item #X3002 - $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!