J1001

Fr. Junipero Serra

California Missionary

Collins Cover Announcement 

JUNIPERO SERRA - 44-CENT AIRMAIL

This First Day Cover is a gem, and I hope you will acquire one -- you will enjoy it immensely because, simply put, it is lovely.

The unofficial pictorial is outstanding. It is large and shows an early mission, and it directly refers to Juniper° Serra. This pictorial is from the San Diego, California Philatelic Center, and you will love it. Thanks to California collector Bill Ahrens for bringing it to my attention.

The cachet was designed to "wrap around" the cancel, and all I can say is "mission accomplished". (Pun intended.) The cancel is to the lower right. To the left foreground is a profusion of flowers and, looking beyond the blooms, a mission is nestled into a hillside. The stonework. The tiled roofs, The Spanish architecture. And then, a sweeping vista to the Pacific Ocean and a beautiful twilight sky . This "entire" cachet is a knockout, and the pictorial unofficial mission cancel can only be called perfect.

I suspect that now and in the future this will be a most coveted and desired COLLINS FDC. If you want one for your collection please order now to avoid disappointment in case of an early sell-out. You will be happy to own this cover Item #J1001 $8.00

Winter 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 14 J1001 — Father Junipero Serra — (8-22-85)

This is one of the loveliest first day covers that you will ever see as it has everything going for it. The postmark itself is a super unusually large oval with equally unusual thin killer bars. The pictorial portion portrays the historic California Mission in Old Town, San Diego. For the cachet itself I've chosen pastels that present a flowering hillside featuring Father Serra's mission overlooking a Pacific sunset. Spend a few moments looking at this 1985 cover. One word sums it up. Beautiful. Back in 2004, I saw one sell for $76. I think this one is waiting to get "discovered."