A3301

California Statehood

150th Anniversary

Sea Lions Cachet

Collins Cover Announcement 

Californis Statehood

This attractive new stamp commemorates one hundred fifty years of California statehood. Admission to the Union was September 9, 1850, and the year appears on the stamp. The design is taken from a photograph showing the southern end of California's Big Sur coastline. Ocean waves crash onto rocks below the cliffs and iceplant flowers bloom in the foreground_ As California residents know, the iceplant is actually a weed that is overwhelming native wildflowers and its appearance on a stamp was somewhat controversial. Virtually everyone agreed, however, that the photo is a wonderful view of the rugged natural beauty of the Pacific coast.

As this cachet project was begun, it was my goal to build on the coastal theme presented on the stamp. Many years ago when I traveled to the Golden State to do the John Steinbeck issue, one of the many memories I returned east with was of sea lions frolicking in the rocky surf The scene I chose for my individually hand painted cachet was the Pacific Ocean at sunset as viewed from East Aracapa which is part of Channel Islands National Park.

In the foreground, California sea lions catch the lingering rays of the setting sun. A big, handsome bull is surrounded by a trio of admiring females. The distinctive branches of a Monterey cypress add to the eloquent beauty of the scene. In the background, an arm of picturesque cliffs juts out into the sea, and a distant lighthouse stands as a solitary sentinel. Watercolors bring this lovely painting to life, and you will truly enjoy having it as part of your First Day Cover collection. California Statehood — Collins #A3301. $12.25.