D3201s

Hubble Space Telescope Images

Galaxy NGC 1316

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

Edwin Powell Hubble

This new five-stamp issue is a tenth anniversary tribute to this famous American astronomer and inventor of the Hubble space telescope. The powerful lens capacities and far-reaching technological enhancements built into the large telescope have enabled astronomers and scientists to peer into the depths of the universe never before studied. The Stamps depict color images of expanding nebulas observed through the Hubble.

Taking into consideration the large number of new stamps issued by the Postal Service in 2000, I decided to do three covers for this set rather than five, but all of the new space stamps are represented. A hand painted portrait of Edwin Hubble and a rendition of his telescope provide the cachet subjects for D3201. This cover is franked by the stamp entitled "Galaxy NGC." The remaining two covers each feature two of the new nebula stamps. The "Eagle" and "Ring" are used on D3202, and the "Lagoon" and "Egg" are the ones on D3203.

Since a nebula is a cloud of interstellar gas and dust with numerous visual possibilities, I decided to create imaginative artistic renditions that attribute a more colorful and defined presence than the vivid images on the stamps. The resulting two hand painted cachets are truly beautiful portrayals of gas/dust cloud formations that only the subtle use of watercolors could achieve. To recognize the countless photographs taken via the Hubble, I've chosen the main focus areas within each of the two cachets and encased the swirling, colorful deep space clouds within a frame.

These covers combine the hard reality of Hubble exploration (the stamps) with the artistic fantasy of nebula composition (the cachets) to provide a three-cover mini-set that will truly enhance your collection. Edwin Powell Hubble and his space telescope. D3201 - Galaxy - $12.25. D3202 - Eagle and Ring - $12.75. D3203 - Lagoon and Egg - $12.75.Edwin Powell