C4202

Motorcycles

1918 Cleveland

Collins Cover Announcement 

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLES

It's exciting to begin this new Collins set of four that has a "look" that is distinctive and different. The first thing that jumps out at you when you look at the illustrations is that the First Day cancellation is a large pictorial postmark that is dynamite. The cancel is in the form of a cycle, and it is the front wheel of the bike that ties the new stamps to the envelopes. And, speaking of the stamps, their large and colorful format is extremely nice. They are well done.

After debating with myself as to how to present these classic American Motorcycles on cover, I decided to take the lead from the uncluttered beauty of the stamps and the awesome full-length side view of the postmark. My hand painted cachets present powerful images of powerful machines. On each I provide a full profile of the respective motorcycle. The 1918 Cleveland. The 1940 Indian. The 1965 Harley Davidson. The circa-1970 Chopper. Simple, detailed, and hand painted to make them quality examples of philatelic artwork. Also on each cover is a bike that shows a complementary view to the full broadside profile. On the Indian, it's looking at the front view. On the Harley, it's a rear view. For the incredible Cleveland, it's a front end close-up. And for the chopper, it's a front view, 45-degree angle that illustrates the signature front wheel/handlebar extenders. These four Collins covers are going to be hot, and I urge you to secure them now. The large stamps, magnificent pictorial cancel, and detailed, hand painted cachet artwork all combine to make these American motorcycles among the most memorable Collins First Day Covers of 2006. Indian (C4201); Cleveland (C4202); Chopper (C4203); and Harley Davidson (C4204) —$13.25 each.

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLES

The three covers on this invoice are the remaining motorcycles in the set of four. Your last statement included the 1940 Indian.

Seventy-five miles to the gallon and speeds up to 40 miles per hour were the main selling points of the 1918 Cleveland. It was affordable and lightweight with a single cylinder 2.5 horsepower motor.

Whitewall tires, lots of chrome, large fenders and fiberglass saddlebags brought a new feel of style and luxury to owners of the 1965 Electra-Glide Harley-Davidson. Among its new features was a pushbutton electric starter.

During the 1970s, Choppers became very popular with motorcyclists. They were customized bikes which got their common name when owners removed or "chopped" unwanted features and added others. The most typical "look" was one that included raised and/or extended handle bars, a stretchedout longer frame, and long forks connecting to the front tire.

These four Collins covers will, in my opinion, become very sought-after collectibles in the hobby: Indian (C4201); Cleveland (C4202); Chopper (C4203); and Harley-Davidson (C4204) — $13.25 each.