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Wonders of America

Grand Canyon, Largest Canyon

Collins Cover Announcement 

Wonders of America

THE FINEST WILDLIFE SET I'VE EVER PRODUCED

This set of forty stamps was an issue dedicated to American superlatives. The largest animal. The longest river. The highest mountains. The deepest lake, etc., etc. As I pondered the themes I would use for the various cachets, it quickly became apparent that I was looking at an opportunity to create a series of wildlife art First Day Covers that could surpass any I had ever produced. The seed was sown. And.. .1 rolled up my sleeves.

During and after these 2006 First Day Covers were sent to my collectors, the feedback was fantastic. With all due modesty, I must admit that these individually hand watercolored cachets with predominantly wildlife themes turned out much nicer than I had hoped or anticipated. Just look at the enclosed examples and remember that 100% of the color you see is the result of the individual hand painting of each and every Collins cachet. The natural and realistic colors in this set are astounding.

Only a limited number of sets remain available. It's a certainty that this offering will result in their being sold out. So, if you enjoy wildlife art and appreciate the artistic effort and craftsmanship time that goes into each Collins cachet, this set is for you. All orders will be honored on a first-come/firstserved basis. With a shipping and invoicing schedule of one per month, this set is affordable for every collector. The enclosed copies are good, but the actual watercolored cachets are magnificent. You will truly look forward to each shipment as you build your Wonders of America with Collins hand painted cachets. Thanks.

Land of Superlatives

The largest, tallest, fastest, longest and oldest

animals, plants, places and structures

in the finest country in the world.

The Postal Service is to be congratulated for this new dynamic sheet of forty stamps which is absolutely stunning in terms of beauty and subject matter. Each and every one will result in a lovely individually hand painted First Day Cover. From a cachetmaker's perspective, this issue is a dream come true.

From the purple mountain majesties of the Rockies to the scenic tidewater charm of the Chesapeake Bay. From the long covered bridge connecting Vermont and New Hampshire to the towering redwoods of California. From the spectacular coral reefs of Florida to the glowing Kilauea volcano of Hawaii. From the frozen icebergs of Alaska's Bering Glacier to the scorching hot sands of Death Valley. Fast moving water tumbling down Yosemite Falls and spouting up from Steamboat Geyser. And scenic vistas of the water filling our largest Great Lake — Superior.

Special animals will be well represented. The American bison roaming our expansive western plains and the American alligator lurking in our subtropical Everglades. The swift peregrine falcon and the fleet western pronghorn. The tail-slapping American beaver and the rhythmic croaking American bullfrog. Beneath the depths, you will enjoy the enormous white sturgeon and the gigantic blue whale.

Besides the picturesque covered bridge in New England, a couple of other man-made structures add to the diversity of this set. In the West, Colorado's centuries-old pueblo is our largest cliff dwelling. In our heartland, the St. Louis Gateway Arch is our tallest monument. And at the mouth of the river discovered by early explorer Henry Hudson is our longest span bridge.

Watercolored cachets in this set will capture the river gorge of the Grand Canyon and the heights of Hawaii's 3300 foot Maui sea cliffs. The depths of Mammoth cave and the elevations of the Pacific Crest Trail. The silent beauty of deep Crater Lake and the almost heavenly vistas of the misty Blue Ridge Mountains.

It is a sheet of stamps that will delight you as it boldly proclaims the superlatives of our great land. Saguaro — tallest of the cactus. American lotus — largest of our flowers. Bristlecone pine — oldest of the trees. The mighty Mississippi and wide Missouri forming our longest river system. On and on the set brings to our philatelic hobby incredible subjects. The largest desert and natural bridge. The tallest dam and sand dunes. The mountain in Hawaii that is our rainiest spot and the mountain in New Hampshire that is our windiest.

Each cachet will be well thought out, and, as always, I will strive to produce the best set by any cachetmaker. The individual hand painting of each and every cover will give this set an artistic quality and beauty that no mass-produced cachet can match. This especially holds true for a once-in-a-lifetime set like this. I'll be looking to enhance each cachet in different ways. Adding varied species of wildlife. Detailing close-up perspectives that complement long-range views. Providing points of color with flowering plants and spectacular skyscapes. I thrive on the creative challenge that a set of stamps like this presents. As my sets such as "Celebrate the Century" and "Greetings from America" prove, I relish the opportunity that special issues present. The reputation of Collins First Day Covers demands an effort that brings to our mutual hobby a set of individually hand painted cachets that will beautifully portray these incredible Wonders of America.

I invite you to add this wonderful set to your collection. Each month you'll receive a new "wonder" as the watercolored cachets progress toward completion. With First Day Covers, the journey of acquisition can provide as much fun as the ultimate satisfaction of owning a complete set. They will only be produced for those collectors who sign up now, so don't miss out. I'm pleased to announce that orders are now being accepted for my "Wonders of America" set of forty. This will be your one and only chance to sign up. Thanks.