N4301

Definative Flag

John Paul Jones

Collins Cover Announcement 

American Flag

41¢ - Denominated

For collectors who enjoy cachets with a historical theme or those who relish patriotic First day Covers, this individually hand painted John Paul Jones is a beauty. A wonderful portrait of the Revolutionary War naval officer is the main component of the watercolored cachet. Jones, in full dress uniform, appears in the foreground, while the naval battle between the British warship H.M.S. Serapis battles the United States vessel Bon Homme Richard. Early in the engagement, the Richard received a devastating broadside of cannon fire, and the commanding officer of the Serapis, Captain Richard Pearson, called on the American ship to surrender. It was then that John Paul Jones made his famous and immortal response, "I have not yet begun to fight. " The battle raged on and sharp shooting American Marines and Seamen eventually forced the Serapis to surrender, and a great victory was achieved by Jones and the fledgling American Navy.

There is a personal connection that I would like to relate just for the record. John Paul was born in Scotland in 1747. He went to sea at 13 and received his first command at 21. After several years he emmigrated to North America and settled in Maryland. He became friends with an American family and, in fact, lived with them. A member of that family moved to Florida in the late 1800s, and Linda and I have been lifelong best friends with a descendent of that family and his wife.

The name of the family is "Jones" and it was during his stay with them that John Paul adopted that name and added it to his own. The painting on this one is truly superb, and I'm pleased to offer it for your collection. Denominated 410 U.S. Flag with John Paul Jones cachet. Collins #N4301 —$13.25.