Y4301

Yoda

Star Wars Character

Cover Announcement

Important: This cover is NOT part of the ongoing Star Wars set.

When the Postal Service issued the extremely popular Star Wars set in May of 2007, they decided to hold an interesting contest. They asked postal patrons and collectors to vote for their favorite Star Wars character with the promise that they would issue a separate first class stamp for the winner. With over half a million votes cast, Yoda was selected as the favorite stamp with 10,000 more votes than the runner-up Darth Vader.

The new stamp, issued in October, is different and distinct in several ways from the Yoda stamp in the set. The new stamp is in the semi-jumbo size format as opposed to the vertical design in the set. The new stamp also has Yoda's name and the first class rate printed on it and the original does not. Also the new stamp has a gray border round the image area, and the set Yoda has no border. So the two stamps are very different, and you'll definitely enjoy having the contest winner in your collection.

Not only are the two stamps different, but my individually hand painted covers are also. My set Yoda has the stamp affixed in the upper left corner while the one being offered now is in the upper right corner. And, most importantly, the former was cancelled on May 25, 2007 as were all the stamps in the Star Wars set while this new Yoda variety was postmarked on its October 25, 2007 day of issue.

The new cachet is a beauty. The wise Jedi Master Yoda is surrounded by his Jedi knights who carried on the fight against the Evil Empire. The watercolors bring the cachet to a beautiflrl finish, and this First Day Cover is sure to become a key and sought-after collectible in our hobby. Don't miss out on this very special Star Wars cover - a quick sell-out is probable. May The Force be with you. Collins #Y4301 - Yoda - Jedi Master at $13.25.