J4402

Flag

Flag at Midday

Coast Guard

Collins Cover Announcement

United States Flag

A Day in America

Noon/Adulthood — Military Service/Coast Guard

As I tried to lay out previously in my announcement for the first cover in this set of four (morning/ youth; scouting), this series is one I've tied to symbolism. The four stamps depict our flag in the morning, at mid-day, in the afternoon, and in the evening. Each of the stamps with their day of issue postmarks will progress-across-the top of the envelope-from-left-to right on the set of four (symbolic of the sun passing through the sky each day).

Building on this theme, in the first cachet, I depicted youth (a Girl Scout and Boy Scout) as a symbol of morning. Now, as the flag is shown at mid-day, I show adulthood as represented by two members of the United States Coast Guard. I chose this branch of the military services because it is often overlooked. The individual hand painting really has transformed the artwork in a very colorful cachet. A Coast Guard patrol boat and distant lighthouse add nice detail.

You will enjoy having this set of four in your collection. Next time the flag on the stamp will be depicted in the afternoon and my symbolic citizen representatives from middle-age will be a volunteer fireman and a community EMS technician. At this time I'm pleased to offer the next one in this "A Day in America" series — two proud members of the Coast Guard with the flag flying at noon. Collins J4402 — $13.25.