
Collins FDC Catalog
Please send comments to Collinsfdcat@AOLcom

R802
R802 / Scott 2097
Reberto Clemente
Pirates Baseball Player
Collins Cover Announcement
ROBERTO CLEMENTE
(COLLINS Variety Number Two)
This is the second and final COLLINS cachet variety for the Clemente issue. R801 (Pittsburgh/Autograph) sold out in a flash and I expect this one to go just as fast.
The format is one I decided on as soon as I heard there was to be a Roberto Clemente stamp. I had enjoyed working with the Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth issues and knew that I would seize the opportunity to combine the three on a COLLINS First Day Cover.
Since each was a representative of the three main groups playing Major League Baseball - White,Black and Hispanic - I knew that this relationship would be my theme. Using the cover in a vertical format, it provided me with the "top to bottom" room I needed for my cachet. A baseball bat takes up two-thirds of the cover length, and it is being held aloft by three well developed muscular arms. Brown, black and white. There are no uniforms. There are no background scenes. There are no distractions of any kind. The athletic arms, together grasping the common bat, say it all. Brotherhood through sports.
Across the bottom of the cover, the three stamps fit beautifully together like three multi-colored peas in a pod. Jackie starting his slide to home plate; the Babe watching his home run leave the ballpark; and, Roberto gazing intently from the red, white and blue flag of his native Island. All three stamps are tied with the Official "First Day of Issue" cancel from Carolina, Puerto Rico.
And, of course, this cover demanded a special unofficial cancel. While I was flying to Pittsburgh with the R801's, a friend was taking these covers to Cooperstown, New York. Here, in the peaceful village home of Baseball's Hall of Fame, an additional Clemente stamp was unofficially canceled. It is indeed a very unique and special FDC.
As always I will be glad to accept multiple orders but reserve the right to refund or credit if necessary. A couple of collectors continue to get upset at this policy, but they fail to see the forest because of the trees. True, there is bound to be disappointment if you receive one instead of two or two instead of three, etc. But...an instant sell-out demonstrates the continuing appeal and demand for COLLINS FDCs which, in turn, makes the cover(s) you receive that much more of a coveted collector's item. At any rate, this COLLINS will move quickly, so do get your order in to me if you desire this distinctive Baseball/Sport FDC. Item #R802 - $8.50