E4801

Christmas Religious

Angel with Lute - Detail of Freco by Melozzo da Foli

Collins Cover Announcement 

Angel with Lute

From an artistic point of view

When this new stamp was issued, I was talking to a Collins collector who had a most interesting perspective about the design. To paraphrase, he indicated that he was captivated by the artistic beauty of the new stamp, putting aside any religious connotation. He loved the soft colors, the pleasing design, and the overall artistic composition. After we hung up, I went back for a second look and Samuel was absolutely right — it is a marvelous stamp.

Right then I decided to do a second, limited cachet variety in addition to my usual Christmas religious cover. This one concentrates solely on the artistic merits of the cachet to complement the stamp. The watercolors I chose are the same soft tones used in the stamp. Building on the musical title of the new stamp, the design does include a lute along with a trumpet and a tambourine.

This is a cachet with a very pleasing "look." The watercolors are just right and, as a change of pace, the stamp and First Day postmark are at the upper left. It's a nice limited-edition hand painted First Day Cover. Collins #E4801 at $14.00.