R4802

Civil War Sesquicentennial

First Battle of Bull Run

Collins Cover Announcement 

The Civil War

First Battle of Bull Run

A super large battle scene stamp was issued to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War's First Battle of Bull Run. It is tied to the envelope by a First Day of Issue bullseye postmark from Charleston, South Carolina. This individually hand painted Collins First Day Cover will absolutely be an important piece for any present or future military, Civil War, Americana, or Collins cover collection.

The scene on my cachet depicts the grassy north side of Henry House Hill. During the battle, Confederate soldiers under General Thomas J. Jackson had taken up positions on the hill. The Brooklyn 14th under the overall command of Union General Irvin McDowell pushed the Confederates off the hill many times during the battle, but the Southerners would then rally and regain their advantage. At one point during the battle, a Confederate general pointed to his fellow officer and shouted "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. " In that instant, one of the most famous nicknames in military history was coined.

On this cover I show the American and Confederate flags as I did on the Fort Sumter cachet. Field artillery pieces are depicted, and behind the line of cannons is the Henry House at the top of the hill. It was named for Dr. Isaac Henry, and on July 21, 1861 his bed-ridden widow, Judith Carter Henry, was in the house during the battle. A cannon ball crashed through the bedroom wall, and she died from multiple injuries. Today the house and hill are preserved as part of the Manassas National Battlefield Park. My Civil War covers may be quick sellouts. Now ready is Henry House Hill at the First Battle of Bull Run. Collins #R4802 at $14.00.

Spring 2025 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 25 R4801 to R4804 — The Civil War — (set of four covers) — 4-12-11

These wonderful covers sold out very quickly when they were issued. The lot includes the Battle of Fort Sumpter and the First Battle of Bull Run. It also includes two major military generals, one from each side. The over-sized stamps released for this issue are detailed and dynamic, and the individual hand painting contributes to the overall appearance of this special mini-set.

A brief look at each of the covers starts with Fort Sumter, and the hand-painted cachet shows a Union cannon at a gun portal inside the fort. As the battle rages, a lot of golds, reds, yellows, and oranges bring to glowing life the inside of the brick interior. At the bottom of the cachet, I symbolically illustrate the Union's stars and stripes and the Confederacy's stars and bars.

The scene for the First Battle of Bull Run depicts the grassy north side of Henry House Hill. I show the American and Confederate flags as I did on the Fort Sumter cachet, and field artillery pieces are depicted. Behind the line of cannons is the Henry House at the top of the hill, and it has been preserved as part of the Manassas National Battlefield Park.

General Ulysses S. Grant was promoted to commanding general by President Abraham Lincoln and was put in charge of all Union armies. General Robert E. Lee, the top commander of the Confederacy, was originally asked by President Lincoln to take command of the entire Union Army, but Lee declined as he felt his loyalty bound him to his home state of Virginia. In the end, Lee surrendered to Grant and afterwards became president of Washington and Lee University.