Z4801

Purple Heart Medal

Awarded to Wounded or Killed Military Personnel in Combat

Collins Cover Announcement 

PURPLE HEART

The individually hand painted cachet for this issue honors those veterans who were killed or wounded during Operation Desert Storm. I really like the way the completed cachets turned out with tanks rumbling across the Iraqi desert toward a sandbagged position. Overhead, planes and helicopters provide close ground support, and explosions can be seen on the far right horizon. This military First Day Cover is a prime example of what makes hand painted watercolored cachets so visually satisfying as compared with mass-produced printed envelopes.

The original Purple Heart was called the Badge of Military Merit and was established by George Washington. As Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, he founded this new military award from his Newburgh, New York headquarters on August 7, 1782. As of April 5, 1917, the name of the award was changed to the Purple Heart, and it is presented on behalf of the President to those wounded or killed while serving in the United States military.

This new design is a Forever stamp, and various veterans' groups have been asking for such a stamp which will always be valid for the first-class letter postage rate. I'm pleased to announce my First Day Cover for the Purple Heart. Collins # Z4801 at $14.00.