Z5401

Federal Duck

Ruddy Ducks

Collins Cover Announcement

First year of the new $25.00 face value stamp 

The Annual Col lins "Duck"

PLEASE ORDER PROMPTLY

2015 Federal Migratory Bird Stamp 

Ruddy Duck

With the price of the Federal Duck stamp rising to 825.00 this year, it will mean fewer cachetmakers will do first day covers because of the cost. This is a good thing for Collins collectors because duck FDCs within the hobby will become scarcer — thus more desirable. From a pragmatic standpoint, I would have preferred that the price of the stamp remain at fifteen dollars, but now it is an even more substantial high value first day cover, so we should just embrace the new collectability status that duck covers will have.

The "ruddy duck" was the subject of my very first migratory bird first day cover back in 1981 . I haven't done any since then, so when this year's duck was announced. I was very happy. It is very distinctive in appearance, and I decided to do a pair for my individually hand painted cachet.

The habitat of the ruddy duck is marshy lakes and ponds. They nest in dense vegetation near water to hide from predators. A typical brood is 5 to 15 ducklings. In winter they migrate to coastal bays and unfrozen lakes. Their diet consists of the seeds and roots of water plants plus aquatic insects and crustaceans.

The 2015 Collins Duck will again have the large. pictorial first day of issue postmark that is especially created just for this issue. My individually water colored waterfowl covers have won far more prestigious Planty Awards than any other cachetmalcer, including first place plaques for the past several years.

Only those ordering now will receive this cover.

As my long-term collectors know, this once-a-year offering is eagerly awaited. 11/1 Federal Migratory Bird Stamp ("Duck") cover is available only to those collectors preordering at this time from this announcement. There will he no "second chance" or subsequent announcements. It's what I term an "immediate sell-out" because they will be produced only for those ordering them now. They are never available on my future price lists. Each year, without fail, several collectors are disappointed because they missed out by ordering too late. Not only will this gem with the new $25 face value stamp become a future treasure of the hobby, but because it can't be ordered after this opportunity. it will immediatel become an open-market prize. Be sure to return your order form in a timely manner to secure your cover. Thank you.