91-45

New Mexico 1991

Pintails by Robert Steiner

Fred's Anecdotal Note

1991 NEW MEXICO

This MTLFORD has a fantastic story of its creation. The stamp is the "First of State" issue for New Mexico. Since the State Wildlife Department was not geared up for a stamp program, it was decided to let the San Francisco company that printed the stamp handle the first year's sales and promotion. Thus, on the first day of sale the stamps were purchased by me in California and flown to Albuquerque for a First Day cancel. This cover is a superb philatelic gem because no other First Day Covers exist for this "First of State" issue, and incredibly, the stamps used by me were the only ones in New Mexico on their day of issue.

In the hand-painted cachet, a pair of pintails watch over their nest of olive-colored eggs. Serial numbers used were 26691 to 27000.