H104

Capex Canada Goose

V Flight

Winter 2323 Maile Sale Commentary 

Lot 1 H104— CAPEX Canada Goose — the famous Flying V — 6/10/78

Love of the great outdoors was instilled in me as I grew up amid the fields, streams, and forests of rural northwest New Jersey. The amplified chorus of honking always acted as a magnet to lift one's head, look up, and enjoy the Canada geese formations shaped like "V's" high above. One of nature's delightful spectacles. On June 10, 1978 as I worked in the Toronto Convention Center servicing my CAPEX Wildlife stamps I looked down at my pile of Canada Goose stamps. A clear vision was suddenly my prevailing inspiration. I must create a flying V formation first day cover. Only nine were produced, and the rest is history.

The "V" I donated to the American First Day Cover Society Donation Auction in 1978 brought $34. Pretty hefty in 1978, and it raised a few eyebrows. I gave another in 1979 and it realized an astounding $401. In 1980 the Collins flying V brought $701 and that cover achieved hobby fame. Marjory J. Sente in a M.J.

Philatelic mail bid sale the next year resold one of those three, and it set a record of $1,107. Since then, I have heard from good sources that one has sold for $5,000 and persistent rumors are that one actually reached the $10,000 mark. Quite amazing! The V has seven Canada Goose stamps. The first three are tied to the envelope with the CAPEX first day of issue postmark. The other four stamps at the top and bottom of the V are canceled with the first day of issue small bullseye CAPEX Station postmark. The hand painted cachet is the same as my other Canada Goose covers.

The actual V is the same size as my other covers. Again, unlike the other lots in my mail sales, this one is going to the actual highest offer. 

Only 9 exist.