J101

Americana Fort McHenry Flag

Winter 2021 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 5 J101 — Fort McHenry Flag

Only 77 of this early cover were produced, so this is your chance to obtain a really scarce Collins for your personal collection. The hand painted cachet is terrific, and the miniature hand painted action scene invites close-up study. The fort is seen withstanding bombardment from British warships, and "bombs are bursting in the air" with Old Glory waving over the whole battle. This action is what inspired Francis Scott Key to write The Star Spangled Banner. A coil pair and a plate-number sheet single have the official first day of issue postmark from Baltimore, Maryland. An additional sheet single has a first day postmark from Washington, D.C. The acquisition of this Fort McHenry first day cover will add a very special and hard-to-find Collins to your collection.