Black Heritage

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Civil Rights Leader

Spring 2019 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 3 T101 — Martin Luther King

I believe that this FDC is the best one produced for the issue. It is a historic stamp as it does represent a transitional time in our history as a nation. The hand painted cachet shows Rev. King in front of the Lincoln Memorial. After obtaining the stamps and postmark in Atlanta, Georgia, I traveled to Birmingham, Alabama for a first day cancel in the city of confrontations that shaped history. This was one of those early trips when I knew in my heart that Collins First Day Covers were going to be something special. A fine collectible. 

Winter 2026 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 2 T101 — Martin Luther King — "Assassination Variety" — 1/13/79

This is a very unusual first day cover. I refer to it on page 202 of my book as follows: "Because some of the upper cancels from Atlanta were applied too low, a few of the second King stamps had to be turned horizontally to fit on the envelope. Someone once asked me if I did this to symbolize the assassination. I did not, but it is an interesting interpretation." While in Atlanta for the first postmark, I quickly corrected the clerk who was canceling too low. As a result, only a handful of these "assassination" covers exist. If you're interested in a Collins cover that is out of the ordinary, this is certainly it!

This cover represents a transitional time in our history as a nation. The hand painted cachet shows Reverend King in front of the Lincoln Memorial. After obtaining the stamps and postmark in Atlanta, Georgia, I traveled to Birmingham, Alabama for a first day cancel.