C1305s

Locomotives

Gowan & Marx, 1839

Fred Collins Signature

Collins cover Announcement 

EARLY LOCOMOTIVES

"Stourbridge Lion"

This is the final of the five-cover Early Locomotive set. The "Lion" comes roaring down the track and across a wooden bridge over a small creek. Clumps of autumn foliage dot the landscape on the distant green hills. The engineer is intent on tending to his chugging iron lion. It is a pretty picture under blue skies -- a picture that will only remain in the history of railroad evolution. The stamp has the bullseye First Day cancel from Baltimore, Maryland.

I am very proud of this set. The other four are still available in limited numbers, and I've listed them at the bottom of the page. The "Brother Jonathan" gliding through a winter wonderland. The "Best Friend of Charleston" attracting admirers on a sunny southern afternoon. The "Gowan and Marx" inching into Philadelphia at twilight, and, the "John Bull" cutting through the black of a dark night. And, finally, the Stourbridge Lion roars into the pages of railroad history on a bright autumn day. Item #C1302 - $7.50.

Summer 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 10 C1302 — Stourbridge Lion — Early Locomotive 10-1-87

This hand painted cachet features a very early vintage railroad engine named "The Stourbridge Lion" that has a large, clear bullseye first day of issue postmark from Baltimore, Maryland. The watercolored cachet has a great natural "look" as the powerful locomotive steams through the countryside. This is a great railroad.