M1218

North American Wildlife

Redwinged Blackbird

Collins Cover Announcement 

1987 COLLINS WILFLIFE COLLECTION

After much consideration I have decided to offer a complete, 50 cover COLLINS collection for your consideration. I believe that the positives far outweigh the negatives and that is the basis of my decision to forge ahead. The negatives are the number of stamps being issued (beyond my control) and the cost of each set to you, the collector.

The positives are staggering. First of all, the wildlife species chosen for the set are, for the most part, spectacular. I cannot, and will not, resist taking these magnificent North American animals and from their natural beauty and habitats create the finest (bar none) set of First Day Covers for this issue as well as the finest COLLINS hand-painted cachets yet produced in my entire history. I will not mince words or understate my objective -- I intend each of these covers to top any cachets that I have produced before, and that, My Friend, is the greatest self-challenge in the history of the First Day Cover hobby.

The "entire" or full-envelope cachets will be designed to capture the grandeur and vistas of the varying habitats -mountains, forests, prairies, deserts, rivers and lakes. In each habitat I'll place a wonderfully detailed wild and free creature -- sometimes alone, sometimes with family and sometimes in groups. I assure you, as honestly as I have in the past, that these hand-painted wildlife cachets will top whatever you have in your collection.

It is too early to know exactly what my canceling senario will be, but as of now I plan to use a combination of related unofficials, officials and CAPEX show cancels. For a project of this scope, you can be sure that I'll achieve the very best of First Day cancels to compliment the marvelous full envelope hand-painted cachets.

Other positives that I considered in deciding YES on this set are as follows:

1. It will be an immediate "sell-out" as I'll only be doing

covers for those collectors who order now before the First Day.

2. My wildlife covers have always been among my more sought

after covers, so I know collector interest is high in this area. A YES or NO decision was necessary immediately to give me time to prepare. Given the subjects of these stamps, I felt, based on the COLLINS reputation, that I wanted to give the hobby my "best yet" set of covers.

3. Cost was a consideration, but many factors toned it down to size.

a. As has been my policy, I'll offer an extended payment

plan to make it affordable to everyone.

b. I'll always buy the covers back at full price, so you

can sign up in confidence knowing that you can change your mind at any time or always get your money back.

c. My sold-out covers continue to do very well on the open

market, and this set should be another winner. In Jim McCusker's December 18, 1986 sale, an eight cover 1978 COLLINS CAPEX set went for $1,100.

Finally, I need to know if you'll be wanting a set(s). If so, I'd like you to send a deposit of $11.00 now. The per-cover price for the set will be $8.50. I tried to get it as low as I could considering all of my costs and the long man-hours of extensive hand painting that will be needed for every set. After I receive your $11 deposit, your next payment won't be due until March 30th, and the payment amount will be $11.50 for 36 months. I've no doubt that we are probably looking at another situation where the set will be worth more than you paid for it even before your payments are completed.

I've made my decision to do the set -- now you must make your decision if you want to add it to your holdings. In my opinion, if you're going to acquire these wildlife stamps on cover -COLLINS is the way to go.

1. The track record is there compared to all other cachet-makers,

2. You are protected by my indefinite money-back guarantee.

You risk nothing by signing up for a set(s) I will always buy them back at full cost.

3. They will be an instant COLLINS sell-out. I will only do

for those ordering.

4. Most important -- I intend for these to be the prettiest,

the most detailed, the most desirable wildlife covers you've ever laid your eyes on. And for that you've got my word. Thanks for your consideration.