X1101s

Transportation

Tow Truck 1920s

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

1920'S TOW TRUCK

(Transportation Series - 8.5 cents)

The technical aspect of putting this cover together was "something else" -- I'll try to explain it, but I hope you purchase one and see for yourself. This is a most unusual First Day Cover.

Let me set the scene. Farm country in the twenties. Rural America in winter. Snow grips the landscape. In the valley below a farm is picturesque -- yellow frame house with curling smoke, red barns, trees and fences. All hand painted. But, up on the road a slight mishap. A Star Route truck has become stuck in a snowbank. A tow-truck is ready to pull out the stranded vehicle. To a cover collector's delight, the tow truck is the actual First Day Stamp incorporated as part of the cachet (with a First Day bullseye cancel). The stranded Star Route truck is actually cut out from a previously issued Transportation stamp and is used as part of the cachet. You must see this cover to appreciate -- different, different, different.

Further enhancing the cover I've added another pair of the 8.5 stamps and a single of the imprinted "non-profit organization" stamp. (Not many FDCs will have this stamp) and all three have the official "First Day of Issue" cancel tying them to the cover.

This is a super cover -- again one that has to be seen to be appreciated. Along with Indian cover, it's sure to become a hobby classic. Item #X1101. $8.00

Summer 2026 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 1 5 X1101 — 1920s Tow Truck from the Transportation series — 2/24/87

This cover has been described by Fred as follows. "This is one of the most unique covers I have ever produced. The hand-painted cachet on this Collins cover from the Transportation Series is unusual to say the least!!! I'll try to explain it, but it is truly one that you must see for yourself. It is rural American in the Twenties, and snow grips the countryside. In the valley below, a yellow frame farmhouse and red barns present a picturesque scene. Up on the road, a truck has become stuck in snowbank, and a tow truck is pulling it out. The unique twist that J put in this cachet is that the tow truck is actually the new stamp worked into the scene. And the other truck that is stuck in the snow is a cutout of the previously issued Star-Route Truck. A few months before this cover, I was the first one to use a "cutout" portion of a new stamp in the cachet design. (My Cigar Store Indian - #S1103.) This is the second time that this procedure was used. As such, it is part of First Day Cover history. Different, different, different — and must be seen!"