Y1101

Michigan Statehood

Sesquicent Anniversary

Collins Cover Announcement 

MICHIGAN STATEHOOD

When a vast wilderness stretched westward across the North American continent, adventurous Frenchmen picked up their paddles and pushed off in their canoes. The fur trappers were motivated by profit, and the missionaries were motivated by religious fervor. The North country waterways -- chains of lakes and rivers -- were the by-ways on which the missionaries, trappers and traders paddled their way into history.

The hand-painted cachet is stunning. A quiet Michigan lake is bathed in a brilliant glow as the sun sets behind the forested skyline. Across the surface, a large canoe makes toward a distant shore. Sturdy French voyageurs strain at the paddles as a missionary stands in the bow intent on the scene ahead. For on the shore, an Indian village serenely awaits the arrival of the mysterious travelers. This hand-painted cachet is one for cover lovers -- a north country sunset, a quiet lake, a canoe of French explorers approaching an Indian encampment.

What about the stamp? In considering various First Day cancel possibilities, I discovered a perfect city for this cover. Portage means "the carrying of boats overland from one body of water to another". As the early explorers would paddle and portage their way through the wilderness, I am pleased to offer you this COLLINS with a great First Day of Issue postmark from Portage, Michigan.

This cover is a personal favorite, and I highly recommend it for your collection. Item #Y1101 - $7.50

Spring 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 15 Y1101 — Michigan Statehood (1-25-87)

This hand painted cachet features a canoe with explorers paddling toward a Native American village. In the Great Lakes region of our country, early missionaries, explorers, and fur trappers traveled almost exclusively by canoe. When they had to carry it from one body of water to another, the term used was "portage." After picking up the new stamps in Lansing, I took the covers to the perfect place for their first day of issue postmark — Portage, Michigan. The cancel is magenta, and it is a Collins exclusive. You will love the "sweep" effect of the water and the sky.