Q1404s

Classic Automobiles

1931 Cord

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

1931 CORD

CLASSIC CARS

When I was a small kid, one of the places my father took me to was Tri-State Rock. It is a rock about the size of a large living room chair and rests on the shoreline of the Delaware River at Port Jervis, New York. It is where three states -New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey all come together. Dad would sit me in the middle of the rock and proclaim "You are now in three states at one time." It was a big deal to a small kid and I remember the spot vividly and fondly although I later found out that the actual connecting spot of the states was in mid-river. Often, after a trip to Tri-State Rock we would head up north of "Port" to an area known as the Hawk's Nest. Up and up we would go with sheer cliffs to our right and the shimmering Delaware way down in the Valley to our left. I remember the stone wall that bounded the road to protect somewhat against the sheer drop.

For the Classic Automobile set of five, I decided that the setting where the car would be placed would greatly enhance the cachet art. For your first Class Car cover, I took the 1931 Cord and placed it in the "Hawk's Nest" -- speeding north on the curving mountain road high above the Delaware River.

Looking back south toward Port, the winding road can be seen hugging the cliff, a low stone wall the only barrier to the distant valley below.

The Cord is a beauty. Shiny chrome. White wall tires. Long and sleek body. Low slung roof. Side-mounted spare. Handsome paint job reflecting brightly in the afternoon sun. Driver and machine enjoying a moment in time roaring ever higher where the hawks still fly.

A single from this booklet sheet of five is canceled on Day of Issue at the Motor City -- Detroit, Michigan. This is sure to be a popular cover and forerunner of a popular set. 1931 Cord. Item #Q1402 - $7.25.

Summer 2025 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 18 Q1404 — 1931 Cord from the Classic Automobiles Stamp Booklet — 8/25/88

A very special memory from my childhood led to the cachet design for this cover. When I was a small kid, one of the places my father took me to was Tri-State Rock. It is a rock about the size of a large living room chair and rests on the shoreline of the Delaware River at Port Jervis, New York. It is where three states — New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey all come together. Dad would sit me in the middle of the rock and proclaim, "You are now in three states at one time." It was a big deal to a small kid, and I remember the spot vividly and fondly (although I later found out that the actual connecting spot of the states was in mid-river). Often, after a trip to Tri-State Rock, we would head up north of Port Jervis to an area known as the Hawk's Nest. Up and up we would go with sheer cliffs to our right and the shimmering Delaware way down in the valley to our left. I remember the stone wall that bordered the road to protect somewhat against the sheer drop, and I decided to use that magical setting for my 1931 Cord first day cover. The Cord itself is a beauty. Shiny chrome. Whitewall tires. Long and sleek body. Low-slung roof. Side-mounted spare. Handsome paintjob reflecting brightly in the afternoon sun. Driver and machine enjoying a moment in time, roaring ever higher where the hawks still fly. This cover was from a booklet containing five different classic cars.