W1403

Folk Art

Carousel Animals - Horse

Collins Cover Announcement 

CAROUSEL

One of the magic memories of my childhood was "going to the seashore. " Searching for seashells. Being up—ended head over heels by a wave. Having a picnic lunch under the colorful beach umbrella. And, at night, going to the bustling boardwalk. One of the first stops was always the huge merry—go—round housed in its own big building.

The Point Pleasant carousel was a classic. The animals were varied and exciting. Spaced among the familiar prancing horses were kingly lions —stalking tigers, leaping deer,hopping rabbits, menacing goats, running ostriches, and on and on and on. The music was loud and pulsating. Whenever I rode, I raced for the deer which was my favorite. As the carousel went round and round, the riders on the outside could reach out to a dispenser for dark metal rings about the size of a silver dollar. I neatly stored each ring acquired on one of the deer's antlers. As the ride slowed to a stop, you would throw your rings into a bushel basket held by an attendant. It was fun.

During this carousel ritual, one lucky rider would find that he or she had grabbed the shiny brass ring. To that lucky person would go a free ride. It probably happened to me three or four times in all the years of my childhood. And, let me attest, that at the time and in all the trips I have taken down memory lane, those "brass ring" rides were so very special.  merry—go—round at the seashore for a kid, could it get any better?

This four—cover set was created from my recollections and some research on early carousel animals. One goal I quickly decided on was that I would not duplicate the animals shown on the colorful gold—bordered stamps. The Postal Service has depicted the tradi— tional horse, a camel, a goat and a deer. To compliment this quartet, I chose to do a lion, a giraffe, a tiger, and an elephant. You have my assurance that this cachet art in terms of design, hand painting and presentation makes this a set you will treasure in your collection. The gleaming colors are particularly nice, and from my seashore days I can assure you that they are true to history. Each has official bullseye cancel from Sandusky, Ohio.

The Postal Service has promoted this set heavily in their television, magazine, and philatelic center advertisements. It is a very nice topic and a great subject for collectors. I believe that this COLLINS set of four will be actively sought after. You should definitely consider adding one or more sets to your collection now. quick sell—out is probable. The stamps and covers will provide you with an eight animal menagerie of colorful merry—go—round mounts. By ordering now, you can make sure that your next shipment will include the "brass ring" for cover collectors -- the COLLINS carousels . Item #W1402. Set of four - $28.00.