X1401

Express Mail

Eagle in Flight

Collins Cover Announcement 

EXPRESS MAIL 

$8.75 High Value

October 4, 1988

Based on the perfect "sold-out status" history of all COLLINS high value First Day Covers that I've ever produced, this cover should be considered a "must" for your collection. Every high value cover that I've ever done has sold out immediately (or almost immediately) and every one has climbed to incredible value on the open market. This is a beautiful hand-painted FDC and will be a wonderful addition to view in your collection as well as a sure-fire bet to increase substantially in value. The recent high values I've done ($1 Revel, $2 Bryan, $5 Harte, 1987 and previous Federal Duck Stamps) were whisked into collections across the country and are no longer available from me. If you still need them now -- good luck.

My first and only Express Mail ($9.35) was produced in 1983. Fortunate collectors obtained it quickly because soon it was gone. It now has a listed 1988 catalog value of $175, and I'm sure that you will see a continued upward trend. Most of you reading this will obviously order at least one of these key COLLINS covers for your collection, so the intent of the above is not to overly "push" or "promote" this Express Mail Cover. I know that the demand will be high and that they will sell out quickly without any need for special promotion. The reason that I relate the above is that invariably there are collectors who don't order in time and are then terribly disappointed when they learn a cover is sold out and they've missed the boat. Then, if they want to catch the boat later on the open market, they are dismayed that the fare has gone up substantially. So..... fair warning to each collector is that this high value Express Mail Cover (my first in over five years) will sell out quickly and, if you want one or more, please order now. Don't miss the boat. 

The hand-painted cachet is one that will delight you. It will be a stand-out design compared to others done by various cachetmakers. It combines the "American spirit", the history of flight, the evolution of U.S. mail service, and the theme of Express Mail. Go back in time seventy years. Picture yourself standing on the edge of a grassy field on a crisp morning. Before you, history is being made. A vintage automobile pulls onto the field and stops near the waiting aircraft. Army officers wait by the plane. Postal employees exit the auto and unload parcels of mail. The Army transfers them to the aircraft, and on this day the very first "airmail" flight will take place. Truly, the dawn of a new era of Express Mail. It is this full-cover scene, captured dramatically in watercolors, that provides the cachet for this high value COLLINS. A single has the official Terre Haute First Day cancel.

I am happy to accept multiple orders. If I can't supply extras due to demand, I will credit or refund overage. (This happened quite a bit on recent high values, and some collectors were disappointed at not getting extras. I appreciate the disappointment, but collectors, in fact, should be happy for three   reasons. (1) They secured very desirable covers at original cost; (2) My policy is that the covers be spread across the collector community as much as possible; and (3) Taking their COLLINS collection as a whole into consideration, they should be happy that there is such an interest in my covers.) Time required for hand painting on each of these covers is extensive, so please allow ample time for delivery.

In conclusion, let me stress the following points. The hand painted cachet "First Airmail Flight" will become a hobby classic. It is good! Aside from the annual $10 Duck Stamp, high values are few and far between. When they are issued, collectors always have and always will place a high premium on them. Based on my ten year history, it is reasonable to assume that within a few years this cover will be one of the most valued in your collection. And, it is a fact that this cover will sell out very quickly. It is too late to obtain from me the $1 Revel, the $2 Bryan or the $5 Harte. Now is the time for the 1988 $8.75 Express Mail First Day Cover. Don't miss the boat! Item # X1401. $23.00

Spring 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 19 X1401 — $8.75 Express Mail — Early Postal Bi-plane (10-4-88)

Sometimes a cover has a certain "look" about it that just catches your eye, and that is the case here. An early bi-plane sits on the airfield where it is being loaded with sacks of mail. In the early days, Army pilots flew the postal routes and soldiers are awaiting take-off time. Please check the photo on this one — a fine aviation FDC with a large bullseye first day cancel.