F1601s

Moon Landing

20th Anniversary

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

PRIORITY MAIL

$2.40 High Value Moon Landing Stamp

This is a COLLINS cover that many of my collectors have been waiting for. It is definitely destined to join my past Express Mails, Ducks, Inaugurals, and other High Values as a very sought after cover. Also, it is definitely one of the most distinctive FDCs that I have produced, and I'd like to tell you a little about it.

The stamp itself shows two astronauts planting Old Glory on the surface of the moon. It is an extremely large stamp and the design and coloring are excellent. It is the very first  Priority Mail stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service and first issues are always very desirable. Obviously, this fact also makes it the first COLLINS Priority Mail. Last but not least, the $2.40 value of the stamp makes it a must for your COLLINS collection.

"Gem" is a word I used in my recent Newsletter to describe some of my up-coming covers. The "Homer" Gehrig, the Dinosaurs, and this Priority Mail cachet fit the definition of the FDC Gems. On the eerie, desolate lunar surface, a U.S. astronaut stands beside the American flag and salutes. Nearby is the "LEM" or moon lander. The lunar sky is a midnight black, but off in the distance (240,000 miles) is the brilliant blue-green third planet -- earth. It is a hand-painted cachet of color contrasts. The subdued gray moon dust contrasting with the stirring red, white, and blue of Old Glory. The subdued tones of the upper "LEM" and space suit contrasting with the bright gold foil exterior of the lower "LEM." And most dramatic of all, the black darkness of space contrasted with the magnificent blue/ green marble-like ball -- Mother Earth.

And, finally, a fantastic First Day cancellation. For after picking up the stamps in Washington, D.C. on July 20th, it was on to Landing, N.J. to apply the Landing postmark that would commemorate the day twenty years earlier when man first landed and walked on our moon. The Landing cancellation will bring to your collection another COLLINS cover that marries philatelic excellence with the viewing pleasure of cachet art.

To review, this First Day Cover combines all of the right elements to easily forecast its future popularity. Its subject matter is one of great interest - space. Its stamp is both a high value ($2.40) and the very first of its breed - "Priority Mail". The hand-painted cachet captures the dramatic event in history in the tradition of COLLINS Covers. And the Landing, N.J. unofficial (real) First Day cancellation makes this item a philatelic gem.

My thoughts are two-fold. Don't miss out on putting this one in your collection, and, if your hobby budget permits, consider putting an extra one into your cover holdings. A Space cover that has it all! First-of-a-kind Priority Mail. High Value $2.40 stamp. Superb hand-painted cachet. The great "Landing" First Day cancel. Item #F1601. $13.50.

Winter 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 18 F1601, F1602 — First Moon Landing — (7-20-89)

This lot has much going for it, and I am pleased to offer both of these Collins first day covers. On July 20, 1969, the Apollo Lunar Module "Eagle" piloted by Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon's surface. On July 21st Commander Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the moon. Nineteen minutes later, Aldrin joined him. President John F. Kennedy's stated goal of landing on the moon before decade's end had been accomplished The "01" shows Armstrong saluting the planted American flag. The "Eagle" sits nearby as the earth is visible in the black sky of space. The large, high value $2.40 stamp depicts both astronauts planting the flag. I obtained the perfect day of issue cancel from "Landing," New Jersey, The "02" shows a couple in a high-fm convertible viewing the New York City skyline with a full moon overhead. The new lunar priority mail stamp is tied to the envelope with the first day of issue bullseye postmark from Washington, D.C. I believe that this is the first time these two covers have been offered in one of my sales.