O1501

Washington Statehood

Centennial

Collins Cover Announcement 

WASHINGTON STATEHOOD

This stamp commemorated the Centennial of the State of Washington. To a large degree, the territory was first explored by fur trappers who paved the way for the pioneers and settlers that were to follow. The hand-painted cachet shows a trapper beside a swift river. He has hoisted his pack upon his back and with rifle in hand is about to trek into the forest. His canoe is loaded to capacity with supplies, hinting strongly that he has just returned from the trading post having sold his pelts. This is a handsome cachet -- warm forest and earth tones give it a sense of realism and appeal. The scene from America's past is "framed" by lashed saplings of the sort that the trapper would use to construct his lean-to shelter.

To enhance this cover, outside of the framed area I have shown a beaver hat that adorned the heads of all fashionable late 1800's gentlemen and a beaver trap that was the key implement responsible for the conquering of the vast American wilderness and was the predecessor of the rancher's branding iron and the farmer's plow.

A single of the colorful stamp showing a canoeist with the Cascade Mountains in the background, has an Olympia, Washington bullseye cancel.

This is another of the Statehood covers that have become so popular -- a nice collectible. Item #O1501 - $7.50.