F301

Philip Mazzei

Patriot & Political Writer

Collins Cover Announcement 

PHILIP MAZZEI

40 Airmail

Italian-American patriot Philip Mazzei was an adviser to numerous prominent Americans during the Revolutionary War - especially fellow Virginian Thomas Jefferson. His writings and diplomacy helped to form favorable opinions toward the American "rebels" both in the colonies and abroad.

Two excellent unofficials were obtained for this issue. The first is the Washington, D.C. pictorial cancel showing the Liberty Bell and proclaiming the slogan "Let Freedom Ring". This beautiful cancel is most appropriate in honor of this patriot.

The second unofficial is from Morristown, N.J. which played a very important role in the American Revolution serving as headquarters for General Washington. Currently, Morristown is the home of the Fairleigh Dickinson University Salvatori Center for Mazzei Studies which contains about 3,000 copies of Mazzei documents. Sister Margherita Marchione put forth much effort in getting Mazzei honored a U.S. stamp, and she currently serves as Director of the Center. I believe that only "COLLINS" covers have the Morristown cancel.

The handpainted cachet shows Mazzei and two associates conferring and preparing documents. It is a very colorful cachet and will be an attractive addition to your collection.

Item #P301 - Washington, D.C. "First Day of Issue" hand cancel on single. Washington, D.C. Liberty Bell pictorial hand  cancel on additional single. $4.95

Item #F302 - Washington, D.C. "First Day of Issue" hand cancel on single. Morristown, N.J. hand cancel on additional single. Limited. $5.95

Summer 2023 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 10 F301 — Philip Mazzei — 10-13-80

In 1980, Sister Margherita Marchione from Fairleigh Dickinson University's Morristown Center for Mazzei Studies wrote to me regarding this upcoming stamp. Philip Maz7ei was an Italian/American Revolution era patriot who helped to finance the war effort. Sister Margherita sent me research material, which I used. A plate single of this airmail stamp has a Washington, D.C. cancel, and another single has a large pictorial Liberty Bell postmark from Washington D.C. This "Let Freedom Ring" cancel ties both stamps to the cover. A really nice early Collins.