O201

Performing Arts

W.C. Fields - Comedian, Actor

Collins Cover Announcement 

W.C. FIELDS

Immaculate brick fronted shops with tasteful awnings and draperies line both sides of Santa Monica Boulevard. Numerous window boxes filled with colorful flowers and many potted shrubs add to the exclusive atmosphere that is Beverly Hills.

At the Post Office, sales of the new stamp were brisk with a continuous long line. While I was working on the covers, I talked briefly with JoAnn Dickerson, "Topical Combination FDCs" columnist in First Days, and I also was interviewed by an NBC-TV News crew. Finishing at Beverly Hills, I was on my way to Hollywood for the second cancel. While there, JoAnn came in to get some unofficials, and we had a good conversation about...what else, FDCs. Soon I was on my way to the L.A. Airport for the return trip home. Just off from the lobby at the TWA terminal, large, lighted photographs hang on a wall. Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Valentino, Laurel & Hardy, Errol Flynn, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Jimmy Cagney, Betty Grabel, Jack Benny, Gary Cooper, Jimmy Stewart, Marilyn Monroe, Katherine Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Liz Taylor, and the Duke - John Wayne. "W.C." wasn't among them, but sitting there and reflecting on the careers of these great stars, I knew that Hollywood had been the right choice for the second cancel. W.C. Fields -- motion picture pioneer.

The hand painted cachet shows W.C. and Mae West as they appeared in the early classic "My Little Chickadee". Hand canceled "First Day of Issue" in Beverly Hills and also canceled in Hollywood on additional single.

Item #O201   $ 5.25

Autumn 2019 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 8 0201 — W. C. Fields — 1/29/80

One of my "early" FDCs, this one is a fine example of Collins cachets during the beginning years. Shown in the hand painted cachet are W. C. Fields and Mae West from a scene in the movie My Little Chickacdee. Forming the vertical borders are strips of motion picture film. I traveled to Beverly Hills, California on day of issue to pick up the stamps and secure a first day postmark on a single. While there I met JoAnn Dickerson, a columnist for First Days and was interviewed by NBC-TV News. Then I took the covers to Hollywood and got an excellent magenta first day cancel. As I was finishing, in popped JoAnn to get a few Hollywood cancels for her collection. A review of my trip appears on page 204 of the book