R201

Black Heritage

Benjamin Banneker - Astronomer and Mathematician

Collins Cover Announcement 

BENJAMIN BANNEKER

The hand-painted cachet shows Banneker taking a survey sighting while giving a hand signal to another member of the survey team. He is shown in a grassy clearing against a solid blue sky. In the upper left, an oval portrait (similar to the John Paul Jones design) depicts a young Banneker. A parchment-like scroll bearing his name completes the cachet. The watercolors used complement the stamp exceptionally well, and the result is a beautiful FDC that is very pleasing to the eye.

A single stamp is hand canceled "First Day of Issue" in the official city, Annapolis. After servicing, the covers were driven to Ellicott City. Here, a large, clear unofficial First Day hand cancel was applied to another single. This is a very related cancel. George Ellicott furthered Banneker's education by lending- him books and scientific instruments. In 1791 Major Andrew Ellicott, George's cousin, was appointed to survey the nation's new capital and Banneker served as his scientific assistant. The influence of the Ellicotts on Banneker's life make this duo hand canceled cover a very fine addition to any FDC collection.

Item #R201 - $4.95

Winter 2026 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 4 R201 — Benjamin Banneker — 2/15/80

Benjamin Banneker was an African American who was born free in 1731. He was a self-educated genius and also received some education at a Quaker school. In middle age he met George Ellicott who lent him scientific instruments and books that he studied constantly. In 1791 Andrew Ellicott, George's cousin, was appointed to survey the site of the nation's new capital. The major asked George to be his scientific assistant, but he was too busy to accept and recommended Banneker who accepted and for a short time held this position. His main accomplishments were the publishing of several almanacs and his work as an astronomer using mathematical calculations and scientific instruments.

The hand-painted cachet shows Banneker taking a survey sighting while giving a hand signal to another member of the survey team. He is shown in a grassy clearing against a solid blue sky. In the upper left, an oval portrait depicts a young Banneker, and a parchment-like scroll bearing his name completes the cachet. The cover is hand canceled "First Day of Issue" in Annapolis, Maryland, and then the covers were driven to Ellicott City, Maryland for a very related unofficial cancel. This is a truly early Collins cover and is appearing for the first time in one of my mail sales.