U201

Dolley Madison

First Lady (1809 - 1817)

Collins Cover Announcement 

DOLLEY MADISON

The cachet for this cover is something special. Done in the style of John Paul Jones, an oval portrait of Dolley appears at the upper left. A beaded frame effect adds to the elegance that was Dolley. The main portion of the cachet shows Dolley and James relaxing in the White House -- she sipping a cup of tea and he enjoying a glass of wine. As a backdrop, they are sitting in front of a marble fireplace and mantle. The entire cachet - portrait and scene - is handpainted in watercolors.

In addition to a hand "First Day of Issue" cancel from Washington, D.C., each cover has an additional unofficial First Day cancel from Madison, Virginia. A limited number (200) of covers were taken by messenger to Colonial Williamsburg where they received an unofficial cancel in Colonial format. Since Dolley spent much of her life in Virginia, this Colonial Virginia cancel really "makes" the cover, and due to limited number made is sure to become one of the more desirable COLLINS covers.

Item #U201 - Official First Day of Issue hand cancel from Washington, D.C. Unofficial hand cancel from Madison, Virginia. $4.95

Item #U202 - Official First Day of Issue hand cancel from Washington, D.C. Unofficial Williamsburg, Va. cancel in Colonial format. Limited. $5.95

Autumn 2019 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 9 U202 — Dolley Madison — 5/20/80

This was a small and dainty sized stamp — fitting for Dolley herself. After obtaining the official first day of issue postmark in Washington, D.C. where she served as First Lady, it was off to beautiful Williamsburg, Virginia. There, between Colonial Williamsburg and historic William and Mary College, a second stamp received in Colonial times style and format a large, magnificent Williamsburg day of issue postmark. The hand painted cachet depicts Mrs. Madison having a fireside chat with James and also features a small oval portrait of Dolley. This was a special limited Williamsburg postmark cover variety.