B1101

Great Americans

William Jennings Bryan Orator and Politician

Collins Cover Announcement 

WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN

(Two Dollar High Value) Famous American Series

IMPORTANT NOTE: Before sending for this cover, please read my write-up as it contains a COLLINS first in my cachet designing that you should understand before ordering. I do not want anyone to be offended.

In the famous Scopes "monkey" trial, William Jennings Bryan was the opponent of Charles Darwin. Their case was the theory of evolution versus the theory of creation. Since it is an important part of our country's history. I decided to depict this controversial issue in my cachet. In doing so, I chose to use a two-part hand-painted cachet (in fact, two cachets) one showing a "cave" couple (evolution) in a hostile environment and another showing a "traditional" couple (creation) in a tropical garden environment. I've tried to present both theories around which the trial swirled My cover makes no statement as to which theory one should subscribe. It merely presents in artistic form the two sides of the famous court case in which Bryan was one of the principals.

Now, speaking of artistic form -- my word of caution as per my beginning note. As I became involved in my cachet concept, it became evident that upper nudity would enhance the reality of my presentation. It is low key of the "National Geographic" or "public television" variety, but I did want to mention it up front just in case anyone might choose to pass up this cover for this reason. I personally think the hand-painted cachet is well executed and presents the dynamic and emotional controversy in a powerful way. In fact, the potential controversy aspect of this COLLINS cover (along with its high value status) will probably make it a very desirable collectible, and I would forecast that it has the potential to become one of the most famous and actively collected covers in the hobby<

The evolution cachet puts you inside a cave looking out. In the entrance the man tends the marvel of his existence -- Fire! A woman drags an antelope toward their shelter. A realistic portrayal of Charles Darwin's position.

The creation cachet puts you outside a tropical garden looking in. The woman sits among the abundant plants and orchids. The man stands by her side, and behind them a cascading blue waterfall plummets over moss covered rocks. A realistic portrayal of William Jennings Bryan's position.

You might enjoy noting how the cover uses the upward and horizontal sweep of the cave roof and of the tree branch to "lock" the two designs together while at the same time using the two cachet technique to "lock" them apart.

And, finally, we come to the cancel I chose to make this cover a classic of the future. It is just an unbelievable cancel for this FDC, and it ties the $2 Bryan stamp to the envelope. It must be one of the "all time best" related unofficial (real) First Day cancels. This COLLINS cover is canceled at Cave In Rock, Illinois. To me, Cave in Rock is a perfect cancel for this unusual and beautiful First Day cover.

So there it is -- another COLLINS with the potential to soar in the hobby. Consider: a high value stamp ($2); a double (two) hand painted cachet; the Famous American Series and religious topical connections; a fabulous unofficial (real) First Day cancel of Cave In Rock; and the first use of artistic nudity in COLLINS cachets. Item #B1101 - $11.00