D701

Treaty of Paris

U. S. Became an Independent Nation.

Collins Cover Announcement 

TREATY OF PARIS

This cover is definitely one of the finest ever produced by COLLINS. Order it, look at it and decide for yourself as to how you would rate it. My established collectors know that I try to tell it "like it is" but for my newer customers I want to stress that you will be doing the right thing by taking advantage of this opportunity now.

What makes it so desirable? The large hand painted cachet covers about 2/3 of the envelope. It is a map cachet showing America as it was at the time of the Treaty in 1783. It shows each state (colony) as it was all the way from the Atlantic in the east to the unknown western frontier beyond the mighty Mississippi River. From the Northwest Territory and the Great Lakes in the north to the Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Territory in the south. All of this early American map is beautifully hand painted. But...there is more. The three American signers of the Treaty were Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay. All three of these distinguished patriots have their portraits shown as part of the cachet and each is colored in careful, realistic detail. Detail? If that's what you like, add to this creation the following Revolutionary symbols--each painted with the patience necessary to make this a great cover. A Colonial soldier with musket. A sailing ship. The Liberty Bell. A period parchment. And...the finishing touches. The red, white and blue of Old Glory to the upper left and a red banner proclaiming "The Treaty of Paris - 1783" along the top.

What about the remaining 1/3 portion of the envelope? This cover had to have some special cancels and I set out to do just that. Picking up the stamps in First Day City Washington, D.C., two were affixed to each cover. In short order, it was off to National Airport and on my flight I continued to lick and stick. The task was completed as we landed in Nashville. Quickly, it was a dash to a rented car and on to my first unofficial cancel location--Franklin, Tennessee. Since Ben Franklin was the most prominent and famous of the American signers, I wanted his name to be a prominent part of this FDC. As the afternoon marched on, it was now a race against time to my second unofficial choice --Paris, Tennessee. Certainly, as is self-evident, the actual name of the Treaty makes a wonderful First Day cancel. I made it shortly before closing time (the doors were locked as the servicing was being done) and by 5:15 p.m. I was on my way with the long drive back to Nashville Airport. You might find it interesting to trace my route in a road atlas. The quality of both cancels is very good with clear and crisp lettering. Also, I might add that the stamps for this issue are extra large and of nice design so they too add a lot to the over-all appearance.

"Must be seen" is a worn and well used phrase, but I think it applies in this case. My personal satisfaction with this completed cover is of the highest degree, and I believe that your satisfaction with adding it to your collection will be equally as high. And...a final word for my newer collectors. ..if you look at it and decide you don't want it, just ship it back for an immediate refund...but for Pete's sake, take a look at it With this beautiful and expansive hand-painted Bicentennial cachet complimented by the two directly related unofficial hand cancels, this is one item that you shouldn't pass up. Item #D701 - $7.25