Z901s

Great Americans

Sylvanus Thayer "the Father of West Point"

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

SYLVANUS THAYER

9-Cent Famous American

For this issue I decided on a very detailed entire cachet -- an early rendition of Boston Harbor for which Thayer designed the defences. Sailing ships of various sizes and descriptions cruise through the serene waters. In addition to the sailing vessels, skiffs and rowboats go about their business in the busy harbor. At the wharf, dock workers load cargo on to waiting ships. In the distance, church steeples jut upward from the cluster of city buildings. A most unusual (and very time consuming) hand-painted "entire" cachet.

The stamps were issued in Braintree, Massachusetts and, of course, I opted for Boston as my Unofficial First Day cancel. A strip of three Thayer stamps is tied to the cover with a very nice large Boston bullseye.

With the detailed full-envelope hand-painted cachet and the fine related Boston First Day cancel, this FDC has to be in contention for the "Best of Issue" and I hope you'll add it to your COLLINS collection. Item #Z901 - $7.75.