C3909

Cloudscapes

Altocumulus Castellanus - Fokker Triplane

Cover Announcement 

When the cloudscapes set of fifteen was first announced, it was exciting news because I knew almost immediately that I would use the issue to create a series of cachets that would illustrate vintage warplanes of the world. Although United States aircraft appear on our stamps from time to time, the cloudscape theme would give me the opportunity to include fighter airplanes from other countries during the years that spanned World Wars I and II. As the photos demonstrate, this superb set of vintage military airplanes will undoubtedly become a highly sought-after collectible based on its own artistic merit and also on the fact that classic fighters of the world are just not found on United States First Day Covers. Until now!

In this set, the Fokker Triplane of Red Baron fame dives through the clouds during World War I. It had superb maneuverability and a rate of climb that stunned opposing pilots. Challenging the German triplane was Great Britain's Sopwith Camel. It shot down more enemy aircraft during World War I than any other Allied fighter. Also from the World War I era will be the quick-climbing French Nieuport, the classic American Jenny, and the powerful French Spad, which beame the fighter of choice for many Allied pilots with over 700 being built.

During World War II, the U.S. Navy's Hellcat accounted for 4497 of the 6477 downings of enemy aircraft by American carrier pilots. Opposing the Hellcat over the Pacific was the long-range and highly effective Zero from Japan. Over 33,000 Messerschmitts were built by Germany, which shot down more Allied planes than any other enemy aircraft. It proved to be a dangerous adversary for the American Mustang and was one of the deadliest fighters of the Second World War. The Supermarine Spitfire of Great Britain had eight guns and excellent speed and maneuverability. It proved to be a worthy opponent for Germany's Messerschmitt and Stuka.

All together, fifteen different vintage warplanes will make up this tremendous First Day Cover set. Each and every cachet will be individually hand painted in realistic watercolors. Also included will be the Warhawk and the Thunderbolt from the United States and the Russian Lavochkin. Present and future Collins collectors will truly appreciate and enjoy this set, which documents the historic evolution of fighter aircraft.. Also, it certainly will become a "must own" for military cover collectors. I'm very pleased to offer this fabulous hand painted set of fifteen cloudscape Collins First Day Covers with the historic vintage warplanes of World Wars I and II.

A Collins Exclusive 

Vintage Airplanes of World Wars I & II

Carefully detailed on Clouciscapes FDCs

Set of 15 — Each individually hand painted

Available at one cover per month

Ever since I started producing First Day Covers in 1978, I have always tried to make my watercolored cachets the very best available. Individual hand painting. Limited numbers. Special postmarks. That somethfrig special that would earn Collins cachets a high reputation within the hobby. Every once in a while I have even exceeded my own expectations, and this is such a case.

Wanting to embellish the cloudscapes issue of 2004 I thought long and hard about how to approach the cachets. Finally it dawned on me that classic aircraft are highly regarded by collectors, but U.S. stamps almost never show planes from other countries. Marrying this idea to much topical interest in military subjects, I decided to do a selection of World War I and World War II vintage warplanes from around the globe — including, of course, the good old United States of America.

Each cachet starts out with an interesting sky cloudscape that corresponds to the affixed new stamp. These are intricate watercolors done by hand on each and every envelope. Then a classic military fighter was chosen for each of the 15 cachets, and that too was individually hand painted on each cover. They are beautiful works of art.

From Great Britain are the Sopvvith Camel and the Spitfire. From Germany the Messerschmitt, the Focke Wulf, and the three-winged Fokker Triplane. From France the Spad and the Nieuport. From Japan the infamous Zero. From Russia the Polikarpov and the Lavochkin. And from the home team, the Hellcat, the Warhawk, the Jenny, the Mustang, and the Thunderbolt. Aviation history soaring through the clouds!

Once this set sells out, it is going to be a very desirable and bard-to-find series of cachets when you consider that ONLY Collins added these classic multi-nation warplanes to the cloudscape set of covers. The enclosed illustrations cannot do justice to the actual hand painted covers that you must experience for yourself.

Taking into account that hobby budgets vary, I am making this series available at one cover per month. If you wish to accelerate delivery to two or more covers monthly, please advise. To start receiving this set, just return this signup form with $13.25 — payable to Fred Collins (N.J. residents $14.18), and I will ship your first cover — Hellcat — immediately. Thanks.