Q801

Smokey Bear

Wildfire Prevention Campaign

Collins Cover Announcement 

Woodland Wildlife 

This cachet holds the COLLINS record for the longest amount of time required for individual hand painting. It is an "entire" and utilizes the entire face of the cover as woodland animals gather together amongst the multi-colored wildflowers and forest greenery of ferns and bushes. And what a gathering it is.

An owl with wings spread is flying in to join other birds already perched on overhead branches -- blue jay, robin and crimson cardinal. Also up in the trees, a family of opossums hangs curiously upside down, suspended in space as their tails hold them to a limb. Nearby two raccoons are shown in playful poses as they frolic in the trees. Standing on a hollow log, a groundhog sniffs the air. This woodchuck has interrupted his snack on a tender shoot to survey the goings-on. At the other end of the log, mama and papa cottontail and their two little bunnies sit with ears erect and noses twitching. Behind the rabbits, a white-tail deer keeps an attentive eye on her two speckle-backed fawns.

The center of attraction is one of America's most loved woodland symbols -- Smokey the Bear. A furry black skunk with up-raised white-striped tail gazes up at the imposing Smokey who is dressed in the familiar brimmed ranger hat and his deep blue overalls. Counting Smokey, there are nineteen forest animals shown in this cachet amid the branches, bushes, ferns and flowers. Nineteen. And each is individually hand painted:

The stamp is tied to the cover by an official bullseye cancel. It is placed to the lower right so as to complement rather than compete with the cachet. This COLLINS is in the "award-winning" class and I recommend that you consider adding it to your collection. You'll enjoy owning it. Item #O801 - $9.00