N4801

Definative

Oregano - Italy

Collins Cover Announcement 

Herbs

Foxglove and Oregano

When these new issues were first announced as part of the 2011 stamp program, I must say that I looked forward to the challenge of producing top quality cachets (as I always do), but in all candor, I have to admit that my enthusiasm for them was not at the highest level. As I did my research, however, and developed my "Old World" theme, I began to get more excited as the format of the cachets developed.

The set will have a true international flavor with England, Italy, France, Ireland, and, of course, America being represented. The huge, ornate lettering that begins the name of each herb on my covers is the largest I've ever used and most likely is the largest I ever will. The bold, attention-grabbing letters will initially be the visual magnet that draws the collector's attention, but then perhaps the most pleasing element will become apparent — which is my choice of watercolor shades that will complement the lovely pastels in the stamps themselves. I must tell you that the realistic and delicate hand painting of each and every cachet is made even more compelling by the contrasting dark, bold lettering and the large, fancy capitals. I was wrong not to be enthusiastic at first about these stamps because the end result is a new group of Collins First Day Covers that is outstanding. I have no doubt they will be judged the finest produced by any cachetmaker.

An English fox peers out from behind the ornate "F" on my foxglove cachet. This herb is one of the loveliest and most important medicinal plants but also is extremely dangerous. If the leaf is chewed and swallowed, it can cause sudden heart failure and death. The same leaves, however, when dried and powdered act as a cardiac stimulant and today help to keep millions of patients alive. This use was discovered in 1775 by English physician William Withering and the foxglove paper he wrote in 1785 is a classic of medical literature.

The oregano cachet shows a delicate and colorful sprig of the aromatic herb behind the large, fancy "O". In rural Italy a farm boy is taking his freshly harvested crop to market using the family donkey. This excellent herb has many uses including being added to meatloaf, vegetables and rice. To all who enjoy Italian food, dried oregano is often added to pizza and spaghetti.

As you can tell by the above, in my opinion these cachets have combined elements that make them superb. The largest letters ever appearing on Collins cachets instantly make them notable collectibles and when you add the Old World connection to England, Italy, France, and Ireland, they become something special. Add hand painting that complements the lovely stamps and you have a foxglove cachet that is "stimulating" and an oregano First Day Cover that is very "tastefully" done. Experience them firsthand, and you'll understand my enthusiasm. Now available are Oregano (Collins #N4801) and Foxglove (Collins #N4803) at $14.00 each.