I5202s

Building A Nation

Derrick Man on Empire State Building Photograph by Lewis Hine

Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

Made in America

Building a Nation

As is often the case, the more I researched this set of twelve stamps that capture the spirit of America, the more I realized that these Collins First Day Covers were destined to become an important part of the history of my cachets. They celebrate the countless incredible contributions that individual workers have made to the building and growth of the truly exceptional nation that is America. Almost all of us have ancestors who helped forge the United States with their various trades and jobs, and it is their combined contributions of hands, minds, and hearts that have made us great and the envy of the world. When the May 19, 2014 issue of LINN'S Stamp News arrived, I was gratified to see that the large, front page heading proclaimed that the "Made in America" stamps topped their reader's poll as "the overall favorite stamp(s) of 2013." They beat out the Jenny Invert, the World War II Medal of Honor, and the Civil War stamps which took second, third, and fourth place respectively.

From a personal standpoint, I can easily and proudly relate to this issue as, I am sure, most of you can. Early on, my great, great, great-grandfather Silas was a blacksmith near Albany, New York. Greatgrandfather George D- ad Decker from my book pages) toiled in a fuse works. Grandmother Ethel (Eppie) helped manufacture batteries on the home front for World War II. Dad was a factory worker prior to the war, and Mom was employed by a button manufacturer during it. They and others in my family joined millions of Americans over the years to build a nation. As Helen Keller wrote in 1908, "The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker." 

My approach to these individually hand painted cachets is simple and direct. I have chosen to depict American workers that complement those shown on the stamps. The coal miner sitting on a wheel barrow taking a break with a pick in hand. A textile worker sitting at her loom weaving the fabric of a nation. The men who laid and maintained the rails that crisscrossed the country and those who assembled the steel beams that grew our bustling cities. The drillers who probed the earth for black liquid gold and the garment industry workers who silently and anonymously clothed our citizens. This set of First Day Covers honors and pays tribute to all who built our nation.

Personally. these covers turned out to be very inspirational. Just as my epic Lewis and Clark set was a profound educational experience for me as to the fascinating journey of the Corps of Discovery, this set was a jolt of reinforcement to my vague awareness that this country was built by its workers. Built with sweat and muscle and untiring determination. Built by individual citizens with amazing work ethics who, in the words of Helen Keller, were "honest workers."

My individually hand painted cachets show the stalwart men and women who built this country. As you add the covers to your Collins collection, please consider them a notch above the others they join. Not solely because of their appearance but because of what they represent. They were Made in America. And, forever, most importantly they represent all of those hearty American souls who spent their working lives Building a Nation.