O5803

Post Office Murals

Rockville, MD

Sugarloaf Mountain by Judson Smith

Cover Announcement 

Considering the great cachet subjects in this group, it is one of my all-time favorite mini-sets. The cachet art includes Wildlife, Native Americans, Early Airmail, Southwest Desert at Twilight, and an American Bald Eagle on the summit of a mountain called Sugarloaf. The individually hand painted covers are really dynamic and will be among the finest in your collection.

The fifth and final cover in this mini-set features the majestic American Bald Eagle. In this case, its scenic

perch is on the summit of historic Sugarloaf Mountain, subject of the new Postal Mural stamp. This mountain was visited and named in 1712 by Baron Christoph von Grafflenried. Along with his French-Canadian guide and several Indians, he camped atop the mountain and wrote in his log that the name was bestowed because "...it has the form of a loaf of sugar." The baron further recorded "From the Mountain we viewed an exceedingly broad extent of country..." Now, over three hundred years later, the vigilant

eagle views the same country side.

As my collectors know, Americana is a mainstay of Collins cachets. The very talented and gifted artists of post office murals across the country about 85 years ago captured Americana at its best on these wall paintings. This set offers a hand painted cachet presentation based on these works of art from almost a century ago.

Recently, my Transcontinental Railroad Locomotive covers sold out very quickly. This Americana set of Postal Mural stamps will also, I think, be gone soon. They are, indeed, beautiful. Thanks.