O1302s

Transportation

Conestoga Wagon

Fred Collins Signature

Collins Cover Announcement 

CONESTOGA WAGON - 1800'S

(Transportation Series)

The covered wagon was a major means of transportation moving pioneers and settlers to new lands in the American West. Wagon trains traversed the harsh trails -- including the famous Oregon and Santa Fe. Hardy souls, brave souls left family and friends for the promise of a new beginning.

I considered several design concepts, and a major factor was the 3-cent denomination of the stamp. To bring it up to the 22-cent rate, I would have to either use eight of the new stamps or use other stamps in combination to reach the required rate. After working with various lay-out designs, I decided to use both concepts as they each offered exciting possibilities.

On one cover, I used two strips of stamps -- numbering five and three respectively. The strip of five stretches across the top and to the left on weathered, wooden planks is the title -"Conestoga Wagon - 1800's . Below that the hand-painted cachet spans the entire cover. It is a map cachet showing the trail network that the pioneers traveled...the national road through the present day states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. From Independence and St. Joseph the wagon trains formed up and headed toward the setting sun. The Mormon, Oregon and Sante Fe Trails. The California and Gila Trails. The Cimarron Crossing. Across the prairies, plains, mountains and rivers they traveled. Each area of the cachet map is hand painted in individual colors. Also shown is a wagon and a six-mule team below which is an additional strip of three stamps. All of the stamps are officially canceled at Conestoga, Pennsylvania. A very colorful, historic and attractive COLLINS cover. Item No. O1301 -- $7.50.

For the second cover, I decided to use several of the very nice U.S. stamps that have included Conestoga and covered wagons in their designs. My final selection were six beauties as follows:

The 3-cent Utah Centennial (Scott #950) The 5-cent Swedish Pioneers (Scott #958) The 3-cent Oregon Territory (Scott #964) The 3-cent California Statehood (Scott #997) The 3-cent Gadsden Purchase (Scott #1028) The 3-cent Kansas Territory (Scott #1061)

Along with these six colorful and historical stamps, I also used a strip of three of the new stamp in combination. With nine stamps, this is certainly a fine philatelic item. Using the remaining room for the hand-painted cachet, I decided on a campfire scene where the untold numbers of pioneers would spend their evenings after the day's journey. Strumming a guitar. Spinning a tale. Enjoying the companionship.

Gathered together against the forces of nature and man.

Pushing into the unknown in search of a better life. The evening campfire -- a brief, warm interlude between the weary yesterdays and the grueling tomorrows.

For the cancel, I chose a great Unofficial - Wyoming, Pennsylvania. The state of Wyoming is in the heart of the West, so I thought the related connection was very good. The quality of the cancel was not good -- with effort it can be made out as each cover required three strikes to tie all of the stamps to the cover. Within the three individual cancels, the name Wyoming and the date can be made out. It may not be "pretty", but it is real -- actually done on Day of Issue -- a real First Day. With the six older stamps from the 40's and the hand-painted cachet -- a most colorful cover. Item #O1302 -- $8.75.

Both of these covers I would recommend highly -- part of the ever popular Transportation Series, and the Conestoga wagon is a vintage piece of Americana. These two COLLINS covers will enhance any collection.