J1501

Montana Statehood

Centennial

Collins Cover Announcement

MONTANA STATEHOOD

This was quite a trip for me which resulted in both a beautiful western FOC and a visit by me to an old friend. I had a little extra time, so Ed and I were able to get away to the Little Bighorn Battlefield where General Custer met his end. There is a nice museum on the site which is definitely worth visiting.

There are many relics and artifacts from co e battle, photographs, letters and diaries, and a topographical map which recounts the battle and one can relate to the actual terrain. It was a cold, blustery winter day and visitors were scarce, but there were about a dozen cadets from the Air Force Academy who stopped in. As we drove home in Ed's truck we saw several groups of antelope on the range-land. At journey's end was a good home-cooked meal by Anne Marie followed by another journey -- this one via a photograph album of New Jersey memories. Enough reminiscing and on to the cover.

When I got to the Helena Post Office early on the morning of the 15th, I was shocked to see the length of the line. It was huge! And mostly local Montana citizens who had heard of the new stamp via an area media campaign. Although I dislike lines as much as anyone, it was heartwarming to see so many people interested in a new stamp issue. That shows pride in one's state and heritage. After getting the stamps it was down to the basics -- licking and sticking. The cover boasts two stamps and many of you like it that way -- one with the official bullseye and one with a dandy unofficial that was designed just for this one special day. It is a pictorial that says "Montana Centennial - 1889-1989." It was only available at the Centennial Station which was established for the Day of Issue only at the State Capitol building and you had to be there to get it. It is for cancels like this that I incur the great expenses of traveling to First Day cities. A COLLINS collection will always be one with consistently high quality FDCs.

Topping off this philatelic gem is the hand-painted cachet. A lariat or lasso forms the border surrounding a super rodeo scene. A courageous rider is taking all that a bucking Brahma bull can dish out. The dangerous hooves and deadly horns have always made bull riding the most feared of rodeo events. Cowboy spectators can be seen around the fenced arena and up in the grandstand. Red, white and blue flags wave in the Montana breeze. Outside of the rope border, a pair of fancy boots conclude the western theme of my hand-painted cachet.

This is a nice cover. Two stamps with the official bullseye and pictorial "Centennial" postmarks respectively. The western cachet featuring the loud.snorting, high kicking, dust raising Brahma bull trying to throw the rider. Another COLLINS cover which makes the wait worthwhile. Each cover personally carried to Montana to acquire actual First Day cancels. Each cover hand painted to provide attractive cachets that mass production can't come close to matching. Each cover destined to become sought after items in the hobby. As you receive each offering every few weeks, reflect what it takes month after month after month to offer covers such as this one on a consistent basis. It takes a lot. As always, I'm pleased to present this one for your COLLINS collection. Item #J1501 - $8.00.