Please visit our Home Page to see our recent honors.
NOW AVAILABLE
2012 ISSUES (scroll down to see illustrations)
LUNAR NEW YEAR ~ DRAGON
LOVE – RIBBONS
DANNY THOMAS
CHERRY BLOSSOMS pair
WILLIAM H. JOHNSON
JOSE FERRER
2012 WOOD DUCK
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL block/4
EDGAR RICE BORROUGHS
USS CONSTITUTION ~ OLD IRONSIDES
O. HENRY
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD ~ GUATEMALA
Orders can now be taken for the above covers. Please note that some illustrations are temporary with simulated stamps, placements and postmarks. Mock-ups will be replaced as the issues become available. Scroll down to see illustrations of completed covers. To place orders, go to Cachet Prices page and follow instructions.
Our first issue of the year is a Hongbao — a red envelope wishing good luck and prosperity to the recipient.
DGX #210 LUNAR NEW YEAR ~ DRAGON
This FDC is an actual Hongbao (Red Envelope) which is traditionally given on Lunar New Year as a gift of good luck and prosperity. Added to each cover by hand is a border of metallic gold, giving an added brilliance to the cachet design. An old Chinese proverb is enclosed along with the insert text explaining the Hongbao.
——————
Next up is the LOVE – RIBBONS FDC. This cachet design has a Valentines Day postmark.
DGX #211 LOVE ~ RIBBONS
This original cachet design features a mythical girl in a forest of Love. She is holding a vase which could be holding Love Potion #9. A red ribbon has been added to each cover by hand.
——————
DGX #212 DANNY THOMAS
The Danny Thomas issue is twofold. It honors the man for his entertainment achievements and also for his humanitarianism.
The original artwork in this design depicts an aura around a portrait of Danny Thomas. The composite design also features Danny Thomas holding a child recipient of his work with the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a statue of St. Jude, and the Danny Thomas – Alsac Pavilion on the grounds of the Hospital.
——————
DGX #213 CHERRY BLOSSOMS FDC (PAIR)
The story of Cherry Blossom time in Washington, DC is told with the cachet design. Cherry Blossoms surround the pair of stamps, the Washington Monument and a Japanese Pagoda are amid Cherry Blossoms, and two hands clasped in friendship are identified with the country flags.
——————
DGX #214 WILLIAM H JOHNSON FDC
Welcome to the William H. Johnson Art Gallery. The cachet features the artist at his easel, with a few of his paintings displayed on the wall. A special frame has been made to hold his painting “Flowers” which is the stamp issue.
——————
DGX #215 JOSE FERRER FDC
This composite cachet design depicts three portraits: Jose Ferrer as himself; in his role as Henri Toulouse Lautrec, for which he won an Academy Award; and as he protrayed “Cyrano de Bergerac,”for which he won both an Oscar and a Tony, the first time any actor won both awards for the same role. Note the actual feather in his cap, which has been added to each cover by hand.
——————
DGX #216 2012 DUCK STAMP — WOOD DUCK
The colorful Wood Duck is shown on the cachet design, which has been hand drawn and hand painted in watercolors, then reproduced in full color on hand crafted envelopes. The design pays careful attention to the shape, colors and shadings of the Wood Duck. Added by hand to each cover are a “real” green feather, and the “shiny eyeball”. The 45c Girl Scout stamp is used for the 1st class postage rate required on Duck covers. (The scout seems to be searching possibly for Wood Ducks). Only a limited number of these covers have been produced, and orders are filled to Duck Subscribers and then to special orders until the supply is exhausted.
——————
DGX #217 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL (BLOCK/4)
This cachet for Major League Baseball is an all-over original watercolor hand painted design featuring the four players on the stamps — Ted Williams, Larry Doby, Willie Stargell, and Joe Dimaggio, each with their number circled. The block/4 stamps is used on all covers, with the pictorial postmark in the center of the envelope. The title, We Are Family is explained in the text insert included with each FDC.
——————
DGX #218 EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS
The cachet design tells a story about the author, Edgar Rice Burroughs (ERB). As he reads from one of his Tarzan books, Tarzan appears to his left emerging from the ivy and leaves of his home. To his right is John Carter as he may have appeared in one of the Barsoom (Mars) stories, standing on the steps of an imaginary temple, with mythical animals and imaginary characters.
——————
DGX #219 USS CONSTITUTION ~ OLD IRONSIDES
The USS CONSTITUTION, or OLD IRONSIDES, as it is known, is featured on this FDC, proudly sailing the seas. Much detail has been given to this three masted ship. The U.S. flag flies prominently along with others of many hues.
——————
DGX #220 O. HENRY (GIFT OF THE MAGI)
This cachet design tells a short story of the short story writer, O. Henry, as he imagines “The Gift of the Magi.” Della admires her long hair in a mirror, as Jim admires his treasured gold watch. To learn the outcome of the story, read the insert text included with each FDC.
——————
DGX #221 CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD ~ GUATAMELA
This year we honor Guatemala in our Christmas Around the World series. This cachet design portrays Guatemalan children in a re-enactment of the Nativity scene. Children play an important part in the celebration of the Christmas holiday in Guatemala. Learn more about the Guatemalan Christmas traditions in the text insert included with each First Day Cover.