[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
First-Time Entrant Wins Top Honors of AFDCS Cachet Contest

A first day cover by Central New York resident Kevin Colton, who had never entered the American First Day Cover Society’s annual cachetmaking contest before, was chosen as the best design of 2023. His cachets for the Winter Woodland Animals (Sc. 5822-25) and, in particular, for the deer, jumped out at the judges, says contest chair Chris Calle.

Colton, who uses the trade name “KSC Cachets,” also won the Se-Tenant category with his set of four FDCs, as well as taking first place in Printed Artwork/Design, Multicolored (U.S. Flag, Sc. 5790 or 5791), and first, second and third place in Foreign Covers. In addition, his granddaughter Marrah Reichart, took first place in the Ages 10 and Under category with her cachet for the Red Fox stamp (Sc. 5742).

“I was totally blown away when I read the results,” Colton said. “I never expected to do so well. I love the creative process of designing covers that fit the topic of the stamps issued.”

The retired photographer had been creating KSC Cachets off and on since 1998, but an injury ten years ago kept him from working. His interest in first day covers was rekindled. Now he produces FDCs for almost all of U.S. and Canada issues, usually 20 to 25 each, as well as event covers and some add-ons (cachets on earlier uncacheted FDCs).

Colton says the Winter Woodland Animals designs were created in PhotoShop using a combination of stock images and artificial intelligence. “I have the idea of what I want and then begin to put all the pieces together,” he said. Each of the cachets in this set are composed of three to four different images, before he manipulated them into the final image design.

His cachets are printed on a Canon Pro 200 inkjet printer. “I had to change the entire configuration of the printer profile to be able to print on #6? envelopes,” he said. ”I only use dye-based ink to hold more vivid colors on the paper of the envelopes and the ink is more durable over time.”

He had been urged to enter the competition during a conversation with Calle. “My goal has never been to win contest but to create covers that I like and share them with others.”

Colton can be reached at kevin@kevincoltonphotography.com or 2043 Worden Rd, Seneca Falls, NY 13148-9722.

Click here to see the complete results for the Issues of 2023 Contest.

The American First Day Cover Society is a not-for-profit educational organization. In addition to holding the Cachetmaking Contest, the AFDCS also publishes its bimonthly magazine First Days, handbooks and catalogues, and promotes the collecting of both modern and “classic” issues and cachets, as well as exhibiting FDCs. It also offers awards for outstanding first day cover exhibits, and is a co-host of the annual Great American Stamp Show.

For more information about the AFDCS, visit www.afdcs.org, e-mail afdcs@afdcs.org or write the AFDCS at Post Office Box 27, Greer, SC 29652-0027.