Below you can see my collection of hand-printed cachets made by Ray Robinson, New Jersey USA. Some of the artwork is initialed “RER” in the design.
Ray Robinson began his cover making journey in 1977, creating a mere 6 covers for the 50th Anniversary of Lindbergh’s Solo Transatlantic Flight stamp. Ray’s unique method involved hand-printing linoleum block cuts or printing plates discovered at a local flea market. A pivotal moment came when his uncle generously sent over a disused printing proof press from his envelope manufacturing company, allowing Ray to expand his production capabilities, though he seldom exceeded 100 covers per issue. While his primary focus remained on creating first day covers, Ray also began making commemorative covers for space shuttle missions as well. Additionally, Ray experimented with add-on cachets for Project Mercury covers, treating them as valuable practice opportunities. Despite a slowdown in activity following marriage and parenthood, Ray continued to create covers, albeit in limited quantities, while also cultivating a passion for collecting hand-drawn cachets from diverse comic book artists and illustrators which remains his main collecting interest today.
In March 2024 I was lucky enough to interview Ray Robinson via email. You can read the full interview transcript here.
Project Mercury MA-6 / John Glenn / Friendship 7 – 20th Feb 1962:
Project Mercury MA-9 / Gordon Cooper / Faith 7 – 15th May 1963:
10c First Man on the Moon Stamp FDI – 9th Sep 1969:
15c Viking Stamp FDI – 20th Jul 1978:
Space Shuttle STS-1 Launch – 14th Apr 1981:
Space Shuttle Stamps FDI – 21st May 1981:
Space Shuttle STS-2 Launch – 12th Nov 1981:
Space Shuttle STS-3 Launch – 22nd Mar 1982:
This cover was produced for the ATA Space Unit (New York Chapter) / Interpex ’82
Space Shuttle STS-3 Launch – 22nd Mar 1982:
United Nations / Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space / FDI 20c Stamp – 6th Jun 1982:
Space Shuttle STS-4 Launch – 27th Jun 1982:
Space Shuttle STS-6 Launch – 4th Apr 1983:
Space Shuttle STS-7 Launch – 18th Jun 1983:
Space Shuttle STS-8 Launch – 30th Aug 1983:
Space Shuttle STS-9 Launch – 28th Nov 1983:
Space Shuttle STS-41-D Launch – 30th Aug 1984:
Space Shuttle STS-51-C Launch – 24th Jan 1985:
Space Shuttle STS-51-D Launch – 12th Apr 1985:
Space Shuttle STS-51-G Launch – 17th Jun 1985:
Space Shuttle STS-51-F Launch – 29th Jul 1985:
Space Shuttle STS-51-J Launch – 3rd Oct 1985:
Space Shuttle STS-61-A Launch – 30th Oct 1985:
Space Shuttle STS-61-B Launch – 26th Nov 1985:
Space Shuttle STS-61-C Launch – 12th Jan 1986:
Ameripex ’86 (Space Unit, NY Chapter) / Card – 23rd May 1986 / Cover – 28th May 1986:
Space Shuttle STS-41-G / Marc Garneau / Canadarm / FDI Stamp – 27th Jun 1986:
1-Year Anniversary of Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster – 28th Jan 1987:
Space Shuttle STS-26 Launch – 29th Sep 1988:
Space Shuttle STS-27 Launch – 2th Dec 1988:
Farmpex ’89 / Honoring the First American Woman to Walk in Space (Kathryn Sullivan) – 18th Feb 1989:
Space Shuttle STS-29 Launch – 13th Mar 1989:
Space Shuttle STS-30 Launch – 4th May 1989:
20th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Mission – 20th Jul 1989:
Space Shuttle STS-33 – 27th Nov 1989:
Space Shuttle STS-32 Launch – 9th Jan 1990:
4-Year Anniversary of Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster – 28th Jan 1990:
Space Shuttle STS-31 Launch – 24th Apr 1990:
Space Shuttle STS-43 Launch – 2nd Aug 1991:
FDI Stamp – 1st Oct 1991:
Space Shuttle STS-42 Launch – 22nd Jan 1992:
Space Shuttle STS-46 Launch – 31st Jul 1992:
Space Shuttle STS-47 Launch – 12th Sep 1992:
25th Anniversary of Apollo 11 Mission – 20th Jul 1994:
Space Shuttle STS-71 – 29th Jun 1995:
FDI Stamp – 13th Mar 1997:
FDI Stamp – 17th Sep 1999:
FDI Stamp – 2nd May 2000:
Some unused Ray Robinson covers are shown here:
The reverse of Robinson Stamps Space Covers often (but not always) have rubber-stamped text in various different colours, like these:
More to come here !
Australia Bicentenary Celebration – 26th Jan 1988:
Not a space cover – but I had to show this cool cover here which was a gift from Ray Robinson, thanks Ray !
