Below you can see my collection of hand-printed cachets made by Ray Robinson, New Jersey USA. Some of the artwork is initialled “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.
Space Shuttle STS-1 Launch – 14th Apr 1981:
First Day Issue / Space Shuttle Stamps – 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-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-51-C Launch – 24th Jan 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-61A Launch – 30th Oct 1985:
Space Shuttle STS-61B Launch – 26th Nov 1985:
Space Shuttle STS-31 Launch – 24th Apr 1990:
The reverse of Robinson Stamps Space Covers often (but not always) have rubber-stamped text in various different colours, like these:
