Welcome to my website: www.covercraft.co.uk where you can view my personal collection of CoverCraft official First Day Covers.
The collection includes most of the signed copies, as issued originally
by CoverCraft, as well as later versions where I was fortunate enough
to get a signature purely to add to this collection. There are also a
few 'cds' and slogan postmark variations and other oddments.
CoverCraft was founded in London in 1985 by Raf de Swarte who had
previously worked as 'Design Encounter' producing a number of special
posters, prints and postcards as well as First Day Covers. As demand
for his 'philatelic' work increased it became clear that this would be
the main focus of the business, hence the change of name to CoverCraft.
A wide range of special projects soon followed with anniversary
editions for oil companies such as Ultramar and Esso, historic Trades
Unions such as the GMB and the T&G, the RAF Memorial Flight and
magazines such as Radio Times. A set of six postcards marking the
Tercentenary of Lloyds' of London was also produced in 1988.
The most recent First Day Cover was issued in 2004 and a Commemorative
Cover in 2005. For over 20 years Raf has designed covers for various
well known companies and worked with some of Britain's top designers
and illustrators. In addition to sponsored official First Day Covers
he has produced hundreds of Commemorative Covers and has worked with
the Royal Mail and many other household names in the world of First Day
Covers and postmark designing. When I was offered the opportunity of
obtaining the covercraft.co.uk web name directly from him I decided this was a great chance for me to show my collection on the Internet!
The collection is not quite complete however as I continue to search
for a handful of signed covers, and other possible cover variations,
but that is part of the challenge and pleasure of collecting what are
recognised as some of the most innovative and interesting First Day
Covers ever produced.
I hope you enjoy my collection. Thank you for visiting.
Richard Dean