History

JONAL Art Covers began its evolution in early 1970. At this time, some Philatelic-Numismatic Covers (PNCs) were being issued with inserts whose only relation to coins were that they were made of metal. If you are a PNC collector you would understand how ridiculous this was! Eunice Alter, a self made artist in Massachusetts, and Jack Stuckart, then newsletter editor of SPAN (The Society of Philatelics and Numismatics) got together via postal mail. As a joke they started sending each other home-made PNCs with inserts of metal washers and safety pins and sand dollar sea shells to mock what the coin and stamp industry was accepting as a PNC.

When Jack saw the beauty and creativity of Eunice's work, he realized she should be producing a lot more than just jibes at the stamp and coin industry.... So, the newsletter editor of SPAN flew out to Massachusetts offering financing and professional advice to Mrs. Eunice Alter (a busy mother of 6 at the time) in hopes he'd convince her to start a business creating legitimate hand drawn, hand painted PNCovers. Needless to say he succeeded - and JONAL had its humble beginnings.

Philatelic (stamp) Numismatic (coin) Covers are envelopes with cancelled stamps on them, a coin mounted inside and showing through a dy cut-out, and often times a silk screened or printed picture. First Day of Issue Covers have their stamp cancelled on the first day the Post Office makes the stamp available for sale to the public. PNCs can be elaborate or simple, hold coins that are uncirculated or valuable or simply minted as a collector's item. PNCs, for the most part, are sold by large companies in great or limited quantities (just like art prints or collector's plates) and mostly printed in some form that can be produced in large numbers. That is why the pictures on them are printed or silk screened. PNCs are often designed to commemorate an historical , political or social event - just as the stamps you buy at the Post Office which commemorate a President, end of a war, Nobel prize winner, holiday, etc.

Eunice Alter, founder of JONAL ArtCovers, has created a unique niche for herself in the world of Philatelists and Numismatists. Her First Day of Issue Covers and PNCs are each researched and designed so that the coin, stamp and illustration are all interrelated and celebrate an important event or famous person. Each JONAL ArtCover is HAND PAINTED and signed by the artist. You can see why JONAL ArtCovers are so popular among serious coin and stamp and art collectors! Also, some of JONAL's PNCs are autographed by great political, entertainment and sports heroes making them an incredibly unique and valuable collector's item!

The Bicentennial covers were exhibited at the Cardinal Spellman Philatelic Library. The Arthur Fiedler Tribute Cover is part of the permanent Arthur Fiedler Exhibit at the Boston Statehood Library. Four dedication covers, including one dedicated to the composer of the world famous "Manhattan Serenade" (who made the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1975) are in the SHOF archives, awaiting placement in a permanent museum. Various collections of JONAL Artcovers have been displayed at ANA Conventions in N.Y., Boston and San Diego and in Post Offices and Banks.

Eunice Alter has been asked to speak at stamp and coin club meetings in Boston and in California. She was honored by SPAN in 1973, and again in 1983, as Woman of the Year - joining Margo Russell (former editor of Coin World) as two time winner of this coveted award! She is currently President/ Treasurer of SPAN. Some of JONAL's greatest treasures include covers autographed by 9 First Ladies, 7 Presidents, Astronauts, Cosmonauts, Olympic Medal Winners, Sports heroes, and famous authors, Composers, Musicians, and Movie Stars.

The research and creativity that goes into each JONAL ArtCover makes for a tremendously informative and enjoyable collection. Come back again to view and read about new PNCs being offered. These ArtCovers are not available ANYWHERE else in the world and many you see here are the last available from Special Editions.

If you are interested in information about purchasing current JONAL ArtCovers, commissioning Special Editions, or ordering a PNC personalized for a gift or special occasion.... Send us an E-Mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or write to:

Eunice Alter / JONAL ArtCovers c/o Majon International P.O. Box 6059 Los Osos, CA 93412