The Ship's Eagle

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Official Mail USA Official Mail USA HINGTO 20 20 Penalty for privat Penakorpivate use $300 19 1988 20066 Chis Calle DC

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THE SHIP'S EAGLE First Day of Issue: May 19, 1988 First Issue Location: Washington, DC Throughout the centuries, the sea has held a mystery all its own. Its beauty ... its untamed fury countered only by its soothing calm ... its solitude ... its unknown depths and mythical creatures ... these have long lured men in ships into the fold of the sea. In the early days of America, com- merce and industry developed out of the sea. The sea pro- vided ports for the import and export of goods, fish for food, and a livelihood for men; but also danger and the prospect of a lonely death should things go awry. Thus, the ships that braved the sea were crafted of the finest ma- terials a captain could afford. For his ship would carry the captain out into that mysterious unknown ... and, hope- fully, would bring him home safely again. Not surpris- ingly, the ship became for him a symbol of his life. And thus, the eagle came to adorn it. On his return, the seaman would tell his tales and embellish the part played by the noble woodcarved eagle which had led his way through the treacherous sea. No. 88-24 ©1988 The Maximum Card Collection A Division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007 Original painting by Chris Calle