Seeking Queen Isabella's Support

Front:
First Voyage of Christopher Columbus Seeking Queen Isabella's Support RED SHANRA29 APR 24 1992 O0820 VI CHRISTH

Back:
SEEKING QUEEN ISABELLA'S SUPPORT First Day of Issue: April 24, 1992 First Issue Location: Christiansted, US Virgin Islands Born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451, Christopher Columbus made his first voyage at age 19 or 20, and the sea became his life. In 1477 Columbus found himself in Portugal. Like Spain and Italy, Portugal sought a navigable route to the Indies, and its seamen followed the treacherous African coastline to find an easterly route. Columbus maintained that the east could be reached by sailing directly west, but King John Il of Portugal refused to invest in his far-reaching plan. In 1485 Columbus approached King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. Seven years passed before Co- lumbus heard from the Spanish court. Isabella agreed to support his voyage and agreed as well to grant Columbus's ambitious demands — that he be named an admiral, a noble and governor of any lands discovered, and that he receive a percentage of any trades established with dis- covered territories. In honor of the 500th anniversary of Columbus's first voyage, the stamp and artwork on this First Day of Issue Postcard pay tribute to the Italian mariner who forever altered man's perception of his world. No. 92-13 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood® Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting for the First Day of Issue Postcard by Tom McNeely Heetwood