Front:
Carreta 1770s Carreta1770s
7.6 USA
7.6 USA
Nonprofit
JOSE
mprofit
30
1988
95101
Benil
CA
Back:
CARRETA
First Day of Issue: August 30, 1988
First Issue Location: San Jose, California
Today, the white walls and red tile roofs of the old Spanish
mission churches are enveloped in the quiet dignity of
age. But, built by the Franciscan friars to convert the
Indians to Christianity, the missions evolved as hubs of
commercial activity as well as centers of prayerful medi-
tation. The friars taught the Indians to raise crops and live-
stock. Export markets soon developed, and the main
means of transportation toting all the new found wealth
from mission land to seaport was the two-wheeled carreta
shown on this Maximum Card. The carreta resembled
carts used during medieval times. It proved popular at the
missions because it was easy to make and highly adapt-
able. Its sides were usually a latticework of staves or
spindles, and were left semi-open. The axle was thick,
with massive wheels rimmed with iron. Some carretas
were “headed” (roofed over) with leather, oilskin, or felt.
Oxen, horses, or mules were used to draw a carreta-de-
pending on the weight of the load. As such, the carreta
was a vital part of the missionary life.
No. 88-53
©1988 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by Basil Smith
