Set of 16: Columbian Exposition 100th Anniversary Series 1992

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TED STATES OF AML OLUM BIAN THALE DOT POSTAG E FIVE D OLLARS 14592 UNITED STATES OF 1992 MERICA 85 $45 IDSIATES AY 22 1992 90601 TAMINCA ICAGO 22 1992 192 1992 DORAMER C UNUVEDSTAT 607 ISABE UMBUS 16R NICAGO 22 1992 ANEDSTAT 1999 $3 cCOLU P060 CHOORD VOYA CE UNITED STATES 0FAMERI(GA 1192 UNITEDSTVES OF 1992 ERIGA 22 CHICAGO c CS C INS G 22 1992 60601 UNTTEDSTATES OSTAC23 ON E 1992 22 1992 ISAHE NGHE R JEWELS UNITED STATES OFAMERICA IL 3ICAGO 1992 4592 EOEN AGE FI 22 1992 60601 COLUMBUS SDLICITING•AID OF•ISABELLA 11 UNTTED STVV ESOF 1992 AMERIGA nin l COLUMBUSELCC CAT BA, CELONA CHIC 22 1992 0601 STAGEFOURC ENY V 1992 IL UNTTED STAES 22 1992 60601 r0• FLEET OF COLUMBU S UNTTED STAVES K FLAG SHIP CECU UMBUS X HICAGO 22 1992 60601 UNITED STATES OFAMERIGA SAICAGO 6592 1992 UNITEDSTATE IL 22 1992 60601 C ROLANDING OF COLUMBU S X 1992 OF AMERICA 30 SAGET 1992 G0601 VACCOLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA XK SHIONGO UNITED STATE TEN AGE T ERICA 10 22 1992 60601 & COL UMBUS PRESENTINC•NATIVE S X 1992 ER CA UNITED ST WESOF 12 CHICAGO LAN D * COLI 22 1992 60601 CHICAGO ONITED STATES O E EN RICA 22 1992 STAGE 15 60601 COLUMBUS ANN OUNCINC HIS DISCOVERY 1492 UNTTED STAT 1992 EHICAGO IL 22 1992 AGE FIE 50 50 60601 K EC LLOF CO UNITEDSTATES 0FAMERI(CA 1+92 1992 1692 60601 ces CO RES ORE TO

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COLUMBUS First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois He was born in the town of Genoa in 1451 to Domenico Colombo and Suzanna Fontanarossa and from a young age, he looked to the open sea for answers. This much we know about the man who “discovered” the New World. We also know — with the benefit of our 20th century hindsight - that he was a man of contradictions. Famous and infamous, courageous yet jealous, convincing but arrogant. We don't even really know what he looked like and this is evident in the numerous paintings of Colum- bus: no two are alike. Significantly, the mystery surround- ing Columbus the man also surrounds the $5 Columbus can prove what work of art the stamp was taken from. However, some solid evidence seems to point in the direction of a medal designed by Olin L. Warner. The profile on the stamp is remarkably similar to that of Warner's medal. The 1892 Columbian Half Dollar also bears what appears to be the same bust of Columbus on its obverse. No. 92-27 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original design: Obverse of United States 1892 Columbian Half Dollar after Columbian Exposition Medal by Olin L. Warner, Chicago Historical Society. Heetwood ISABELLA AND COLUMBUS First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois The relationship between Queen Isabella of Spain and Christopher Columbus of Italy, Portugal and points be- tween, was a study in contrasts. Isabella — properly Isabella the Catholic — was an heiress of Castile, born to John II and all of the benefits of royalty. Columbus was born in Genoa to an Italian weaver and would struggle through his early years to make a name for himself. When Isabella and Columbus finally met, the history of the world changed forever. Thus, portraits of the two were chosen for the $4 Isabella and Columbus commemora- tive stamp, issued in 1893. The portrait of Isabella, titled Isabelle of Castille, is an enigma, its location and artist remain unknown. Some feel that it could have been painted by Antonio Muñoz Degrain, but this has not been confirmed. The Columbus portrait, however, was painted by Lorenzo Lotto (1480-1556), an Italian artist and al- though completed in 1512, six years after the death of Columbus, many feel that it is the most authentic portrait of the admiral. No. 92-26 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Christopher Columbus by 1.A. Suschenko after Lorenzo Lotto. Original painting Queen Isabella by I.A. Suschenko after engraving by Antonio Degrain. Heetwood COLUMBUS DESCRIBING THIRD VOYAGE First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois As soon as Christopher Columbus returned from his second voyage to the newly-discovered lands, he went to Ferdinand and Isabella to request funding for yet another voyage. Approval for a third trip was a long time coming since the country's bank was being drained by the war with France and Naples. And Columbus was no longer in the limelight. The navigation genius Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1497 and found a route to India, while others were probing the seas in every direction. Nevertheless, he was finally given funding and embarked for the New World on his ill-fated third voyage. The $3 Columbus Describing Third Voyage commemo- rative stamp of 1893 was based upon a painting created around 1881 by Francisco Jover and entitled Columbus Describing His Third Voyage. However, the subject for the painting contains no small amount of irony, since Columbus returned to Spain in disgrace and irons and probably had little to describe. The painting has since disappeared, although it is felt to be somewhere in Spain. No. 92-25 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Columbus' Third Voyage to the New World by Nikolai K. Litvinov after Francisco Jover. Heetwood COLUMBUS IN CHAINS First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois While Columbus was without a doubt a respectable admiral, he left quite a bit to be desired as an administra- tor. After his ill-fated third voyage, Columbus was ar- rested on Hispaniola for mismanagement of the colonies in the New World. While it is doubtful that anyone could have successfully managed to quell the rebellions and uprisings caused by the clash of New World and Old, Columbus proved to be inflexible, weak at times and often completely ruthless. He was returned in chains to Spain in 1500 along with his brothers Bartolomeo and Diego. The great explorer who had seen such a meteoric rise to fame saw an equally sharp plummet to disgrace. In 1841, well-known painter Emanuel Leutze (1816-1868) created a work titled The Return of Columbus in Chains to Cadiz. From this painting, the $2 Columbus in Chains that this painting had been lost for all time, an extensive search uncovered the work in excellent condition in a private collection in the United States. No. 92-24 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting The Return of Columbus in Chains to Cadiz by Emanuel Leutze in private collection. Fleetwood ISABELLA PLEDGING HER JEWELS First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois "By these presents we dispatch the noble man Christoforus Colón (Christopher Columbus) with three equipped caravels over the Ocean Seas toward the regions of India for certain reasons and purposes.” So read a royal decree announcing the funding of Christo- pher Columbus' grand scheme. This great financial gamble was financed in a large part with more than 1,000,000 maravedis put up by the Holy Brotherhood of Spain. The legend that Queen Isabella pawned her jewels because the royal coffers were depleted from the war with the Moors is merely a fable. Although the Queen offered the jewels to the cause, this never was necessary. The legend served as inspiration for artist Antonio Muñoz Degrain (1843-1924) for his painting Isabel the Catholic Bequeaths Her Jewels, c. 1878. Although this painting was displayed at the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris, since that time, the painting has disappeared. This paint- ing was the basis for the $1 Isabella Pledging Her Jewels commemorative stamp issued in 1893. No. 92-23 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Queen Isabella of Spain Pledging Jewels by Gherman A. Komlev after Antonio Muñoz Degrain. Fleetwood COLUMBUS SOLICITING AID OF ISABELLA First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois In 1484, after years of sailing experience to such faraway places as Africa and Iceland, Christopher Columbus presented a petition to King John Il of Portugal for what he called “Enterprise of the Indies." By sailing westward, he contended, ships could reach the Indies. The good King turned his proposal over to a committee and they flatly rejected it. Not to be discouraged, Columbus turned to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain for support. They, like King John II, turned it over to a panel of their own experts, who also rejected the idea. The reasons? The distance was too great and the proposal infeasible. Finally, in the spring of 1492 the venture was financed from the royal coffers and the great navigator was on his way. Columbus' quest for funds and his appeal to Queen Columbus Soliciting Aid of Isabella stamp. The stamp was designed from the monumental work of art Columbus at the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella by the Czech artist Wenceslas de Brozik (1851-1901). No. 92-32 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Columbus at the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella by Wenceslas de Brozik, Manoir Richelieu Hotel, Quebec. Heetwood COLUMBUS WELCOMED AT BARCELONA First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois Christopher Columbus' double crossing of the vast Atlan- tic Ocean has gone down in history as one of the most amazing feats of navigation ever known. But Columbus and his men almost did not make it back to Spain. On the night of February 14, 1493, a fierce storm hit the Niña and the Pinta — the Santa María had perished on a Haitian reef — and the ships were separated. The storm raged on, threatening to swallow the Niña, Columbus, and the knowledge of the discovery. Finally, on March 9, the ship limped into the Portuguese harbor of Lisbon. On March 30, he received a letter from the King and Queen, summoning him to Barcelona. The explorer arrived to a hero's welcome in a scene of great splendor. The memo- rable moment in history served as inspiration for artist Randolph Rogers (1852-1892), who crafted it upon the bronze doors of the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. From Rogers' work, the 6-cent Columbus Welcomed at Barcelona stamp of 1893 was engraved. No. 92-33 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original design: Bronze panel sculpture Entry of Columbus into Barcelona by Randolph Rogers, Rotunda Doors, U.S. Capitol, Washington. Heetwood FLEET OF COLUMBUS First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois By modern standards, the ships of Columbus were tiny. But for the era, they were state-of-the-art, particularly the Niña and the Pinta. These ships, known as caravels, were light — each about 60 tons — swift and maneuverable and could sail into the wind. Where the Santa María was the workhorse of the small, three-ship fleet, the Niña and the Pinta were the racehorses. On September 6, 1492, the three vessels sailed west from the Canary Islands for the vast unknown. The 4-cent Fleet of Columbus stamp issued in 1893 depicted this beautiful fleet en route to the New World. Although many philatelists presumed that the design of the stamp was taken from a Spanish engrav- ing, an extensive search turned up the truth at the Spanish Naval Museum in Madrid. There, a painting with the title The Three Caravel on Their Way to America is displayed. Painted by Rafael Monleon y Torres, this treasured art- work was the basis for this stamp. No. 92-31 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting The Three Caravel on Their way to America by Rafael Monleon y Torres, Spanish Naval Museum, Madrid. Heetwood FLAG SHIP OF COLUMBUS First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois Measuring 117 feet with castles fore and aft, the Marigalante was an impressive sight among the ships of the era. She was renamed the Santa María, became the flagship of Columbus and was personally captained by him. On September 6, 1492, the Santa María set sail from the Canary Islands en route to the Indies – a geographical term of the time for Japan, Burma, India, Indonesia and China — along with the Niña and the Pinta. She was classed as a nao, a Spanish term for ship, and estimated at 90 tons. Sadly, only months after Colum- bus' discovery, the helmsman ran her aground on a reef Flag Ship of Columbus stamp of 1893 is shrouded in mystery. Supposedly, it was designed by an unknown Spanish engraver, but it is not known if the die was inspired by a painting or if the engraver simply crafted his own version of the Santa María. An extensive search for the original piece of art has led to a dead end and the painting — if there is one — is presumed lost forever. No. 92-30 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Santa María Flagship of Columbus by Gherman A. Komlev after engraving by unknown Spanish artist. Fleetwood LANDING OF COLUMBUS First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois Shortly after the sighting of land, Columbus and the captains of the Pinta and the Niña – brothers Martín Alonso and Fransciso Martín Pinzón — along with sev- eral other officials, embarked for the island. This moment in history captured the imagination of artist John Vanderlyn (1775-1852) who was commissioned in 1837 to paint The Landing of Columbus for the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., where the painting is displayed today. In the foreground of the painting, under an almost ethereal light stands Columbus holding a sword and the royal flag, while natives and sailors alike tremble Landing of Columbus stamp of 1893 was designed. When the Columbian Exposition stamps were issued, it was almost immediately noticed with amusement that Vanderlyn's Columbus wore a full beard, while the Columbus on the 1-cent Columbus in Sight of Land was clean shaven. This of course gave rise to speculations on Columbus' astounding ability to grow facial hair! No. 92-29 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection" ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Landing of Columbus by John Vanderlyn, U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Washington. Fleetwood COLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois For several years, Christopher Columbus endeavored to raise money for his grand quest. After being rejected by the King of Portugal and others, Columbus appeared for the first time in front of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. His “Enterprise of the Indies” was presented to the royal couple and they turned it over to a special committee. Five seemingly-endless years went by while Columbus waited for word. Finally, word came — the request was turned down. Dejected, Columbus sought solace at La Rabida, a monastery near Huelva, Spain. La Rabida was a healing place for the would be explorer and in time, he was ready once again to present his proposal to the Spanish royal couple. Columbus at La Rabida was the subject of a painting known as Columbus Before the Franciscans at La Rabida by Felipe Maso de Falp (1851-1929). This painting was used for the design of the 30-cent Columbus at La Rabida stamp of the 1893 Columbian Exposition series. However, the original art- work appears to have been lost. No. 92-37 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Columbus Explaining His Discovery at La Rabida, Spain by Nikolai K. Litvinov after Felipe Maso de Falp. Fleetwood COLUMBUS PRESENTING NATIVES First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois Perhaps the most compelling evidence of Columbus' find were six natives from the newly discovered land. Colum- bus removed by force seven natives from the island he christened San Salvador; a half dozen made it to Barcelona. There, they were given a grand reception and they paraded in native costume down the streets of the city, enthralling the crowds. They were baptized and given Christian names with the King and Queen serving as godparents. The remarkable appearance of the natives in their exotic dress was an inspiration for artist Luigi Gregori (1819-1896) who was the artist-in-residence at the Vatican. Gregori's painting, entitled Return of Colum- bus and Reception at Court was the design used for the 10-cent Columbus Presenting Natives commemorative of Gregori's works in the Administration Building at University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. Each of the paintings was painted by Gregori and depicts a moment in the life of Columbus. No. 92-35 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Return of Columbus and Reception at Court by Luigi Gregori, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana. Fleetwood COLUMBUS IN SIGHT OF LAND First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois At two in the morning on October 12, 1492, a sailor named Juan Rodríguez Bermejo or Rodrigo de Triana sighted land from the deck of the Pinta, one of Christopher Columbus' three ships. It had been more than a month since the men had seen land as they bobbed west on an empty, lonely ocean. According to legend, disbelievers among the crew were finally convinced that Columbus was divinely inspired and fell to their knees in front of him. This legend was the inspiration of a painting created by George William Henry Powell (1823-1879). In the center of Powell's painting stands a staunch, controlled Columbus among his elated and reverent men. It is believed that engravers crafted the 1-cent Columbus in Sight of Land stamp from Powell's work. Of the 16 commemorative stamps issued in 1893 for the Chicago Exposition, this stamp departs the farthest from the origi- nal painting. The original, which is held in a private collection in New York City, was once thought “lost." No. 92-28 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood®, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Columbus in Sight of Land by Gherman A. Komlev after stamp engraving inspired by G.W.H. Powell painting in private collection. Heetwood COLUMBUS ANNOUNCING HIS DISCOVERY First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois “For although men have talked or written of these lands, all was conjecture, without getting a look at it, but amounted to only this, that those who heard for the most part listened and judged it more a fable than that there was anything in it, however small." So wrote a 42-year- old mariner who had conquered the vast seas of the unknown and brought back news of a newly discovered land. Within a few weeks, Christopher Columbus pre- sented evidence of his find to the royal court. Artist Ricardo Balaca y Orejas Canseco (1844-1880) painted the royal reception and titled it Columbus Received by the Catholic Kings After His First Travel. The theme of the 15-cent Columbus Announcing His Discovery com- memorative stamp issued in 1893 is based upon this painting. Unfortunately, an extensive search for this treasure has come up empty, although it is presumed still in existence and somewhere in Spain. At one time, the art may have been on display in Madrid, but during the Spanish Civil War, it disappeared. No. 92-36 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Columbus Announcing His Discovery to the Spanish Court by 1.A. Suschenko after Ricardo Balaca y Orejas Canseco. Teelwood RECALL OF COLUMBUS First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois Fresh from his rest at the monastery of La Rabida, Chris- topher Columbus strode confidently into the Spanish royal chambers, where he again laid out his proposal for a trip west into unknown waters in search of a direct passage to India. Should his scheme bear fruit, he de- manded great reward from the Spanish monarchs. The King and Queen were shocked by the would be adventurer's requirements. The royal couple dismissed him and Columbus departed in January 1492 for France or England. Advisors close to the King and Queen pre- vailed, however, and Columbus was recalled. According to legend, a messenger was sent on foot to catch Colum- bus and bring him back to the court, where his demands would be granted. This inspired artist Augustus George Heaton (1844-1931) to paint his artwork Recall of Colum- bus in 1883. From this piece, the 50-cent Recall of Columbus commemorative stamp of 1893 was created. The painting can be viewed in the Senate Wing of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. No. 92-38 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection™ ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting Recall of Columbus by Augustus George Heaton, Senate Wing, U.S. Capitol. Heetwood COLUMBUS RESTORED TO FAVOR First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992 First Issue Location: Chicago, Illinois After Christopher Columbus' third voyage debacle and subsequent return to Spain in chains, it appeared as if the hero had truly fallen. But the Spanish court vindicated the aging adventurer and he began to plan another trip to the New World, sure that a strait could be found which would lead directly into the Indian Ocean. Royal approval, however, was a long time coming and when it did come, it was accompanied with only a modest financial invest- ment. The intrepid explorer's return to favor is marked on months after the issuance of the other Columbian stamps. It was designed from a painting entitled The Affectionate Reception of Columbus by Ferdinand and Isabella by Francisco Jover y Casanova (1836-1890). The painting, which was presumed to be “somewhere in Spain" was indeed located and today is the property of Valladolid University in Valladolid, Spain, where Columbus died. No. 92-34 First Day of Issue Postcard Collection ©1992 Fleetwood, Cheyenne, WY 82008-0001 Original painting The Affectionate Reception of Columbus by Ferdinand and Isabella by Francisco Jover y Casanova, Valladolid, Spain. Fleetwood