Discovery of America 12.10.1963

These three stamps on the FDC are part of a eight stamp set of stamps on “Discovery of America”. A brief description of the personalities portrayed on the stamps is:

(80cts) José de Gálvez y Gallardo, marqués de Sonora (1720-1787), Spanish lawyer, and colonial official in New Spain (1764-1772) , ultimately Minister of the Indies.

(70cts) Vasco Núñez de Balboa (1475-1519), Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador. He is best known for having crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513, becoming the first European to lead an expedition to have seen or reached the Pacific from the New World.

(25cts) Junípero Serra, Spanish Franciscan friar who founded a mission in Baja California and the first nine of 21 Spanish missions in California from San Diego to San Francisco. He is also depicted on the first day cover.

Thank you Merja.

500th Anniversary of The Discovery of America by Amerigo Vespucci 30.10.1987

This Spanish stamp with the impressive postmarks on the Cover was issued to commemorate the 500^th Anniversary of The Discovery of  America, an honour Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512), who was an Italian explorer, financier, navigator and cartographer who first demonstrated that Brazil and the West Indies did not represent Asia's eastern outskirts as initially conjectured from Columbus' voyages, but instead constituted an entirely separate landmass hitherto unknown. Colloquially referred to as the New World, this second super continent came to be termed"America", deriving its name from the feminized Latin version of Vespucci's first name.

1992 EUROPA - Spain - 500th Anniversary of the voyages of Christopher Columbus 5.5.1992

These two stamps issued by Spain  on 5.5.1992 were on account of the ongoing EUROPA CEPT series of stamps. The theme for EUROPA stamps in 1992 was “Discovery of America” commemorating the 500^th Anniversary of the voyages of Christopher Columbus to the New World. 

In the early modern period, the voyages of Christopher Columbus initiated European exploration and colonization of the American continents and are thus of great significance in world history. Christopher Columbus was a navigator and an admiral for Spain. He made four voyages to the Americas, the first being in 1492 which resulted in the "discovery of America" from a European point of view.

The discovery of America has been attributed to others depending on context and definition. Some argue that Asians migrating across the Bering Strait to North America in prehistoric times (between 12,000 and 42,000 years ago) were the first to "discover" America. Others point to the Vikings which established a short-lived settlement in Newfoundland circa 1000. While Columbus was possibly not the first European to voyage to the New World and did not reach the mainland until his third voyage in 1498, his discovery led to the widespread knowledge of the existence of a new continent, for the first time in history. The breakthrough in geographical science led to the colonization of the New World by major European sea powers and is sometimes cited as the start of the Modern Era.

Thank you Maria.

EUROPA CEPT 1992 - Discovery of America - Liechtenstein 2.3.1992

These two stamps issued by Liechtenstein on 2.3.1992 were on account of the ongoing EUROPA CEPT series of stamps. The theme for EUROPA stamps in 1992 was “Discovery of America” commemorating the 500^th Anniversary of the voyages of Christopher Columbus to the New World. 

In the early modern period, the voyages of Christopher Columbus initiated European exploration and colonization of the American continents and are thus of great significance in world history. Christopher Columbus was a navigator and an admiral for Spain. He made four voyages to the Americas, the first being in 1492 which resulted in the "discovery of America" from a European point of view.

The discovery of America has been attributed to others depending on context and definition. Some argue that Asians migrating across the Bering Strait to North America in prehistoric times (between 12,000 and 42,000 years ago) were the first to "discover" America. Others point to the Vikings which established a short-lived settlement in Newfoundland circa 1000. While Columbus was possibly not the first European to voyage to the New World and did not reach the mainland until his third voyage in 1498, his discovery led to the widespread knowledge of the existence of a new continent, for the first time in history. The breakthrough in geographical science led to the colonization of the New World by major European sea powers and is sometimes cited as the start of the Modern Era.

Thank you Maria.

Discovery of America

This miniature sheet with six stamps was issued by Monaco to commemorate the 500^th Anniversary of the Discovery of America. Christopher Columbus (unknown; before 31 October 1451 – 20 May 1506) was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in what is today northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the Western Hemisphere. Those voyages, and his efforts to establish permanent settlements in the island of Hispaniola, initiated the process of Spanish colonization, which foreshadowed the general European colonization of the "New World".
In the context of emerging western imperialism and economic competition between European kingdoms seeking wealth through the establishment of trade routes and colonies, Columbus' far-fetched proposal to reach the East Indies by sailing westward received the support of the Spanish crown, which saw in it a promise, however remote, of gaining the upper hand over rival powers in the contest for the lucrative spice trade with Asia. During his first voyage in 1492, instead of reaching Japan as he had intended, Columbus landed in the Bahamas archipelago, at a locale he named San Salvador. Over the course of three more voyages, Columbus visited the Greater and Lesser Antilles, as well as the Caribbean coast of Colombia, Venezuela and Central America, claiming them for the Spanish Empire.

The Santa María was probably a medium sized nao (carrack); about 60 feet long on deck, "very little larger than 100 toneladas" (100 tons), and was used as the flagship for the expedition. The other ships of the Columbus expedition were the smaller caravel-type ships Santa Clara, remembered as La Niña ("The Girl"), and La Pinta ("The Painted One"). All these ships were second-hand (if not third or more) and were never meant for exploration. The Niña, Pinta, and the Santa María were modest sized merchant vessels comparable in size to a modern yacht, and not the largest ships in Europe at the time. They were smaller trade ships greatly surpassed in size by ships like the Great Michael, built in Scotland in 1511 with a length of 73.2 m (240 ft), and a crew of 300 sailors, 120 gunners, and up to 1,000 soldiers. The Peter von Danzig of the Hanseatic League was built in 1462 and was 51 m (167.3 ft) long. Another large ship, the English carrack Grace Dieu, was built during the period 1420–1439, was 66.4 m (218 ft) long, and weighed between 1,400 tons and 2,750 tons. The reason size is mentioned is that Columbus' three ships were built to sail the Mediterranean Sea, not the open ocean. This says a great deal about the courage of Columbus and his crew.

Europa 1992 - 500 Years of the discovery of America 11.5.1992

The theme chosen by the European Postal and Telecommunications Organisation (CEPT) for Europa 92 was "500 years since the discovery of America". Complete details of this theme are given in my post dated 14.9.2011, where I had described in fair amount of detail about 500 years since the discovery of America on Europa stamps issued by Cyprus.
Here, the FDC shown has stamps issued by Finland on the same theme on 8.5.1992. The stamps are both priced 2.10. The one on the left shows the Flag Ship Santa Maria with a map of the American end of the journey in the back ground. The stamp on the right shows a map with the European part of the voyage and a sketch of Columbus.
Christopher Columbus was an Italian who sailed under the Spanish Flag. He persevered in his quest to obtain backing for an expedition to sail a small fleet of ships to search for a sea route to the Indies. In 1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain finally give Christopher Columbus the money and ships for his expedition. The names of the 1497 Christopher Columbus Ships were the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. The brave men of the 1400's and 1500's, like Christopher Columbus, who sailed in uncharted waters to unknown lands were courageous adventurers who were motivated by fame, glory and the wealth. The living conditions on board the small ships were basic and the voyages were dangerous. My dear friend Pia gave me this FDC.

Europa 1992 - 500 Years of the discovery of America 29.5.1992

The theme chosen by the European Postal and Telecommunications Organisation (CEPT) for Europa 92 was "500 years since the discovery of America". The Cyprus issue consisted of four stamps, in pairs of two of the same value, as shown on the First Day Cover. The 10c+10c pair depicts Columbus' first voyage and embarkation at Palos. The second pair of 30c+30C depicts a portrait of Columbus with the ships "Santa Maria", "Nina" and "Pinta".

In the 15th century, the Europeans basically carried out their voyages of discovery for economic reasons, i.e. difficulties in free trade with the East, stories about large quantities of gold and the desire of the Europeans to control international trade. The voyages of discovery were possible because of new means such as the building of the caravel - a long, narrow, agile and resistant ship - the discovery of the compass and the use of other instruments such as the astrolabe, sextant and maps.
Christopher Columbus was born, probably at Genoa - there is no agreement as to the date, 1463 or 1446/7 or 1451. He was engaged in trade later with sea voyages. Columbus, convinced of the spherical shape of the Earth, nurtured ambitious plans of discoveries. He tried in vain to convince the king of Portugal John II to assign him the discovery of a new route to the Indies something that could be achieved by traveling westwards all the time. The same thing happened when he initially asked for the help of Ferdinand and Isabella, king and queen of Aragon and Castille.
Finally Columbus got help from the Spanish kings and on August 2, 1492 he set sail the three ships, the "Santa Maria", the "Pinta", and "Nina" from the Andalusian port of Palos to discover the Indies. Traveling continuously westwards he arrived on October 12 in the Antilles. The first island sighted by Columbus was called San Salvator. Today this island is identified with Watling island in the Bahamas. Columbus made three more voyages (1493, 1498, 1502) without finding the quantities of gold he had been dreaming. He died in poverty on May 20, 1506 convinced that he had reached Asia, in the West Indies.
The discovery of Columbus changed the course of humanity and enriched the world with a new continent. It has caused a revision and modernization of science and technology and brought about tremendous development in the economy of the world. My dear friend Merja gave me this lovely cover.

Saint Lucia – Contact with the New Worlds

On Aug. 4, 1992, the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia issued a set of four stamps (Scott # 993-86) on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of Ameica. They tried to make the set as relevant to St. Lucia as possible, since Columbus didn’t actually land, but possibly MIGHT have seen the island when he sailed near it in 1502. The stamps were designed by Robert Devaux, with artwork by Derek Miller. They were printed by lithography by SN Cartor SA of Australia. The designs depict:

· 15¢ – American Indians (Amerinds), who settled in coastal villages.
· 40¢ – First sighting of the island by Juan de la Cosa’s fleet in 1499. · 50¢ – Columbus’s flagship, which sailed south of Martinique in 1502 and might have seen St. Lucia in the distance.
· $5.00 – Explorer Gimie, who was ship-wrecked and rescued (on the feast of Saint Lucia, Dec. 13). Morne Gimie mountain is named after him.
Maria sent this pretty FDC.

Saint Lucia – Christopher Columbus

This FDC commemorates the 500^th Anniversary of the Discovery of Saint Lucia by the famous Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus. This cover was given to me by Maria. Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 620 km² (238 sq mi) and has an estimated population of 173,765 (2009 census). Its capital is Castries. The island nation has been the home of two Nobel laureates, Arthur Lewis and Derek Walcott. It is the nation with the second most such honorees per capita after the Faroe Islands.
St. Lucia was first settled by Arawak Indians around 200 A.D., though by 800 their culture had been superceded by that of the Caribs. These early Amerindian cultures called the island "Iouanalao" and "Hewanorra," meaning "Island of the Iguanas." The history of the island's European discovery is a bit hazy. It was long believed that Christopher Columbus had discovered St. Lucia in 1502, but recent evidence suggests that he merely sailed close by. Many Islanders still believe that it was Columbus who discovered the Island, and hence, this FDC to mark the 500^th Anniversary of that momentous occasion. An alternative discoverer is Juan de la Cosa, a lesser-known explorer who had served at one time as Christopher Columbus' navigator. There are some indications that de la Cosa may have discovered the island in 1499, although there is also evidence suggesting that he didn't find the island until 1504. In any case, there was no European presence established on the island until its settlement in the 1550s by the notorious buccaneer Francois le Clerc, a.k.a. Jambe de Bois, or Wooden Leg. Peg-Leg le Clerc set up a fine little base on Pigeon Island, from whence he issued forth to prey upon unwitting and treasure-laden Spanish galleons. Around 1600, the Dutch arrived, establishing a fortified base at Vieux Fort.