About the 1893 Columbian Series

The Columbian stamps were produced to promote the World’s Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World’s Fair), which was held in Chicago, Illinois, from May 1 to October 30, 1893.  The exposition was a world’s fair celebrating the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the New World.  The Columbians were the first US stamps ever issued to promote a commercial event and the first American commemoratives. Today, the stamps in the Columbian series are among the most treasured of all U.S. stamps.

Columbus in Sight of Land

This is the first stamp of the Columbian series. The illustration shows Columbus sighting land. However, history tells us that a sailor on the Pinta was actually the first person to sight land on Columbus’ maiden voyage.

Landing of Columbus

This stamp shows Columbus coming ashore at Guanahani (San Salvador) in the West Indies. He claimed the land in the name of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. And so certain was Columbus that he was in India, he called the natives “Indians.”

Flagship of Columbus

The Santa Maria was the flagship of Columbus. It was the largest vessel in his small fleet (measuring 117 feet in length as opposed to the 50-foot length of the Nina and the Pinta), and it was the one on which Columbus sailed.

Fleet of Columbus

Columbus set forth on his journey with three ships, and each one played a significant part in the story of Columbus’ discovery. It was from the Pinta that land was first sighted. While exploring the islands, the flagship Santa Maria was run aground in strong winds and was totally disabled. Forced to sail on the Nina, Columbus feared he would never make it back to Spain because of severe weather. He wrote down the story of his discovery and threw it over the side. He was determined that the world would know his story even if he died before reaching Spain!

Columbus Soliciting Aid of Isabella

This stamp shows Columbus before the queen – seeking support for his grand plans to sail across the Atlantic Ocean. The king and queen did eventually support him. However, they first had Columbus investigated by a special committee, and this investigation delayed his maiden voyage for four years!

Columbus Welcomed at Barcelona

Upon his return to Spain, Columbus was instructed to go to Barcelona where the court of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella was sitting. When he entered, the king and queen arose and bestowed many honors and privileges upon him. This shocked the court, because such honors were meant only for royalty. And many believed Columbus to be an ordinary seeker of fortune.

Columbus Restored to Favor

When Columbus returned to the New World the second time, he began to set up new colonies. He ruled with a firm hand, and he punished those who did not obey his requests. Many of his own men objected to his harsh ways. Columbus was ordered to return to Spain. He was quickly forgiven, however, because the king and queen were anxious to send him on another voyage.

Columbus Presenting Natives

Columbus wanted to prove to those in Spain that he had reached a new land. In order to do that, he forcibly removed some natives from the Bahaman Islands and took them back to Spain with him. Although he had established a fragile friendship, that relationship was quickly ended. The natives compared Columbus and his men to the cannibals who raided their islands and kidnapped their people!

Columbus Announcing His Discovery

When Columbus was summoned to Barcelona to tell the King and Queen what he had found during his voyage, they were impressed. They did not want Portugal to launch their own ships and discover lands that could belong to Spain. They immediately made plans to send Columbus on another voyage.

Columbus at La Rabida

In his search for a patron to finance his first voyage, Columbus went to La Rabida, where he met a ship owner named Martin Alonso Pinson. Pinson was very supportive of Columbus and his wish to sail west across the ocean. The two men became partners, and ultimately, Pinzon was the commander of the Pinta during Columbus’ maiden voyage.

Recall of Columbus

In 1490, Columbus had still failed to secure funding for his journey to the New World.  Just before setting out to attempt to persuade the French Royal Court to sponsor him, the monks of La Rabida convinced him to appeal to the Spanish monarchs one more time.  Father Juan Pérez, a former confessor to Queen Isabella of Spain, succeeded in having Columbus recalled to the Spanish Royal Court to plead his case once more.  This time, his request was granted.

Isabella Pledging Her Jewels

When Isabella first heard of Columbus’ plans, she was not very receptive. She turned the entire matter over to her Court’s Royal Treasurer. Finally, at his insistence, she provided a subsidy that was combined with support from private sources. However, contrary to popular belief, she never donated her jewels.

Columbus in Chains

Columbus’ inability to govern men, led to rebellious colonists in the New World. When the King and Queen sent a representative to govern there, Columbus absolutely refused to subject himself to the governings of the new arrival. He was arrested, shackled, and returned to Spain in disgrace.

Columbus Describing Third Voyage

This stamp honors the third of four voyages Columbus ultimately made to the New World. During this particular voyage, Columbus led seventeen ships and 1,200 men. It resulted in the exploration of Puerto Rico.

Isabella and Columbus

This issue commemorates both Columbus and Queen Isabella. He is remembered for his daring discoveries, and she, for her generous support. Without it, Columbus’ voyage may never have been possible.

Columbus

This $5 stamp in the Columbian Series has a central design that was taken from a medal struck in Madrid. The Treasury Department made a cast, from which both the stamp and the 50¢ Columbian Commemorative Half Dollar were made. As a result, this image of Columbus is the one most associated with the 1893 World’s Fair. Unlike the medal, the $5 stamp features the figures of Liberty on Columbus’ left and America on his right.