Celebrate Columbus Day with Stamps Commemorating His Famous Voyages

Columbus Day is next Monday, October 9, and the retail ads have already started. Why not commemorate the day with a truly meaningful purchase? County Stamp Center offers the U.S. Voyages of Columbus, a special 1992 issue of 6 souvenir sheets commemorating Christopher Columbus' voyages to America. This issue features the 1893 Columbian stamp designs, slightly modified, and is printed from plates made from the original dies.

Sold in the original envelope, all sheets are in mint condition, never hinged. Scott catalogue value is $29.35, but you can purchase it from County Stamp Center for only $23.00, and shipping is free on this item. (Click the post title to order.) An excellent investment, the U.S. souvenir sheets and all special showcased joint issues of these sheets from Portugal, Spain and Italy are currently selling at or above catalogue. County Stamp Center is also offering the Spain joint issue at a special price.

Columbus first sailed to the Americas in 1492, landing in the Caribbean. It was not until his third voyage in 1498 that he actually reached the American mainland. While other European explorers reached America first, Columbus is credited with opening the Americas to European exploration and colonization, according to an article posted on Wikipedia. Ironically, Columbus died believing his journeys had been along the east coast of Asia and never realized he had traveled to a new continent.

In the United States, Christopher Columbus was revered for his heroism, bravery and faith and became a legendary symbol of American ingenuity and can-do attitude. Hero worship reached its zenith around 1892, the 400th anniversary of his first arrival in the Americas. Monuments were erected including the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, and cities, towns and streets were named for him. His accomplishments were honored and feted in the United States, Latin America, Spain and Italy. It was not until more recently, particularly with the rediscovery in 2005 of documents in the Spanish archives, that his cruelty during his governorship in the Americas was brought to light, tainting his image. For most Americans, Christopher Columbus remains an iconic symbol of America's beginnings.

Visit the County Stamp Center website for more details on the historic Voyages of Columbus stamp issue and view numerous other stamps commemorating Christopher Columbus. Come to County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs.