Additional information
| Catalog Number | 238 |
|---|---|
| Condition | F, no gum |
| Denomination | 15c |
| Paper | soft paper |
| Printer | American Bank Note Co. |
| First Issued | January 2, 1893 |
| Cancel | uncanceled |
| Catalog Value | 200.00 |
238 15c Columbian 1892, Columbus Announcing his Discovery
$60.00
The Columbian Issue, often known as simply the Columbians, is a set of 16 postage stamps issued by the United States to commemorate the World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago during 1893. The finely-engraved stamps were the first commemorative stamps issued by the United States, depicting various events during the career of Christopher Columbus and are presently much valued by collectors.
“Columbus Announcing His Discovery” depicts his return to court from his first voyage. The original painting by Ricardo Baloca y Cancico is lost and is believed to have been destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. Originally intended to pay postage for international registered letters, the change in the registered mail fee left this stamp with fewer direct uses. Although it would pay the cost for a triple-rate international letter, it was most commonly used in combination with other stamps to meet more expensive heavyweight charges.
