Columbus Announcing His Discovery

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NITED STATES OFA 1492 CHICAGO 1992 ER CA FIFT MAY 15 22 1992 15 60607 OLUMB US ANN OUNCINC•HIS•DISCOVERY

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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 I.A. Suschenko after Ricardo Balaca y Orejas Canseco. Iteetwood