US #2626
1992 Seeking Royal Support
- Issued to celebrate 500th anniversary of first voyage of Columbus to New World
- Created with same dies as original Columbian stamps
- Part of a four-way joint issue
Category of Stamp: Commemorative
Set: 1992 Columbian souvenir sheets
Value: 85¢
First Day of Issue: May 22, 1992
First Day City(s): Chicago, Illinois
Quantity Issued: 2,000,000
Printed by: American Back Note Company – LA
Printing Method/Format: Offset Lithography and Intaglio
Perforations: 10.5
Reason the stamp was issued: This souvenir sheet is part of a set of six issued to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage to the New World.
About the stamp design: Three Columbian stamps are featured on this sheet named Seeking Royal Support. The 5¢ stamp shows the Columbus Soliciting Aid from Isabella (the original stamp is #234). The 30¢ stamp pictures Columbus at La Rabida, where he met with ship owner Martin Alonso Pinzon (from stamp #233). The two became partners, and Pinzon commanded the Pinta. Lastly, the 50¢ stamp features the recall of Columbus (original stamp - #240). After failing to secure funding from Spain for his first voyage, Columbus was convinced to appeal one more time. This time, the Spanish Royal Court granted his request. The background image on the sheet is based on a 19th-century painting titled Columbus at the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. It was the inspiration for the 5¢ stamp, as well.
The Columbian stamps issued in 1893 were America’s first commemoratives. They became favorites among collectors. The USPS used the die from the originals stamps to create the modern versions. The sixteen denominations were issued as six souvenir sheets.
Special design details: In order to make changes to the stamp images without altering the original dies, special transfers were made. The original date, 1893, was replaced with 1992. Flaws in the original dies that resulted from their age were repaired in the duplicates.
About the printing process: Ink colors were chosen for the stamps to reflect the colors of the original Columbian stamps. The images on the border of the sheets were produced using dark colors so the focus remained on the stamps rather than being distracted by the accompanying images. The stamp images were printed using intaglio engraving, and the background images were produced using offset lithography.
First Day City: The dedication ceremony for the Columbian souvenir sheets took place on opening day of World Columbian Stamp Expo 92. Joint issue sheets from Italy, Portugal, and Spain were also dedicated at the ceremony.
Unusual thing about this stamp: The six souvenir sheets were sold as a set by the US Postal Service. Originally, they were only available at the Expo or through mail order from the Philatelic Sales Division. Later, the USPS announced the sheets would be sold at local post offices.
More fun facts: This set was a joint issue with Italy, where Columbus was born, Portugal, whose flag he sailed under, and Spain, where Columbus received financial backing from the monarchs.
About the Columbian Souvenir Sheets: This set was issued to mark the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s first voyage, the 100th anniversary of the original Columbian stamps, and world Columbian Stamp Expo 92. The six sheets contain all 16 denominations of the Columbian commemoratives. Five sheets have three stamps each, while the $5 stamp has its own sheet.
History the stamp represents: In 1893, the World’s Columbian Exposition was held in Chicago. It commemorated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus sailing to the New World on his first voyage. A set of 16 stamps were issued to commemorate the expo. They highlighted scenes from his journeys and his return to Europe. These stamps became favorites among stamp collectors, though few people were able to afford the entire set of 16. In anticipation of the 500th anniversary, the USPS decided to reissue those beloved stamps using the same denominations.