1989 America's Issue Combination Cover

U.S. #C121 and 2426

1989 America’s Issue Combination Cover

Issue Date: October 12, 1989
First City: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Printed by:  American Bank Note Company
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforation: 11

Color: Multicolored

This Fleetwood First Day Cover features the commemorative and airmail stamps from the Pre-Columbian America Issue.  Members of the Postal Union of the Americas and Spain (PUAS) issued America Series stamps that honored the customs, images, and traditions of native Americans who inhabited the area before Columbus arrived. These stamps were both designed by Lon Busch.

The airmail stamp in the America Series (1989) features a carved wooden figure that was excavated in 1896 in Key Marco, Florida. Known as the “Key Marco Cat,” it’s a ceremonial figure of the Calusa culture, which thrived during the pre-Columbian Mississippian period.

This issue honors the Native Americans who existed prior to Columbus' arrival in the New World. The carved figure on the stamp is from the Mimbres, a Southwest Indian culture.