29c First Voyage of Christopher Columbus Approaching Land stamp

The US Postal Service and the Italian Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications jointly issued a block of four commemorative stamps on April 24, 1992, to honor the historic first voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492.

The 29-cent US stamps feature the words "First Voyage of Christopher Columbus" at the top with a description underneath —"Seeking Queen Isabella's Support," "Crossing The Atlantic," "Approaching Land," and "Coming Ashore." The designs depict Columbus meeting with Queen Isabella; his boats, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, crossing the Atlantic Ocean; three sailors looking toward the horizon as they approach landfall; and members of the expedition coming ashore and encountering a group of natives. The four 500-lira Italian stamps feature the same design as the US stamps, with the exception of the denomination and the wording in Italian.

Arlington, Virginia, artist Richard Schlecht produced all four designs. The stamps were printed on the offset/intaglio press by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and issued in panes of forty.

Reference:
Postal Bulletin (April, 2, 1992).

Scott Catalogue USA: 2622
mint

Copyright United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.

Museum ID: 2008.2007.97