Chile 1862 Christopher Columbus Issue

Chile · 1862 · 1c, 5c, 20c

This set features a portrait of Christopher Columbus, the first stamps from Chile to depict a person other than a national hero. The stamps were engraved and printed by Perkins, Bacon & Co. in London. The three denominations, 1 centavo (orange), 5 centavos (red), and 20 centavos (green), served various postal rates of the period.

Issued in 1862, these stamps represent Chile's developing postal system and its connection to global trade and communication during the mid-19th century. The choice of Columbus reflects a broader Latin American identification with European exploration.