1893 Columbian Exposition Complete Set

United States · 1893 · 1¢ to $5

This complete set of 16 stamps was issued to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the Americas. The designs depict various scenes from his life and voyages, from his initial appeal to Queen Isabella to the eventual landing in the New World. The set is renowned for its beautiful engravings and historical significance.

Issued for the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893, this was the first commemorative stamp series issued by the United States. It set a precedent for future commemorative issues and remains one of the most popular and collected classic US sets.