1893 Columbian Exposition Commemorative Series

United States · 1893 · 1¢ to $5

This set of 16 stamps commemorates the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the Americas. Issued for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, each stamp depicts a different scene from Columbus's life and voyages, from his initial pleas for funding to his landing in the New World. The designs were based on famous paintings and engravings of the era.

The Columbian Exposition series was the first commemorative stamp set issued by the United States, setting a precedent for future issues and sparking widespread public interest in stamp collecting.