X5101

La Florida

Naming of Florida, 500th Anniversary

Red and Pink Hibiscus

Juan de Ponce de Leon

Collins Cover Announcement 

Florida

Five hundred years of history in a five-cover series

of incredible individually hand painted cachets.

When the new La Florida stamps were issued, I was struck by their appealing beauty. Each is a lovely floral rendition and, when viewed together as a block of four, they are spectacular. From the moment I saw them it was a foregone conclusion that the Collins First Day Covers for this issue would be something very special. Drawing from the history of the Sunshine State over the last five centuries, the watercolored cachets in this set will be among the finest First Day Covers in your collection. And once sold out, you can be sure that these gems — both individually and as a set — will be sought by many collectors.

Overview

It is important that you know the scope of this five-cover set so that you can begin with the first one if being complete is important to you. The series begins with Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon as he lands in Florida five hundred years ago. Another cachet depicts the famous Seminole Chief Osceola.

• and I must tell you that the portrait of this dignified Native American is a true work of art. A third cachet captures the essence of Florida's most unique city — Key West. Ernest Hemingway is joined by one of his many famous six-toed cats, and the collage-style artwork also features a chest of Spanish treasure and the Key West Lighthouse at sunset. The exciting journey of man into space unfolded at Florida's Cape Canaveral (later renamed Kennedy Space Center), and this part of the state's history is told via an exciting rocket launch that will capture the imaoination of almost every cover collector. And the fifth cachet will convey the magic of Florida's various theme parks that act as fun- nets attracting thousands upon thousands of visitors to this wonderful Kate year after year. These First Day Covers are postmarked in our oldest city — Saint Augustine — and they will add a lovely and historical touch to your Collins collection

Ponce de Leon

This Spanish explorer was born in 1474 and served as a volunteer on the second Columbus voyage in 1493. In the early 1500s, de Leon made several trips to the Caribbean Islands, especially Puerto Rico. In March of 1513 he led an exploratory expedition of three ships to the northwest. On April 2nd they sighted a large land mass, and on the morning of April 3rd they came ashore to inspect and take possession of the new territory. Ponce de Leon named it La Florida because of its floral and verdant landscape and also because it was the Easter season which the Spaniards called Pascua Florida (Festival of Flowers).

My hand painted cachet shows the famous explorer in his colorful military uniform including the distinctive helmet. He holds his sword as he overlooks several beautiful flowers while he claims the new land for Spain. It is interesting to note that the First Day of issue for this stamp is April 3, 2013, exactly five hundred years to the day from the morning shown on this cachet. La Florida — Collins number X5101 — $14.00.