V2001

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo

Explorer of the West Coast of North America

Collins Cover Announcement 

JUAN RODRIGUEZ CABRILLO

This stamp honoring the California explorer was issued four hundred, fifty years after he landed in San Diego Bay. My hand painted cachet shows Cabrillo and his other conquistadors as they come ashore and ascend a steep hill at water's edge. This is a marvelous cachet and dramatically reflects the bold Spanish explorations along our West coast. Prominently featured is Cabrillo as he surveys the natural splendor from the crest of the hill on September 28, 1542. He is an imposing figure indeed. One hand rests on a hip and the other on the hilt of his long sword. Bearded and helmeted, he is a colorful figure further dressed in breastplate armor, long boots, and a colorful flaired shirt. The other spanish soldiers in his company are similarly attired. Their ship is anchored in the Bay below and the full composition gives a nice presentation of this important time in our history.

The postmark has a nice related theme as it is from Westtown, NY. It should be noted that all of the cancels on this Collins issue are quite faint but definitely readable. A very nice historic FDC from the age of exploration. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. Item #V2001. $10.75.