X5102

La Florida

Naming of Florida, 500th Anniversary

White and Purple Morning Glories

Ernest Hemingway

Collins Cover Announcement 

Florida

Key West

At the end of the Florida Keys that extend from the southern tip of the state is the unique and historic island community of Key West. In my look at the interesting unfolding of Florida, this fascinating town had several elements that were perfect for my visual telling of the historic tale of the state's storied past. Spanish treasure, a famous author, the landmark lighthouse, and the magnetic lure of the beautiful Keys themselves make this a truly magnificent individually hand painted cachet.

American author and journalist Ernest Hemingway had a permanent residence in Key West. He published seven novels, six short story collections, and two non-fiction works during his lifetime. A Farewell to Arms, The Sun Also Rises. For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea are among his most famous works. He became a lover of polydactyl (having extra toes) cats after being given one by a ship captain. Today his home and museum house about fifty descendants of his original pets and today polydactyls are often referred to as "Hemingway  Cats". Both the Nobel-winning author and his unusual feline companion are shown in this cachet.

Mel Fisher spent decades hunting for sunken treasure in and around the Florida Keys. On July 20, 1985 he discovered the wreck of the Spanish Galleon "Nuestra Senora de Atocha" and recovered about forty tons of gold and silver including 114,000 silver "pieces of eight" coins, gold coins. 1000 silver ingots, and gold and silver artifacts as well as Colombian emeralds which are among the finest in the world. A treasure chest is featured on the cover.

The original Key West Lighthouse was completed in 1825, but it was destroyed by the "Great Havana Hurricane" of 1846. Its replacement was built in 1849 with a twenty-foot tower extension rnaking the light about 100 feet above sea level. It appears on this beautiful cover amid flowering blooms and tropical plants. The entire design is crowned with a final touch — a Key West Gulf of Mexico sunset.

Just as a final personal note, some years ago Linda and I drove out to Key West while visiting Florida. We toured the Hemingway House and petted the polydactyl cats, climbed the old lighthouse, and visited Mel Fisher's Maritime Heritage Museum. Thus this cover evokes special memories which also include Audubon's former home; chickens roaming loose as reminders of early Cuban influence; the origin of U.S. Route 1; and the wonderful beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. La Florida's Key West First Day Cover is now available. Collins #X5102 at $14.00.