SPAIN

SPAIN / ESPAÑA.

5th Centenary of the Juan de la Cosa map.
Minisheet issued on 14.07.2000.
Face value: 150 pesetas.
Printing: Photogravure.
Print: 1,500,000 copies.
Size: 163,6 x 87 mm.

Catalogues
- Edifil No. SH 3722.
- Michel No. 3555.
- StampWorld No. 3561.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 3289.

Juan de la Cosa, probably born in Santoña (Cantabria) between 1450 and 1460, was a Spanish navigator and cartographer who participated in seven of the first voyages to America. After his return from Columbus's second voyage (1493-1496) he settled in El Puerto de Santa María (Andalusia), where in 1500 he made the oldest preserved map showing the American continent, painted on two skins of parchment joined in the shape of an irregular rectangle 96 cm wide and 183 cm long. It reflects the results of the discoveries made in America during the 15th century. It is decorated with compass roses, flags, ships, cities, kings, characters from the Bible and mythological figures. Some rivers are represented and most of the place names are written in old Spanish. Juan de la Cosa died February 28, 1510 in Turbaco, north of present-day Colombia, in an armed confrontation with indigenous people, victim of a poisoned arrow.

The famous map was rediscovered in 1832 by Baron de Walckenaer, Dutch plenipotentiary minister in Paris, on the death of which, in 1853, it was auctioned and purchased by the Spanish government. Since then it has been exhibited in the Naval Museum of Madrid.