New stamp celebrates 500 years of La Florida

The United States Postal Service announced to Historic City News that St Augustine will be the official first-day-of-issue post office for four new La Florida stamps; issued to commemorate the Ponce de Leon landing on April 3, 1513. The Forever stamps will be unveiled at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College on April 3.

The postage stamp unveiling will occur at 12:30 p.m. with doors opening at 11:45 a.m. The event is open to the public and will be presided over by Secretary of State Ken Detzner. US Senator Bill Nelson is expected to attend.

“The four stamps in the series contain a cascade of blossoms that evoke the feeling of a tropical garden,” a postal service spokesperson told Historic City News. “Each stamp shows a particular variety of flower: red and pink hibiscus; yellow cannas; morning glories in white, red, and shades of purple; and white and purple passionflowers.”

Ethel Kessler designed the La Florida stamp. Artist Steve Buchanan, who drew each bloom in exquisite detail, wanted the stamps to evoke a tropical feel with an abundance of flowers native to Florida.

He chose flowers of different sizes and colors that had separate personalities but harmonized as a group, much like a garden.

Guests will have the opportunity to purchase first-day-of-issue “La Florida” stamps after the ceremony in the auditorium lobby. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.