France 2287
 

     In 1992 France issued a stamp in its "Europa" series to commemorate the discovery of the western hemisphere by Christopher Columbus. The date given on the stamp is 1493, the year of Columbus' second voyage. The map on the stamp is of the Lesser Antilles, and the route is that of the second voyage as well.
     Although it is unexpected that the second voyage would be singled out for the discovery of the western hemisphere that may be a choice rather than an error. However, the island identified as St. Martin is either Redonda or Nevis, not St. Martin which is some 70 miles further north.
     The stamp was withdrawn from sale on January 15,1993