Portugal 1898 Vasco da Gama’s discovery of the route to India
In the late 19th century, Portugal issued three justly celebrated sets. In 1894 came a set celebrating Henry the Navigator; as featured in Stamp Collector back in 2019. In 1895, they commemorated the 700th anniversary of the birth of St Anthony; Portugal’s patron saint. This article will look at the third set, from 1898, commemorating the 400th anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s discovery of the route to India.
The discovery was almost as momentous as Columbus’ landing in America six years earlier. It opened the sea-lanes to India, providing a direct link between Europe and Asia. And en route, it enabled Portugal to create the first maritime empire.
The St Anthony set had fifteen values with a top value of
