"Discovery Five Hundred" Newsletter of the International Columbian Quincentenary Alliance Volume VI, Numbers 3 and 4 THE 1992 TOUR OF THE DISCOVERY SHIPS Spain '92 and Texaco have recently announced the official schedule of the tour of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. The media covered the departure of the ships from Spain over the Columbus holiday weekend last October, and as we go to press, they are in the Caribbean. Beginning in February 1992, the caravels will make their way up the East Coast. For about seven months, through August 30, they will thrill the citizens of thirteen East Coast cities in eleven states. Spain '92, in conjunction with some of the cities, has scheduled "Festival Days", with festivities spilling over into public parks in the waterfront areas of Miami, Houston, Tampa, Norfolk, Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Other cities have been designated as "Port of Call" locations, minus the organized festival (New Orleans, St. Augustine, Charleston, Newport, RI, and Wilmington). After completing their East Coast tour at the end of August, the high point being the parade of tall ships in New York Harbor on July 4, the ships will be transported to the West Coast for three months of events that commence in San Francisco on October 2, culminating in the Columbus Day parade of tall ships there, and then move on to San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Juan de Capistrano, and San Diego. Only San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego will be "Festival Sites", with the other two cities designated as ports of call. The American tour ends on December 12 in San Diego. All together, the ships will spend 194 days in port, with 172 of them designated as "Festival Days". Here, then, is the latest itinerary of the famous replicas of the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria: (Note, all starting dates are Fridays, and all closing dates are Sundays, with the exception of St. Augustine, which has a Thursday starting date. An asterisk next to the city indicates that it is a Port of Call location only, without the accompanying festival.) EAST COAST Feb. 14 - March 1 17 days Miami March 13-22 10 days Houston March 27-29 3 days New Orleans* April 3-12 10 days Tampa April 16-19 4 days St. Augustine* April 24-26 3 days Charleston* May 1-10 10 days Norfolk May 22 - June 7 17 days Boston June 12-14 3 days Newport, RI* June 19 - July 12 24 days New York July 24 - August 9 17 days Philadelphia August 14-16 3 days Wilmington* August 21-30 10 days Baltimore WEST COAST October 2-25 24 days San Francisco October 30 - Nov. 1 3 days San Luis Obispo* November 6-29 24 days Los Angeles December 4-6 3 days San Juan de Capistrano* December 11-20 10 days San Diego HAIL COLUMBIA! (THE DISTRICT, THAT IS!) by Joseph M. Laufer In 1976, it was relatively easy to decide on the primary location for the celebration of the Bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence. Despite the fact that Boston claimed some of the honors and New York hosted the parade of tall ships on July 4th, Philadelphia was the undisputed focal point of the 1976 festivities. In 1992 the decision is a little more difficult. Should Columbus, Ohio, be the center of our attention on October 12? Or should it be all of the 22 Columbuses in the U.S.A.--a decentralized, broad based celebration? Once again, on July 4, New York will host a parade of tall ships, including, this time, the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. Thanks to mapmaker Martin Waldseemuller, Amerigo Vespucci's name is attached to this great country of ours. Despite that oversight, the next best geographic honor for Columbus is having the nation's capitol named after him. But is that enough to merit the designation "focal point of the Columbus Quincentenary?" In 1892 it was a bit easier. The World's Columbian Exposition was about to open in Chicago (dedicated in 1892; opened to the public in the Spring of 1893), so that city was, without dispute, Columbian headquarters for the U.S.A. The District of Columbia is a credit to the name of the great explorer, and for a number of reasons, should be visited by Americans eager to catch the spirit of Christopher Columbus during the Quincentenary. We would be remiss to overlook the District as an essential player in the Columbus Quincentenary-- especially this year, on the occasion of the Bicentennial of its establishment as the seat of government for the United States. It merits our attention for several reasons. Not only is it currently the site of two quite important "temporary" exhibits dealing with the Columbian Quincentenary, but it boasts of several permanent monuments to Christopher Columbus. For those who arrive in Washington, DC, via train, after admiring the beautifully refurbished interior of Union Station (with its Columbus Conference Room), the first monument to greet you in the plaza in front of the station is the imposing statue of Christopher Columbus. Dedicated in 1912, it was sponsored by the U.S. Congress and the National Council of the Knights of Columbus. The work of sculptor Laredo Taft and architect Daniel Burnham, Columbus is depicted somewhat heroically on the prow of a ship, flanked by a "traditional" Indian on one side and a contemplative European on the other. Above him, on the wings of four eagles, is a globe. Lions flank each side of the fountain, whose waters carry out the aquatic, nautical theme. A short distance away, the next very imposing Columbus monument is the famous Columbus Door of our nation's capitol. Dating to 1863, the bronze doors at the eastern entrance to the Capitol Rotunda depict events in the life of Columbus. They were designed and modeled by Randolph Rodgers in Rome in 1858 and cast in Munich in 1861 by F. von Muller. The overall door is 17 feet high and 9 feet wide and weighs 20,000 pounds. Modeled after the North Doors of the Baptistery of the Florence cathedral which represent the life of Christ, these doors consist of four panels in each valve, surmounted by a semicircular tympanum. The tympanum depicts Columbus' first landfall in the New World. The eight panels depict various scenes from Columbus' life namely: The departure from Palos; Audience at the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella; Departure from the Convent of La Rabida; Columbus before the Council of Salamanca; Columbus' first Encounter with the Indians; Triumphant entry of Columbus into Barcelona; Columbus in Chains; Death of Columbus. There are also sixteen small statues of contemporaries of Columbus: Father Juan Perez of La Rabida, Cortez, Ojeda, Amerigo Vespucci, King Henry VII of England, Beatrice of Bobadilla (who befriended Columbus in the Canary Islands), Queen Isabella, Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza (Cardinal-Archbishop of Toledo), King John II of Portugal, Charles VIII (King of France), King Ferdinand, Pope Alexander VI, Martin Alonso Pinzon, Bartholomew Columbus, Balboa, and Pizarro. Between the panels and at top and bottom of the leaves of the door, are ten projecting heads. The eight between the panels are historians who have written about the voyages of Columbus from his own time down to the time the door was fabricated. One of the last images is that of Washington Irving. The two heads at the tops of the leaves are female heads, and the two next to the floor have Indian characteristics. On the extreme edges of the doors are personifications of the continents of Asia, Europe, Africa and America, separated by symbols of navigation and conquest. At the apex of the arch is a bust of Columbus, over an eagle and flags. The doors were not always at their present central location. They were moved in 1871 and again in 1961. It was hoped that these doors would be the focal point of several ceremonies surrounding the Quincentenary. However, with the foundering of the U.S. National Columbus Jubilee Commission, the early plans never materialized. The Columbus Doors are, without doubt, one of the most impressive Columbus monuments in the world and worthy of observation by visitors to our nation's capitol. When viewed and analyzed, they tell a very detailed story about the events and people in the life of Christopher Columbus. Inside the capitol, in the rotunda, one encounters the famous painting by John Vanderlyn, "The Landing of Columbus on Guanahani, West Indies" (also known as "The Landing of Columbus on San Salvador"). One of several paintings depicting the history of America at eye level in the rotunda, it was installed in 1847. Vanderlyn acknowledged that he consulted Washington Irving's "History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus" (1828). This is perhaps the most famous of American paintings of Columbus. It was used on an 1892 commemorative postage stamp, a turn of the century circus wagon, and many souvenirs during the Columbian Exposition in 1893. It is currently available through the U.S. Capitol Historical Society on a post card. Vanderlyn is said to have visited the Caribbean in order to accurately depict the foliage in his painting, which was executed in Paris when the painter was in his sixties. In addition to these impressive permanent Columbian monuments in the District of Columbia, during 1992 visitors will be able to view the highly acclaimed "Seeds of Change" Exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History - Smithsonian Institution Evans Gallery. The exhibit runs through April 1, 1993. "Seeds of Change" emphasizes the encounter and exchange of plants, animals, and human life that occurred as a result of the Columbian voyages. It specifically looks at five "seeds" and their roles in shaping and changing history: corn (maize), the potato, disease, the horse and sugar. The other acclaimed exhibition is "Circa 1492: Art in the Age of Exploration" at the National Gallery of Art, Fourth Street at Constitution Avenue, NW. The exhibition is divided into three sections: Europe and the Mediterranean world during the time of the Renaissance; the arts in the East when Columbus made his journey to "Cathay," exploring the civilizations of Japan, Korea, China, India, and Persia; and the world that Columbus actually found, presenting the principal native cultures of the Americas before their first contacts with Spain. In 1791, as a prelude to the Tricentennial of the epic Voyage of Columbus, President George Washington set into motion the plans and legislation which created the District of Columbia. This tribute to the great navigator has been embellished by the addition of the statue of Christopher Columbus, the Columbus Doors and the Vanderlyn painting. Washington, D.C., if not the focal point of the Columbus Quincentenary in the United States, should not be missed by those who wish to experience the spirit of the Admiral of the Ocean Sea as immortalized in marble, bronze and paint, geographic designation and contemporary exhibits. Visit the District of Columbia, Gem of the Quincentenary. NEW INTERPRETATIONS OF THE COLUMBUS SIGNATURE By Joseph M. Laufer Scholars have been fascinated by the mysterious manner in which Columbus signed his name immediately after his first voyage. Up until recently, attention has been given primarily to the words represented by the letters in the signature, with a passing curiosity about the arrangement. However, two recent interpretations focus on the arrangement. As a result of these insights, I have found it convenient to classify the interpretations into three categories: the linguistic interpretation, the cartographic interpretation and the geometric interpretation. What inspired me to give renewed attention to this issue at this time was my recent discovery of a booklet written by John Mann of the Republic of Panama entitled "For God's Eyes Only" and subtitled "The Secret Pact of Christopher Columbus". His is the geometric interpretation. The cartographic interpretation can be attributed to Arne Molander, famous for his advocacy for Columbus' "northern route" to the Bahamas, with landfall at Egg Island. His geographic interpretation appeared in the Fall 1988 issue of "Encuentro" Magazine. The purpose of this article is to merely summarize the three interpretations and to show once again how century after century, Christopher Columbus inspires researchers to dissect everything about him--his origins, his motives, his landfall, his personality, his burial place, and even his signature. The Linguistic Interpretation Up until recently, the basic question about the curious Columbus cipher dealt with what words should be attached to the letters. The Columbus Encyclopedia suggests eight different meanings to the letters. The most commonly accepted wording is the Latin: "Servis Sum Altissimi Salvatoris" (Servant I am of the Most Exalted Savior), with the third line serving as an invocation to Christ, Mary and Joseph (Christus, Maria, Josephus). The final line has been interpreted as the Greek/Latin words for "Christ Bearer". A slight variation of this interpretation is "Supplex Servus Altissimi Salvatoris" (Humble Servant of the Most High Savior) or, in a more secular vein, "Sub Scrip Si; Cristobal Almirante Mayor (de las) Indias": freely translated: "Written below: Christopher, the High Admiral of the Indies." Another Spiritual interpretation is "Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus": Holy, Holy, Holy, Jesus, Mary and Joseph" or "Salva Sanctum Altissimum Sepulcrum XMI", referring to the saving of the most high Sepulchre (tomb of Christ) from the Moslems. Some have interpreted the "Y" for Isabel, the Queen. For a more detailed explanation of the linguistic interpretation, I recommend the recently published "Christopher Columbus Encyclopedia" (Simon and Schuster, 1991, pages 628-630). The Cartographic Interpretation The Columbus Encyclopedia limits itself to the linguistic interpretation, but Arne Molander came up with a rather clever interpretation which was described on pages 8 and 9 of "Encuentro" (Vol. IV, No. 3, Fall 1988). Molander attaches a certain meaning to the fact that Columbus only began using the mysterious cipher after his first voyage. He claims that the cipher should be interpreted from the viewpoint of Columbus' pride of accomplishment. He focuses more on the arrangement of the letters plus the symbols, and claims that the pyramid is actually a symbolic map expressing pride in his greatest accomplishment--the successful execution of "The Enterprise of the Indies." He claims that a vertical reading of the pyramid matches the locations and names of San Salvador (SX) in the north, Ysabela (SY to the south, and Santa Maria (SAM) in the center. Molander shows how the pyramidal arrangement corresponds to fifteenth-century maps which generally ran the East-West axis vertically rather than horizontally, as in modern maps. He claims corroboration in Columbus' bracketing of each "S" by a pair of periods, a common practice on 15th century maps of Ptolemy and Waldseemuller. As will be seen in the geometric interpretation (below), Columbus' strict instructions concerning the pyramidal structure and relationship of the letters and lines add further credence to the cartographic interpretation. The Geometric Interpretation As fascinating as Molander's interpretation is, I find John Mann's even more fascinating. Mann's theory appears in a 32-page booklet published by the Panama Historical Society in 1990 as a Quincentenary project. Mann places great importance on Columbus' instruction to his son Diego in his will, stating that his heirs continue "to sign with my signature which I now employ which is an X with an S over it and an M with a Roman A over it and over that an S and then a Greek Y with an S over it, preserving the relation of the lines and points." Thus, in addition to having over forty-five examples of Columbus' actual signature, we have his very explicit instructions as to how his heirs should arrange the letters. It appears, therefore, that Columbus placed more importance on the arrangement than on the meaning of the letters themselves. Mann takes Molander's theory a step further. He points out that the dots make no sense as punctuation. Going back to Columbus' instructions, we translate his "rayas" and "virgulas" (lines and points) in geometric terms and see that Columbus envisioned a grid framework behind his cipher or signature. His signature, therefore is his way of both concealing and revealing a secret. As Mann describes it, Columbus was making a pact with God--a very private arrangement. Read once again Columbus' very specific instructions, indicating that one start the signature with an "X"--the perfect letter to use as a reference point. Using the same logic, an "M" has a perfect center and four exact corners. The "Y" and "A" are also quite angular. Placing the dots before and after each "S" contributes to a linear arrangement also. Eliminating much of the detail in Mann's thesis, let me go to its conclusion. He notes that X, M and Y are the only letters of the alphabet with centerpoints that can serve as geometric references for angles in their upper halves. These angles, according to Mann, will serve as the foundation on which to build a matrix from which the symbol, which Columbus considered extremely important, could emanate. Verbal meaning to the letters is not important. This was how Columbus would "throw off" his contemporaries--a decoy. Mann suggest that each "S" can be interpreted as the Spanish word "saliente", i.e. a salient angle or projection. This brief summary doesn't do justice to Mann, because he illustrates his theory very graphically in his booklet. His conclusion is this. Using the letters, the six salient points and angles on a grid, Columbus devised a means of concealment for his faith. He thus contrived a "nonogram"--a design composed of two or more letters with latent purpose. He camouflaged the Star of David by a clever, daring, and arrogant contrivance. Based on the spirit of the times in Spain, Columbus, if he was a Jew in Spain, would not have had any success in promoting his theory of a shorter route to Cathay. As a foreigner from Genoa, he would not be suspect. I am not being fair to Mann by abbreviating his conclusions and other evidence for his theory. I recommend his booklet to the curious. His conclusion is worth quoting: "Columbus' true feeling, too dangerous to reveal in those troubled times and reserved for God's eyes only, remained hidden for 500 years." John Mann's pamphlet is copyright 1990 by Orilla, S.A. Mr. Mann may be contacted by writing: John Mann, P.O. Box 3661, Balboa, Ancon, Republic of Panama. Special thanks to Stephan Thompson of Pemberton, New Jersey for bringing this new theory to our attention. A ROMP THROUGH THE NCSS CONVENTION By Joseph M. Laufer The National Council for Social Studies held its annual convention in Washington, DC, just before Thanksgiving. If there were any doubts that recent Columbus bashing had killed interest in the Columbian Quincentenary, this conference confirmed the fact that Columbus is alive and well and the focal point of many positive educational activities. A look at the program and the exhibits show how broad the interest actually is. The theme of the meeting was "Visions and Voices", subtitled "The Explorer, the Artist, the Activist, the Unheard". In addition to participant tours of the Washington Quincentenary exhibitions, "Circa 1492" and "Seeds of Change", at least ten topics were Quincentenary-related, namely, "The Discovery of America: Encounter, Exchange, Effects"; "The Culture Clash: Spain's Effect on the Cultures of South America"; "Teaching About Native Americans"; "The Encounter: A Demographic Approach"; "In the Footsteps of Columbus: The Contributions of Jews of Hispanic Descent to American Life"; "Using Themes to Teach History Meaningfully: A Focus on the Columbian Voyage and its Legacies"; "Visions of Exploration: The Effects of Exploration on History and Society"; "Discovery and Exploration Before the Age of Discovery and Exploration"; and an overview of the "Columbus Scholars" project. A strong indicator of the scope of interest in the subject was seen in the exhibit area, where book publishers displayed their 1992 products. The Addison-Wesley Publishing Company was promoting its two volumes entitled "Seeds of Change", based on the research for the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution's exhibit. They distributed an attractive poster on the theme. (Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Route 128, Reading, MA 01867). The publishers of Scholastic Search distributed their September 1991 Columbus theme magazine, along with an attractive poster which portrays the world of 1492. The map places Columbus' first voyage in a multicultural, global context, showing the empires, kingdoms, and cultures of Asia, Africa and the Americas, in addition to the major nations of Europe in 1492. (Scholastic Search Magazine, 730 Broadway, New York, NY 10003). A special issue of "Social Education" (The Official Journal of the National Council for the Social Studies) was distributed (September 1991) featuring a cover story on European Cartography on the Eve of the Discoveries. (NCSS, 3501 Newark St., NW, Washington, DC 20016). The Organization of American Historians distributed the Spring 1991 issue of their magazine featuring a cover story on the Columbian Quincentenary. The issue contains 15 excellent articles on Columbus-related subjects. (Organization of American Historians, 112 North Bryan St., Bloomington, IN 47408). Eastern National Park and Monument Association featured its excellent "Days of Columbus" Educational Resource Packet (Americas National Parks, PO Box 671, Conshohocken, PA 19428). Simon and Schuster had a booth which promoted "The Christopher Columbus Encyclopedia", an excellent two-volume resource consisting of 900 pages, 350 articles, 150 contributors and 400 illustrations. (Academic Resource Division, 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023). Discovery Enterprises of Lowell, Mass., had a variety of materials, including an interesting Columbus play which has two endings, one from the Spaniards' point of view, and the other from the Native American's point of view. Students are encouraged to discuss the options and choose the ending which best appeals to them. They also produced a large Columbus coloring book with text in both English and Spanish (these items are available through the ICQA Book mart or directly from Discovery Enterprises, Ltd., Suite 210, 134 Middle St., Lowell, Mass. 01852). Rethinking Schools, an organization from Milwaukee, WI, had a publication entitled Rethinking Columbus, which is reviewed elsewhere in this newsletter. Most textbook publishers displayed at least one Columbus Quincentenary publication, and many used a Quincentennial theme of their exhibit. Newspapers in Education announced the "Exploring" theme for its 1992 activities. WGBH of Boston, which was responsible for the PBS series on Christopher Columbus which ran last October, announced that it is producing a teacher's guide and a student newspaper for use during the Quincentennial and beyond. The high school teacher's guide will accompany the rebroadcast of the PBS series "Columbus and the Age of Discovery" next fall. The 16-page student newspaper for students in grades 5-8 will be distributed by the newspaper-in-education departments of newspapers nationwide. It will include high-interest articles and activities about the cultures of Europe and the Americas; navigation and geography; the encounter, the exchange, and the legacy of Columbus; and issues of perspective in the study of history. For a definitive list (available in May) of newspapers that will run the material and for a teacher's guide (in September 1992), write to Educational Print and Outreach, Dept. CS, WGBH, 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134. Jackdaw Publications has produced an excellent primary source portfolio in conjunction with the Library of Congress entitled "First American Encounters: Columbus & the Age of Explorers". It was compiled by prominent geographer, Dr. Louis DeVorsey, Jr. from materials in the Library of Congress' vast archives. The compiler divides the portfolio into three segments: Contact Encounters, Collision Encounters and Relationship Encounters. There are 14 primary source exhibits, including Laurens Lotto's 1512 portrait of Columbus, Martin Behaim's globe gores and the first engravings by Theodore de Bry; de Jode's 1593 Map of America; the Yale Vinland Map; and Martin Waldseemuller's large map wherein he names "America". There are other primary documents along with Dr. DeVorsey's incisive essays. The portfolio sells for $27.95. (Golden Owl Publishing Co., P.O. Box AO3, Amawalk, NY 10501). Perfection Learning has produced an excellent Columbus Bulletin Board Set consisting of eight beautiful visuals which detail Columbus' discoveries, life, and impact, as well as the culture of the period. The pieces are in full color and coated for durability. A 52" timeline, "Fifty-five Years that Changed the World", a poster of the First Voyage, "Who Was Columbus" (with portraits), "The Island Arawak", "Legends and Myths", "A Sailor's Life," a map and a set of reproducible materials fill out the package. The set sells for $29.95. (Perfection Learning, 1000 North Second Ave., Logan, IA 51546). Childrens Press has produced several books on Columbus (5440 North Cumberland Ave., Chicago, IL 60656) and Lerner Publications Company (Carolrhoda Books, Inc., 241 First Ave. North, Minneapolis, MN 55401) has several unique Columbus works, including "Discovering Christopher Columbus--How History is Invented" by Kathy Pelta ($14.95), showing how Columbus' image and the meaning of what he did has changed through history. For grades 4 through 6. They have also produced other Columbus books. Upstart, a division of Freeline, Inc., 32 East Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740, a provider of display materials for libraries, has produced a variety of materials on the Columbus theme, including posters, bookmarks, bulletin board items, a counter display, discover buttons and a program guide, all under the "Discover a New World at Your Library" theme. A value kit of most of the items sells for $21.95. They also have mugs, T- shirts and sweatshirts. Columbus 500 Publications, with the assistance of a personal appearance by Christopher Columbus, promoted its three highly acclaimed activity guides (two teacher guides and one student guide). (Columbus 500 Publications, Box 1492, Medford, NJ 08055) It is no longer "whether" there will be sufficient teaching materials for the Columbus Quincentenary, but which one to choose. The ICQA has attempted to gather a variety of the best materials in its Quincentenary Product Selectory, and in each newsletter we add other items available through our one-stop shopping service. REVIEWS "Rethinking Columbus". A special issue of Rethinking Schools. Milwaukee format on newsprint. Single copies: $4.00 plus $2.00 postage. This 96-page special issue of Rethinking Schools contains at least 52 entries, most of them articles, but some poems and documents, in a challenging and thought-provoking anthology. Rethinking Schools is a non-profit, independent newspaper produced by classroom teachers and educators from the Milwaukee area. This special edition is published in collaboration with the Network of Educators on Central America, a national organization based in Washington, DC. Some of the articles in this special booklet-form issue are: * Columbus and Native Americans in the Elementary Classroom * Talking Back to Columbus: Teaching for Justice and Hope * Why I'm Not Thankful for Thanksgiving * Native American Women in the Circle of Life * Native Americans, What Not to Teach * Myths that Bind Us: Stereotypes in Children's Literature * African-Americans Should Mourn the Quincentenary * Poems by award-winning Native American Poets. The magazine/booklet also contains seven pages of resources, including an annotated bibliography and a four-page teaching guide keyed to the overall contents. The booklet opens with an interview with Suzan Shown Harjo, president and director of the Morning Star Foundation in Washington, D.C., entitled, "We Have No Reason to Celebrate an Invasion". The booklet is sprinkled with sidebars such as "Helping Young Children Critique Columbus Books". There is a page entitled: "Scalping--A Practice Dating to Ancient Greece" and one listing an Alphabet of "Things that the Americas Gave the World" (e.g. A: avocado, amaranth, asphalt; R: rubber; Z: zero, zucchini). On pages 32 and 33 there is an excellent "read aloud" children's story by Tina Thomas entitled "The Untold Story"--told from the perspective of a Taino Indian at the time of the encounter. The page on "The Iriquois Contribution to the Constitution" summarizes a 1988 Congressional Resolution which recognized the U.S. debt to the Iriquois Confederacy. There is an excellent summary of how some Spanish clergy, particularly Bartolome de las Casas, argued on behalf of the Indians on pages 82 and 83. The value of this publication is that is has gathered into one place a variety of materials dealing with the so-called "counter quincentenary". However, it presents the material in a spirit of moderation. It doesn't exhibit some of the bitterness that the more radical opponents of Columbus are guilty of, yet it is very effective in getting the message across. Because of the manner in which it is presented, it should find a wider audience and reach those who might otherwise resist this kind of material. The ICQA has added this publication to its list of Quincentenary materials available to its subscribers and readers. For a copy, send $4.00 plus $2.00 (postage/handling) to ICQA Book Mart, Box 1492, Columbus, NJ 08022. "Much Ado About Columbus". Special issue of "The World & I", December 1991. A Publication of The Washington Times Corporation, 2800 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002. 704 pages. $7.95. This special issue contains an 80-page commemorative section: "When Worlds Collide: Spain, Columbus, and the New World", consisting of articles such as "Conditions for Discovery: the Fifteenth-Century Background to Columbus" and "Columbus as a Dead White European Male: the Ideological Underpinnings of the Controversy Over 1492". There are many other articles: "The New Spain and the New Latin America"; "Spain's Democratic Transition"; and "King Juan Carlos". There is a series of articles on the theme of Columbus and Spain dealing with Music, Dance, Film, Architecture ("Barcelona: Arena of Vision"), Design, and Art. There's an article on food in Spain, and an excerpt from Dyson's "Columbus: For Gold, God and Glory". There are two excellent photo essays: "Isla Espanola: Columbus' Second Spain" and "The Columbus Lighthouse", one of the most complete current overviews of this interesting monument about the dedicated after over 50 years in the planning and construction. Individuals purchasing a copy of this special issue will also receive a Teacher's Guide (grades 11-12). For those who have never encountered "The World & I", it is a high-quality chronicle (3/4" thick), lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs. The articles are well-written by recognized experts. This particular issue is a thought-provoking collectible. Its emphasis on Spain after 500 years is especially interesting and valuable. This issue is not limited to articles about Columbus, but the Columbus material predominates--and is conveniently keyed in the Table of Contents. A blue caravel indicates articles related to the Special Section themes of Columbus and Spain. There are 30 such indicators and an equal number of articles not related to Columbus (Ordering information: 1-800-822-2822) JUBILEE JUSTICE On November 20 and 21, John N. Goudie, former head of the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission, testified before the House subcommittee on census and population. It was a sad day for those of us who had enthusiastically begun planning for the Columbus Quincentenary in the mid 1980s and looked to the National Commission, Goudie in particular, for leadership. According to the "Washington Post", Goudie was confronted with an elaborate chart showing thousands of dollars flowing among Goudie, a firm that his commission authorized to sell its logo, two business associates and members of his family. The panel also heard five telephone conversations wherein Goudie appeared to be directing the activities of the logo-licensing firm. The testimony was damaging to Goudie, recounting his attempts to have a friend play a key role in the licensing group. Goudie invoked the Fifth Amendment 32 times to avoid self- incrimination. Observers feel that Goudie will face criminal investigation for his activities. Subcommittee Chairman Thomas C. Sawyer (D-Ohio) announced at the end of the hearing that the panel would refer the case to the Justice Department for investigation. One of Goudie's excuses for his behavior was that he "didn't know the ways of Washington". In some respects, Goudie appeared to be naive during his testimony, claiming that he didn't have the money for an attorney and inquiring of the chairman about his rights. Quincentenary enthusiasts who speculated about Goudie's dedication and qualifications during his tenure appear to have had their misgivings confirmed by the evidence against him and by the manner in which he testified at the hearings. There is also continuing evidence that the Commission has not recovered from the scandal and is simply limping along as we approach the Quincentenary. There was little or no Commission activity covered by the media over the recent Columbus-day weekend, which should have been the national kickoff for the Quincentenary. The media covered the event by turning to other players in the Columbus game, ignoring the Commission completely. All major networks had Columbus Day segments on the Quincentenary, as did the major magazines and newspapers--but with little or no Commission input. The ICQA, happily, was consulted and included in most of the media coverage, including ABC's 20/20, CBS Nightly News and NBC's "A Closer Look". SHORT TAKES Prodigy on Columbus PRODIGY, the home computer service of Sears and IBM, is featuring a special Quincentenary service. Entitled "Columbus, Hero or Villain?", subscribers can access seven different menus: The Debate, Columbus Loyalists, Native Americans, Hispanics, African Americans, Jews, and PRODIGY Survey Results. ICQA's Joe Laufer is featured in the sections on Columbus Loyalists and Hispanics. The Portuguese Columbus Mascarenhas Barreto's controversial book, "The Portuguese Columbus", will be available in English in April. It will be published in England by Macmillan and in the U.S. by St. Martin's Press. The book has already caused a stir worldwide. Barreto theorizes that Columbus was a Portuguese spy who duped the Spanish into concentrating their attentions on what we now know as Latin America, while his true master, the Portuguese King could direct his own operations to the then far more lucrative routes to the East. Barreto reached his conclusions by analysing Columbus' hand-writing and exhaustive code-breaking. The ICQA Book Mart will carry Barreto's book. Rediscovered Painting A 17 by 23-inch oil painting of Columbus by Spanish artist Pedro Berruguete (1450-1504) has been discovered in Rome, according to an Associated Press report. Art historian Maurizio Marini said that the painting is the only existing portrait of the explorer done while he was alive. Berruguete was the official portrait painter at the court of Ferdinand and Isabella. The painting shows Columbus to be less portly than often portrayed, with deep-set green eyes, red hair, pronounced cheekbones and a long, aquiline nose. Columbus, The Film Of the two films about Columbus scheduled for release during the Quincentenary, reports now indicate that only one will be released to theaters--the other being made for TV only. The movie, "Christopher Columbus--The Discovery", is the $40 million film being produced by Alexander and Ilya Salkind. "El Pais", the Madrid newspaper, reported that Marlon Brando has been signed to play Grand Inquisitor Tomas de Torquemada (for $2.5 million). The Salkinds are said to be seeking Tom Selleck and Isabella Rosellini to play Ferdinand and Isabella, and Matt Dillon to play Columbus. Quincentenary Travel Two exciting ICQA Quincentenary trips are beckoning. The trip to Spain has been re-scheduled and slightly rearranged, but with no change in price. "The Columbus Trail and Expo '92" will be held from May 11 through May 19, 1992. Participants will be based at the exciting Costa Del Sol and take Columbus-related excursions to Seville for Expo '92 and to Huelva, Palos and Moguer, cities closely associated with Columbus and his enterprise. The price is $1,375 per person, double occupancy. The other trip, a cruise to Bermuda on Celebrity Cruises' M.S. Horizon from July 4-12 begins in New York Harbor during the Parade of Tall Ships commemorating the Columbus Quincentenary. For information on both these trips, contact the ICQA, Box 1492, Columbus, NJ 08022. Rose Bowl Parade Experiences Columbus Fallout The first parade of the Quincentennial year will march to the beat of an "exploration" theme--but not without controversy. Spanish aristocrat and Columbus descendant, Cristobal Colon, was scheduled to be the sole parade marshal for the Rose Parade. However, bowing to critics, officials have appointed a second grand marshal, an American Indian, Representative Ben Nighthorse Campbell (D., Colo.), the only American Indian in Congress. This is a first for the 103-year-old New Year's Day parade. Quincentennial Art Our "error-free" Spring issue featured information on The Columbus Consortium, Inc., a resource for art materials on the Columbus Quincentenary. The curse of Columbus apparently affected the printing of the telephone number of this New York organization. Otto David Sherman has asked us to correct the error, and we are happy to do so. The Columbus Consortium is a cornucopia of visual and graphic materials on all aspects of the Columbus encounter of 1492. Their contemporary art is based on classic historical illustrations and can be adapted to any production requirements ... from posters, to mugs, t-shirts, hats, folders, brochures and any other ancillary products. Write to Columbus Consortium, Inc., 404 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016. 14th floor. Telephone (212) 686-8410. Fax (212) 686-9113. Newsweek Special Issue If you haven't seen Newsweek's Columbus Special Issue (Fall/Winter 1991: $2.95), be sure to pick one up. Entitled "When World Collide--How Columbus's Voyages Transformed Both East and West", it was inspired by the Smithsonian's "Seeds of Change Exhibit". Reprint permission granted by publisher.