The 1893 Columbian Issue was a groundbreaking moment in U.S. postal history, marking the nation's first foray into commemorative stamps. The series of 16 stamps was designed to build excitement and national pride for the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. The two-cent denomination, depicting "The Landing of Columbus," was based on a painting by John Vanderlyn that hangs in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Over one billion of these stamps were printed, making it the most accessible stamp of the series and a tangible piece of the fair for people across the country. The exposition itself was a spectacle of grand neoclassical buildings, known as the "White City," and showcased innovations in technology, arts, and culture, leaving a lasting impact on Chicago's architecture and American optimism.