Frances and Will Brundage designed this calendar in 1892, exactly 400 years after the voyage of Columbus, still the predominant official date of the discovery of America. The year 1492 is also a year when the Middle Ages ended and the New Ages began.
Of course, they had to design a calendar in advance, so the presented vintage calendar is made for 1893 but it's completely the same as a calendar for 2023, 2034, 2045, 2051, 2062, 2073, 2079, 2090, ...
So, if you want, you can print it down and enjoy Brundages' work on all these occasions from the time-planning point of view too!
The idea of this calendar is simple. Scenes, related to the Columbus landing and initial exploring are portrayed in a naive, non-too-related-to-history, yet cute way, suitable for children. Each month has a different scene and each scene is titled. Together a whole story is created.
Of course, they had to design a calendar in advance, so the presented vintage calendar is made for 1893 but it's completely the same as a calendar for 2023, 2034, 2045, 2051, 2062, 2073, 2079, 2090, ...
So, if you want, you can print it down and enjoy Brundages' work on all these occasions from the time-planning point of view too!
The idea of this calendar is simple. Scenes, related to the Columbus landing and initial exploring are portrayed in a naive, non-too-related-to-history, yet cute way, suitable for children. Each month has a different scene and each scene is titled. Together a whole story is created.
The Departure
For Columbus, the departure was the hardest part. He was asking for money to start the expedition for years. Finally, the Spanish king decided to support him hoping to find the way to India across the sea.
Of course, nobody knew that there was another continent on the way. However, the discovery of America proved to be not only a great investment but actually brought spectacular returns. Half of the continent today, way over five centuries later, speaks Spanish.
For Columbus, the departure was the hardest part. He was asking for money to start the expedition for years. Finally, the Spanish king decided to support him hoping to find the way to India across the sea.
Of course, nobody knew that there was another continent on the way. However, the discovery of America proved to be not only a great investment but actually brought spectacular returns. Half of the continent today, way over five centuries later, speaks Spanish.
Terror of the Seamen
Oceans are full of dangers and pirates are still on the list today, almost a century and a half later. Brundages decided to include them because kids love to play pirates. not because they are cruel but for the romantic aspect of a seemingly free life.
Oceans are full of dangers and pirates are still on the list today, almost a century and a half later. Brundages decided to include them because kids love to play pirates. not because they are cruel but for the romantic aspect of a seemingly free life.
The Mutiny
All kinds of problems arise on so long and dangerous voyages and the possibility of mutiny was no exception. Presented as a child's play such a game can strengthen the characters of involved children who are forced to take sides, overcome challenges, and express their values.
All kinds of problems arise on so long and dangerous voyages and the possibility of mutiny was no exception. Presented as a child's play such a game can strengthen the characters of involved children who are forced to take sides, overcome challenges, and express their values.
Sighting Land
Finally, the land can be seen! This must be India!
Columbus made three voyages to America yet never stepped on the continent. He only came to the islands East of America and he believed he discovered the sea way to India. Those lands were for many decades called West India, even when it was obvious, that this was not India, and the explorers came to a completely new continent that was never before marked on the maps of the so-called Old World.
Finally, the land can be seen! This must be India!
Columbus made three voyages to America yet never stepped on the continent. He only came to the islands East of America and he believed he discovered the sea way to India. Those lands were for many decades called West India, even when it was obvious, that this was not India, and the explorers came to a completely new continent that was never before marked on the maps of the so-called Old World.
The Natives Astonished
When somebody discovers something new, the surprise and astonishment can go both ways. Europeans discovered Native Americans and Native Americans discovered Europeans. Only that Europeans called them Indians and Native Americans didn't really care.
When somebody discovers something new, the surprise and astonishment can go both ways. Europeans discovered Native Americans and Native Americans discovered Europeans. Only that Europeans called them Indians and Native Americans didn't really care.
Planting the Flag
The most important aspect of the expeditions was conquering new territories. Europe had a very developed financial system in the 15th century (for centuries!) and it was very important to know who owns what. Native Americans, on the other way, cared mostly about finding food and shelter in nature which was very rich and uncorrupted then.
Well, that changed soon enough.
The most important aspect of the expeditions was conquering new territories. Europe had a very developed financial system in the 15th century (for centuries!) and it was very important to know who owns what. Native Americans, on the other way, cared mostly about finding food and shelter in nature which was very rich and uncorrupted then.
Well, that changed soon enough.
Presenting Gifts
Europeans with their developed manufacturies were able to produce a lot of shiny toys to charm the Native Indians with it. A lot of European stuff, although unuseful and cheap looked precious to Native Americans who, on the other side, had a lot of gold.
The trading started almost immediately and we all know who made the most of the profit.
Europeans with their developed manufacturies were able to produce a lot of shiny toys to charm the Native Indians with it. A lot of European stuff, although unuseful and cheap looked precious to Native Americans who, on the other side, had a lot of gold.
The trading started almost immediately and we all know who made the most of the profit.
A Friendly War Dance
War dances served as intros for wars all over the world since before the first civilizations started to develop. Dance is closely connected with releasing different hormones that control human behavior. Dance can help you to become more optimistic and overcome fear.
Children love to dance from their first steps and it seems most of people keep that affection right to the end of their lives.
War dances served as intros for wars all over the world since before the first civilizations started to develop. Dance is closely connected with releasing different hormones that control human behavior. Dance can help you to become more optimistic and overcome fear.
Children love to dance from their first steps and it seems most of people keep that affection right to the end of their lives.
Bidding Farewell to the Natives
The only way to report about the success of the expedition was to return and tell the king about the discovery in person. Mobiles and other communication tools were pretty underdeveloped in those days.
So Columbus and his crew farewell and Native Americans were free again. Not for long.
The only way to report about the success of the expedition was to return and tell the king about the discovery in person. Mobiles and other communication tools were pretty underdeveloped in those days.
So Columbus and his crew farewell and Native Americans were free again. Not for long.
Home Again
Columbus returned to Europe with huge news. The seaway to India was finally discovered. It is dangerous but not as dangerous as the overland route. And it was much faster and cheaper too. Spanish king should be very happy.
Columbus returned to Europe with huge news. The seaway to India was finally discovered. It is dangerous but not as dangerous as the overland route. And it was much faster and cheaper too. Spanish king should be very happy.
Presented at Court
Even the Spanish king, who paid for the voyage, didn't expect too much from Columbus so he offered him a very generous deal in advance. Now, when the sailor returned, it was too late for the additional negotiations.
Yet, the king can always negotiate. As history shows, Columbus and the Spanish king found enough common ground to throw another expedition to West India. And another after that. Columbus died as a very rich man.
Even the Spanish king, who paid for the voyage, didn't expect too much from Columbus so he offered him a very generous deal in advance. Now, when the sailor returned, it was too late for the additional negotiations.
Yet, the king can always negotiate. As history shows, Columbus and the Spanish king found enough common ground to throw another expedition to West India. And another after that. Columbus died as a very rich man.
This calendar was published by Raphael Tuck & Sons in 1892 as a twelve-sheet ephemera with dimensions 5 times 6 inches for each page. Each page presented one month and the January page served as the cover too. As you can see, only half of the pages are printed in full color, the rest are done in one color only. Printing in full color was in those days still much pricier than printing in black and white (or, in our case, in different shades of green or brown).