Correos honors Captain Fernando de Leyba with commemorative stamps

The Spanish postal service, Correos, has released a commemorative stamp and postmark to honor Captain Fernando de Leyba y Córdova Vizcaigaña (1734-1780). The initiative commemorates the 250th anniversary of United States independence and recognizes Leyba’s role in the Spanish contribution to the conflict.

Born in Ceuta, Leyba served in Spanish Louisiana and rose to the rank of vice-governor of Upper Louisiana. In 1780, he led the defense of St. Louis, Illinois, against a British attack, successfully maintaining a vital supply route for American independentist forces.

The philatelic release, promoted by the Ceuta Philatelic Group and the city’s Center for Military History and Culture, features artwork by Ricardo Sánchez Rodríguez. The collection includes a personalized stamp, an illustrated envelope, and a postcard depicting Leyba alongside members of the Louisiana Fixed Regiment.

To mark the occasion, two exhibitions are being held at the Center for Military History and Culture in Ceuta. One exhibition focuses on Leyba’s military career and Spanish support for American independence, while a second exhibition will feature philatelic materials related to his historical context.