0882, 1712 UNITED STATES (New York) - Montauk Point Lighthouse

0882 UNITED STATES (New York) - Montauk Point Lighthouse (1)

Posted on 30.11.2013, and 02.07.2015
Located in Montauk Point State Park, at the easternmost point of Long Island, in the hamlet of Montauk, on Turtle Hill, Montauk Light was the first lighthouse in New York State. In nowadays is the fourth-oldest active lighthouse in the United States, and also one of the only 11th lighthouses in the country designated a National Historic Landmark. Its construction was authorized in 1792 and completed in 1796, being also the first public works project of the United States. In 1860 the lighthouse station underwent a massive renovation when two new levels and a larger lantern were added. This increased the height of the tower from its original 80 feet (1796) to its current height of 110' 6".

1712 UNITED STATES (New York) - Montauk Point Lighthouse (2)

In addition, the current keeper's dwelling was constructed adjacent to the tower, and the original 1796 dwelling demolished. A steam-powered fog signal was installed in 1873, with a fog signal building in 1897. The tower was originally all white, its single brown stripe being added in 1899. In 1940 the lighthouse was electrified, and.during WWII, it was taken over by the U.S. Army as part of the Eastern Coastal Defense Shield. Adjacent to the lighthouse, Camp Hero was opened by the Army in 1942 and was heavily fortified with huge guns during the war. Pirate Captain Kidd was said to have buried treasure at the foot of the lighthouse site around 1699 at two ponds which today are called "Money Ponds."

About the stamps
On the postcard 0882

The first stamp, depicting Spicebush Swallowtail, is the third from a set depicting butterflies, for use on large-size non-machinable greeting cards, about which I wrote here. The stamp art was created on a computer, using images of preserved butterflies as a starting point. Nationally known artist Tom Engeman worked with art director Derry Noyes on this design.

Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) is a common black swallowtail butterfly found in North America. It has two subspecies, Papilio troilus troilus and Papilio troilus ilioneus. Both as caterpillars and adults, Spicebush swallowtails hide from their predators in plain sight. They do this by mimicking other animals and even inedible objects. When very young, the brown and white caterpillar resembles a bird dropping. The caterpillar later morphs into what looks like a small green snake, with yellow and black markings that resemble a snake’s eyes and a false forked tongue. The butterfly’s chrysalis mimics a dried brown leaf, complete with veins.

 

The second is part of the series Bonsai, issued on January 23, 2012, which contain five Forever stamps. The word "bonsai" (Japanese for “plant in a pot”) refers to the art of cultivating plants - usually trees - in trays, pots, or other containers. One of the common styles of bonsai is shown on each of these five stamps. 
• Sierra Juniper / Juniperus occidentalis - It's on the postcard 2292
• Black Pine / Pinus thunbergii - It's on the postcard 2292
• Trident Maple / Acer buergerianum
• Azalea / Tsutsusi - It's on the postcard 0882
• Banyan

On the postcard 1712
The first two stamp are part of the series A Flag for All Seasons,about which I wrote here. The last is part of the series Modern Art in America: 1913-1931, about which I wrote here. 
  
References
Montauk Point Light - Wikipedia
The American Philatelic Society - Official website

Sender 0882, 1712: Denise (direct swap)
Sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 25.11.2013
Sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 29.01.2014