Gene Jarvis: Wild Vanilla

Artist: Gene Jarvis
1921 - 1990
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1978
Image Size: 9.5 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 12.75 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Pen and Ink on Hot Press Illustration Board

Wild Vanilla, a tropical climbing orchid, is one of the Seychelles loveliest native flowers. By means of aerial roots, this plant anchors itself as it gradually crawls up the tree, log, or trellis supporting it. Though the distinctive flowers of this climbing plant last only one day, a Wild Vanilla's flowering period may extend up to two months and each vine may bear up to one thousand blossoms during this time. With its distinctive blossoms, the Wild Vanilla is indeed a tropical beauty. However, this tropical plant of gorgeous flower is perhaps best loved for the Vanilla flavoring extracted from its pods. Through an exacting process, the pods are dipped in boiling water and then slowly dried for six long weeks. If they are properly cured, the pods will show visible crystals of vanillin on their surfaces at the end of this time. This popular flavoring, used in confections, perfumes, and tobaccos, first attracted the attention of the Western World in 1520 when a Spanish conquistador observed the Aztec chieftain, Montezuma drinking a delicious chocolate drink flavored with ground vanilla pods. The Spanish greatly enjoyed this drink they discovered in the New World, and they took Vanilla back to Europe with them in hopes of growing their own supply. However, all attempts to grow the plant failed and for over three centuries, Mexico was the sole supplier of raw Vanilla. Finally, a Belgian botanist discovered a method of hand pollination that caused the Wild Vanilla to produce the flavoring.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Seychelles 20¢ Wild Vanilla stamp issued February 6, 1978.

Artwork Copyright © 1978 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB05436

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