Legend of the Spanish Moss poem, Orlando, FL, 1953

Subjects: Comics & Humor Forests & Trees
Card type: Linen
Date: c. 1953 (Chrome)

Back of Legend of the Spanish Moss poem, Orlando, FL, 1953, Miss Cathy Suter, PA, USA, c. 1953 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

The card sets the printed poem "Legend of the Spanish Moss" beside views of gray-green Spanish moss hanging from Southern trees. The verses tell a comic origin story: Gorez Goz, a Spaniard who comes to America, pursues an Indian maid, snags his beard in a tree, and leaves his whiskers behind as the dangling moss. Spanish moss is not a true moss but a bromeliad that grows in long strands through the southeastern United States and tropical Americas, a familiar sight in Florida.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pen

2-8-53 Hi Sweetie how are all to day we had rain last night I am sending you one of Floridas delicacies you can take it to school for luck. Get some palm seed keep them & we will plant them I leave Wed for Miami love & kisses Grandpa S.

PublisherCurt Teich & Co.

Legend of the Spanish Moss A villain there was named Gorez Goz Who journeyed here from Spain. The natives feared him much because His heart was set on a gain. Gorez espied an Indian maid Who filled his fondest hope. He bought her for a yard of braid And a little bar of soap. The Indian maid was sore afraid And fled this bearded brute. She sped o'er hill and field and glade With Gorez in pursuit. At last the maiden climbed a tree; The Spaniard did the same. The lass was bent on being free; Gorez desired his claim! She balanced on a slender limb Then dove into the brook. She much preferred a morning swim To this bearded Spanish crook. The troubles of Gorez begin His naughty plans are queered, He snags the whiskers of his chin The branches hold his beard. The Indian maiden thus is free Gorez's life is a loss, But his beard lives on for you to see As dangling Spanish Moss! T. S. Y.

PostmarkedOrlando, FL

Addressed to

Miss Cathy Suter

729 Liberty Allentown, PA

Postcard record

Postmarked	Orlando, FL
Publisher	Curt Teich & Co.
Series	253-F—TROPICAL FLORIDA SERIES
Condition	Very good
Place addressed	Miss Cathy Suter, 729 Liberty, Allentown, PA
Stamp	2c John Adams, red, perforated on all sides
Stamp	2c John Adams, issued 1938
Notes	Linen-textured stock; no white border; printed poem and illustrations fill the card. Postmark: ORLANDO FLA FEB 12 (no year in cancel); slogan cancel "NEW HOPE FOR HEARTS / SUPPORT / THE HEART FUND". 1950s linen-era C.T. Art-Colortone card; message dated 2-8-53; printed legend poem "Legend of the Spanish Moss," initialed T. S. Y.; light edge wear, stamp slightly torn at right.

Cite this card

Legend of the Spanish Moss poem, Orlando, FL, 1953, postcard, c. 1953. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/legend-of-the-spanish-moss-poem-orlando-fl-1953. Accessed November 2, 2026.