Legend of the Spanish Moss, Tampa, FL, 1957

Subjects: Fantasy & Composite Views Forests & Trees
Card type: Linen
Date: c. 1957 (Chrome)

Back of Legend of the Spanish Moss, Tampa, FL, 1957, Miss Louise Haley, VA, USA, c. 1957 linen postcard — Back

About this postcard

Two vignettes show Southern trees hung with Spanish moss beside a path and water, with flowers in the foreground. The accompanying verse tells a comic origin legend: Gorez Goz, a Spaniard, buys an Indian maid for a yard of braid and a little bar of soap. She flees up a tree and dives into a brook, while his beard snags in the branches and lives on as the dangling moss. Spanish moss is a bromeliad, not a true moss, and hangs from oaks and cypress across the South. The poem turns that familiar sight into a playful story of pursuit and escape.

Postcard Details

Message · English, in pen

Hello Louise! we are enjoying every minute of the nice warm weather. February is an ideal time for vacationing in Florida. Am convinced we will return here - Tampa is really a big city we saw a lot of it last night & hope to tour more of it tomorrow we have gone deep sea fishing today. Thelma

PublisherCurteich-Chicago

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.

PostmarkedTampa, FL, February 18, 1957, 15:30

Addressed to

Miss Louise Haley

618 Woods Ave. S.W. Roanoke, VA

Postcard record

Postmarked	February 18, 1957, 15:30, Tampa, FL
Publisher	Curteich-Chicago
Series	253F—TROPICAL FLORIDA SERIES
Condition	Good
Place addressed	Miss Louise Haley, 618 Woods Ave. S.W., Roanoke, VA
Publisher	Curteich-Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stamp	2c Thomas Jefferson, red
Notes	Linen texture visible; printed poem on front ("Legend of the Spanish Moss"); no white border. Postmark: TAMPA, FLA. FEB 18 3:30 PM 1957 (slogan cancel "HELP RETARDED CHILDREN"). Linen-era Curteich "C.T. Art-Colortone" card, Tropical Florida Series 25 2A; divided back; light edge wear.

Cite this card

Legend of the Spanish Moss, Tampa, FL, 1957, postcard, c. 1957. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/legend-of-the-spanish-moss-tampa-fl-1957. Accessed November 2, 2026.