These vintage unused postage stamps will evoke a touch of whimsy and add personality to your mailings! Includes a total of TEN (10) of the 32-cent unused vintage George Caleb Bingham “Boatmen on the Missouri" postage stamps shown in photos.

COMPLEMENTARY VINTAGE AMERICAN ART STAMPS:

Winslow Homer's "The Fog Warning" Postage Stamps | Four Centuries of American Art Series | Vintage Unused USPS Postage 32c | Pack of 10

Frederic Edwin Church's "Niagara" Postage Stamps | Four Centuries of American Art Series | Vintage Unused USPS Postage 32c | Pack of 10

Thomas Moran's "Cliffs of Green River" Postage Stamps | Four Centuries of American Art Series | Vintage Unused USPS Postage 32c | Pack of 10

John James Audubon's "Long-billed Curlew" Postage Stamps | Four Centuries of American Art Series | Vintage Unused USPS Postage 32c | Pack of 10

Asher B. Durand's "Kindred Spirits" Postage Stamps | Four Centuries of American Art Series | Vintage Unused USPS Postage 32c | Pack of 10

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: George Caleb Bingham’s “Boatmen on the Missouri"
• Series: Four Centuries Of American Art
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Fine Art, American Artists, Paintings, Realism, Boating, River Landscape
• Color(s): Multicolored, Beige, Neutral
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Adhesion Type: Gummed (see below for adhesion instructions)
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

GENUINE USPS POSTAGE: These unused vintage postage stamps are perfectly valid for use as current postage for mailing with USPS as long as you use an adequate amount of additional postage to achieve standard postage rates according to the weight of your mailing. Check current postage rates on the USPS website.

STAMP HISTORY: This postage stamp featuring George Caleb Bingham’s painting Boatmen on the Missouri (c. 1846) celebrates one of the most iconic works of American art from the 19th Century. The painting captures the spirit of American frontier life along the Missouri River, reflecting both the daily struggles and the intimate relationship between the people and the land. The stamp showcases a group of boatmen, who are portrayed navigating a river with their flatboat, a common mode of transportation during the time. The figures, dressed in simple, rugged clothes, row along the river with determination. In the background, the expansive Missouri River and the distant hills emphasize the vastness of the American landscape. The stamp highlights the earthy tones of the river and boatmen’s clothing, with contrasts of soft blues and grays in the sky and water, giving the scene a tranquil yet purposeful tone. The subtle use of light and shadow adds depth to the scene, emphasizing the importance of the boatmen's hard labor and connection to the river.

George Caleb Bingham (1811–1879) was an American painter, politician, and printmaker known for his depictions of life along the Missouri River and the American frontier. Born in Virginia, Bingham moved to Missouri, where he became famous for his realistic portrayals of frontier life, including the iconic paintings Boatmen on the Missouri and Fur Traders Descending the Missouri. His works often captured scenes of river transport, trade, and rural life, reflecting the daily struggles and labor of people in the American West. Bingham’s realist style emphasized the humanity of his subjects, portraying them with dignity and strength. He also served as a politician in Missouri during the Civil War and was involved in state affairs. Bingham's work remains significant for its documentation of American history, particularly life on the frontier and the expansion of the United States.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Boatmen on the Missouri is part of a series of paintings by Bingham that depicted life along the Missouri River, which was a vital transportation route during the westward expansion of the United States. The painting captures the challenges and the gritty reality of river travel during the 19th century, when flatboats were used to carry goods and people up and down the river. The painting is a celebration of American life on the frontier, depicting hardworking, resourceful individuals navigating one of the country’s most important rivers. It emphasizes the human connection to nature, as well as the perseverance and independence required to live in such a challenging environment. Bingham’s use of realism focuses on ordinary people and their labor, emphasizing the human experience in a vast and often unforgiving landscape. The boatmen are depicted with dignity and strength, underscoring the importance of their work in the larger context of American expansion and development. Boatmen on the Missouri serves as a reminder of the historical significance of the Missouri River and the people who shaped American history through their determination, providing a window into the rugged and pioneering spirit of the American frontier.

SERIES HISTORY: The Four Centuries of American Art postage stamp series was issued by the United States Postal Service (USPS) on August 27, 1998 in Santa Clara, California, as a pane of 20 commemorative stamps, each with a face value of 32-cents, celebrating the rich history of American visual arts. The purpose of this landmark USPS release, celebrating 20 iconic works from colonial portraiture to modern Pop Art, was to honor the diversity and innovation of American artists across four centuries. This series showcases notable paintings and sculptures from the 17th through the 20th centuries, reflecting the evolution of artistic expression in the United States. Each stamp in this collection depicts a masterpiece from a different time period, spanning from the colonial era to modern American art. The selection includes portraits, landscapes, historical depictions, and abstract works, representing a wide range of artistic styles and movements. This series showcases the diversity of American art across different eras and styles, includes both traditional and avant-garde pieces, reflecting shifts in American society, and serves as a lasting teaching tool to introduce the public to significant American artists.

GUMMED STAMPS: These postage stamps have a traditional moisture-activated gum on the back. These stamps require licking or wetting to adhere to envelopes or other surfaces. To ensure good adhesion, apply vintage gummed stamps to your mailings with a glue stick (we recommend using Elmer's "Re-Stick" glue sticks).

PROCESSING & SHIPPING: Orders are typically processed and shipped within 1-3 business days of placing your order. All orders are shipped from California — please allow additional time for transit.

QUESTIONS? We love hearing from our customers and replies to inquires are usually answered the same day. Need more of this stamp? Looking for a particular stamp not found on our website? Want a curated postage set for your special event? Contact us with questions about vintage postage stamps and our services…

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TELL YOUR STORY IN STAMPS: We’ve worked with hundreds of couples and their stationers to custom design highly stylized personalized postage sets based on our customer’s life stories. We can help you curate personalized vintage postage sets to commemorate your save-the-date, wedding, shower, announcement, and other special occasions in a truly unique fashion. Drawing on our encyclopedic knowledge of every stamp ever issued by the USPS, and sourcing from our extensive inventory of collectable unused vintage stamps, we’ll help you tell your unique story in stamps!

ABOUT HERITAGE POST HOUSE: Jennifer Kramer is the founder of Heritage Post House, a boutique vintage postage house located in Northern California. Jennifer sources the most beautiful unused vintage postage stamps ever issued by USPS and artfully arranges them into curated postage sets that are sure to add a speci