Albert Bierstadt's "The Last of the Buffalo" Postage Stamps (Four Centuries of American Art Series, Horse, Bison, Hunting, Native American Indian) Vintage Unused USPS Postage 32c

These vintage unused postage stamps will evoke a touch of whimsy and add personality to your mailings!

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: Albert Bierstadt’s “The Last of the Buffalo”
• Series: Four Centuries Of American Art
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Fine Art, American Artists, Paintings, Native American Indian, Hunting, Horseback, Bison, American Plains, Western landscape
• Color(s): Multicolored 
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Adhesion Type: Gummed
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: This Albert Bierstadt postage stamp was part of the Four Centuries of American Art series and features his famous painting "The Last of the Buffalo" (1888). The painting depicts a dramatic scene of a Native American hunter on horseback in pursuit of a buffalo across the vast American plains. The background showcases a majestic Western landscape, a hallmark of Bierstadt’s style, with open skies and distant mountains. The work conveys a sense of movement, struggle, and the fading presence of both the buffalo and Indigenous cultures as Westward expansion continued.

Albert Bierstadt (1830–1902) was a prominent painter of the Hudson River School and the Rocky Mountain School, known for his grand, sweeping portrayals of the American West. The Last of the Buffalo was painted during a time when buffalo populations were nearly driven to extinction, making the work both a visual tribute and a lament for a disappearing way of life. The painting symbolizes the end of an era, marking the devastating effects of colonization on both nature and Native American traditions. By featuring this painting, the stamp honors Bierstadt’s ability to capture the beauty and tragedy of the American West, serving as a reflection on the passage of time, environmental destruction, and cultural loss.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Last of the Buffalo, carries deep spiritual significance related to themes of impermanence, the sacredness of nature, the struggle for survival, and the loss of a way of life. The painting captures a moment of transition, symbolizing the end of an era for both the buffalo and Native American traditions. Spiritually, this serves as a reminder of life’s fleeting nature and the necessity of honoring and preserving what is sacred before it disappears. Bierstadt’s grand depiction of the Western landscape aligns with the belief that nature is divine and worthy of reverence. Many Indigenous cultures view the buffalo as a sacred creature, essential to both physical survival and spiritual connection. The painting—and by extension, the stamp—reminds us of the interconnectedness of all living beings. The confrontation between the Native American hunter and the buffalo represents the balance between taking from the earth and respecting it. Spiritually, it speaks to the ethical responsibility humans have toward nature, echoing themes found in many spiritual traditions that emphasize stewardship and balance. The buffalo’s near extinction, alongside the displacement of Indigenous peoples, represents deep cultural and spiritual loss. However, in many spiritual traditions, endings lead to new beginnings, renewal, and remembrance. The painting immortalizes what was once abundant, urging future generations to reflect on what has been lost and how to move forward with greater respect for the natural world. Bierstadt’s sweeping portrayal of the West evokes a sense of the sublime, where nature is seen as a cathedral, a place of spiritual reflection and awe. His light-filled landscapes suggest the presence of the divine, reinforcing the idea that the natural world is a space for meditation, renewal, and connection with something greater than oneself. By immortalizing The Last of the Buffalo on a postage stamp, the USPS not only honors Bierstadt’s artistry but also invites reflection on the spiritual cost of progress, the sacredness of nature, and the importance of remembering and respecting what came before.

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 STAMP: This postage stamp has 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).

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 the adequate amount of postage to achieve standard postage rates according to the weight of your mailing. Check current postage rates at USPS.com.

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