Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" Postage Stamps (Four Centuries of American Art Series, Diner, Date, Coffee, Wedding) 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: Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks"
• Series: Four Centuries Of American Art
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Fine Art, American Artists, Paintings, Realism, Urban Living, Diner, Coffee Shop
• 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 Edward Hopper postage stamp features the iconic painting "Nighthawks" (1942). This work is one of Edward Hopper’s most celebrated pieces, known for its exploration of solitude, isolation, and the quiet tension of modern life. The painting depicts a late-night diner scene, with three figures sitting at the counter under the harsh, artificial light of a brightly lit diner. A man and a woman sit together, while the other figure is alone, all separated by physical and emotional distance. The empty street visible through the large glass windows adds to the sense of isolation, emphasizing the loneliness of the individuals despite their physical proximity. The stark, high contrast lighting, with shadows and strong artificial light, creates a sense of detachment and quiet tension. The figures are caught in stillness, evoking a feeling of disconnection and loneliness in an otherwise busy world. The urban setting is stripped of warmth and intimacy, and the sharp lines and angles of the diner, along with the sense of emptiness beyond the windows, heighten the feeling of alienation.

Edward Hopper (1882–1967) was an American realist painter known for his striking use of light and shadow to capture the emotional isolation and inner lives of his subjects. Nighthawks reflects Hopper’s fascination with modern American life, particularly the themes of solitude and alienation in a bustling, impersonal urban environment. The painting was created during a time of great social and political change in the U.S., with the country in the midst of World War II. Hopper’s work often reflected the emotional undercurrent of uncertainty and distance in modern life. Nighthawks remains one of the most recognizable images in American art, often associated with themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human experience in the urban landscape. This stamp honors Hopper’s ability to convey the emotional depths of modern life, encapsulating the isolation and tension that many individuals feel in the rapidly changing world around them.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Nighthawks carries deep spiritual significance tied to loneliness, introspection, human connection, and existential reflection. Nighthawks portrays individuals in quiet isolation, even though they are sitting together in a diner. This reflects a universal spiritual truth: despite being surrounded by others, people can still feel alone. This loneliness can be seen as a call for deeper self-awareness, reflection, and the search for meaning beyond the physical world. The scene’s hushed, dreamlike quality suggests a space of contemplation, much like a moment of meditation or prayer. The painting’s figures are caught in a moment of quiet existence, inviting viewers to reflect on their own place in the world and the passage of time. The stark contrast between the brightly lit diner and the dark, empty streets symbolizes the dual nature of life: light and shadow, hope and despair, presence and absence. Spiritually, this contrast can represent the search for light in moments of darkness, whether that light is found in human connection, faith, or personal introspection. The large glass windows that separate the inside from the outside world act as a metaphor for spiritual and emotional barriers—people are present but disconnected. This suggests a longing for connection and a reminder that, despite isolation, humans are inherently social and spiritual beings seeking deeper bonds. The painting captures a moment frozen in time, much like how the soul exists beyond the fleeting nature of life. It suggests a spiritual stillness, where one can pause, observe, and reflect on one’s journey before continuing forward. The Nighthawks stamp, by featuring Hopper’s masterpiece, invites contemplation on solitude, the search for meaning, and the interplay of light and darkness in the human experience. It subtly reminds us that in moments of isolation, there is also an opportunity for spiritual growth, inner peace, and the quiet pursuit of connection—whether with others, ourselves, or the divine.

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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