Fragrant Water Lily Postage Stamps (American Wildflower Series, Botanical, Flower, Wedding, White) Vintage Unused USPS Postage 29c

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

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: Fragrant Water Lily
• Series: American Wildflower
• Year Issued: 1992
• Face Value: 29 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Botanical, Flowers, Wildflowers, Nature, Watercolor
• Color(s): White, Black, Multicolored 
• Printing Method: Offset Lithography
• Adhesion Type: Gummed (see adhesion instructions below)
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: This 29c Fragrant Water Lily postage stamp was issued on July 24, 1992, as part of the “American Wildflower" commemorative series, a pane featuring 50 different native American flowers. Coinciding with the AmeriFlora '92 International Floral and Garden Exposition in Columbus, Ohio, the stamp highlights the Fragrant Water Lily, a plant (Nymphaea odorata) found in shallow waters across North America. The design is a watercolor painting by Alaskan artist Karen Mallary, who both selected and illustrated the flowers in the series.

The Fragrant Water Lily is a showy, aquatic perennial wildflower known for its large, fragrant blossoms and distinctive floating leaves, often called lily pads. Native to eastern North America, it thrives in quiet freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. The flowers are typically white but can sometimes be pink or yellow. They are cup-shaped, contain numerous petals surrounding a yellow center, and are highly fragrant, which is reflected in the botanical name odorata. Each blossom opens in the morning and closes by the afternoon or on cloudy days, a diurnal rhythm that adds to its appeal. Fragrant Water Lilies grow in water ranging from a few inches to seven feet deep and prefer mucky or silty lake and pond bottoms. The lily pads provide important habitat and shelter for small fish, frogs, and insects, protecting them from predators and the sun's heat.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: In ancient Egyptian and Asian cultures, water lilies often symbolize creation, purity, rebirth, and enlightenment, in part due to their cycle of emerging from dark mud to bloom in the light. The flower's botanical genus name, Nymphaea, is a nod to the mythological Greek water nymphs. In spiritual traditions like Buddhism and Hinduism, the water lily's journey from the muddy bottom of a pond to a pristine bloom on the surface is a powerful metaphor for the soul's path to enlightenment. It symbolizes overcoming adversity and achieving purity and clarity amidst the "murky waters" of life's struggles. The flower's diurnal habit of closing at night and reopening with the morning sun is seen in many cultures as a symbol of resurrection and the constant cycle of life and renewal. On a personal level, the water lily represents new beginnings and the promise of a fresh start, making it a popular choice for ceremonies celebrating new chapters, such as weddings and baptisms.

SERIES HISTORY: The 1992 American Wildflower postage stamp series was a commemorative issue featuring a pane of 50 different 29-cent stamps, with each stamp displaying a unique watercolor illustration of a native U.S. wildflower. The series was released on July 24, 1992, in Columbus, Ohio, to coincide with the AmeriFlora '92 international exposition. Alaska-based watercolor artist Karen Mallary designed the artwork and selected the 50 distinct flowers featured in the collection, with at least one stamp/flower representing each of the 50 states. The U.S. Postal Service described the 1992 American Wildflower series as carrying a message of "natural grace and beauty". In dedicating the pane of 50 different stamps, Assistant Postmaster General Gordon Morison stated they would "blanket the postal landscape" and carry the message that "our nation's wildflowers add natural grace and beauty to our lives". 

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).

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.

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… 

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 special touch to your invitations, announcements, and special mailings. In addition to creating pre-arranged postage sets, Jennifer also works with couples (and their stationers) to create one-of-a-kind custom postage arrangements for wedding invitations, save the dates, and other special occasions.