Franz Kline's "Mahoning" Postage Stamps (Four Centuries of American Art Series, Abstract, 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: Franz Kline’s “Mahoning”
• Series: Four Centuries Of American Art
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Fine Art, American Artists, Paintings, Modern Art, Abstract Expressionism, Industrial, Taoism
• Color(s): Multicolored, Black and White
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Adhesion Type: Gummed
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: This Franz Kline postage stamp features the painting "Mahoning" (1956) as part of the Four Centuries of American Art series. Mahoning is a striking example of Abstract Expressionism, characterized by bold, gestural black brushstrokes over a white background. The painting’s dynamic, almost architectural composition consists of thick, overlapping black lines that create a sense of movement, tension, and raw energy. Kline used black and white exclusively in many of his works, emphasizing contrasts, structure, and emotion through form rather than color. The brushstrokes appear spontaneous but are actually carefully considered, revealing a sense of controlled chaos and an exploration of space and depth.

Franz Kline (1910–1962) was a key figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, alongside artists like Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. His style, often categorized as "Action Painting," was heavily influenced by calligraphy, industrial structures, and the energy of modern life. Mahoning (named after a region in Pennsylvania) reflects Kline’s fascination with urban landscapes, industrial forms, and the expressive power of abstraction. Unlike traditional representational art, his work invites the viewer to engage with the painting’s raw energy and emotional impact rather than searching for a literal subject. The stamp celebrates Kline’s contribution to American modern art, highlighting the power of gesture, movement, and abstraction as a means of expressing human emotion and experience.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Franz Kline’s Mahoning carries profound spiritual significance, rooted in themes of energy, duality, spontaneity, and transcendence. Mahoning is a work of Abstract Expressionism, a movement that sought to express deep emotions and the subconscious through raw, gestural brushstrokes. Spiritually, this aligns with the idea that true understanding and transformation come not from rigid structures, but from embracing the fluidity and spontaneity of life. The stark contrast between bold black brushstrokes and the white background reflects the spiritual duality of existence—light and darkness, chaos and order, movement and stillness. This echoes Eastern philosophies like Taoism, where opposing forces complement each other in an eternal dance of balance and flow. Kline’s seemingly chaotic strokes are actually carefully composed, hinting at the hidden structure beneath life’s disorder. Spiritually, this suggests that even in moments of chaos and uncertainty, there is an underlying divine order guiding the universe. The dynamic, sweeping brushstrokes symbolize action and movement, while the negative space (white areas) represents emptiness and stillness. This interplay mirrors the concept of mindfulness, where one learns to embrace both movement and quiet reflection, understanding that both are necessary for spiritual growth. Abstract art, by rejecting literal representation, invites the viewer to transcend the physical world and engage with pure energy and emotion. In this way, Mahoning becomes a spiritual meditation, encouraging viewers to connect with their own inner emotions, intuition, and the infinite possibilities of interpretation. The Mahoning stamp represents the spiritual journey of surrendering to the unknown, embracing balance, and finding meaning beyond form. It serves as a reminder that life, like art, is not always about clarity but about the raw, energetic flow of existence and the beauty within it.

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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