Frederick Edwin Church's "Niagara" Postage Stamps (Four Centuries of American Art Series, Waterfall, 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: Frederic Edwin Church’s “Niagara” 
• Series: Four Centuries Of American Art
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Fine Art, American Artists, Paintings, Landscape, Waterfall, Niagara Falls, New York State, Honeymoon
• Color(s): Multicolored, Green
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Adhesion Type: Gummed
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: The Frederic Edwin Church postage stamp was part of the Four Centuries of American Art series and features Church’s iconic painting "Niagara" (1857). The painting depicts a dramatic view of Niagara Falls, one of North America’s most powerful and awe-inspiring natural landmarks. Church captures the force and grandeur of the falls, with a focus on the cascading water, mist rising into the air, and the lush, verdant landscape surrounding the scene. The scene is bathed in light, giving the falls a glowing, almost divine quality, emphasizing the sublime beauty of nature.

Frederic Edwin Church (1826–1900) was a leading figure of the Hudson River School, known for his grand, detailed landscapes that conveyed the majestic power of nature. Niagara was one of Church’s most celebrated works and reflects the 19th-century fascination with the American wilderness and the belief that nature was a manifestation of divine power and beauty. The painting also reflects the spiritual connection between humans and nature, a central theme in the Hudson River School, which portrayed nature as a place for both reflection and awe. This stamp honors Church’s ability to convey the sublime awe of nature, capturing the spiritual and emotional impact of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and symbolizing the deep connection between humanity and the natural world.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Niagara carries profound spiritual significance rooted in themes of divine awe, the sublime, the power of nature, and human connection to the natural world. The majestic depiction of Niagara Falls, with its overwhelming force and beauty, embodies the concept of the sublime, a spiritual experience that elicits awe, wonder, and reverence. In many spiritual traditions, encounters with the vastness of nature are seen as direct experiences of the divine. Church’s painting invites viewers to reflect on the majesty of creation, encouraging humility and gratitude in the face of such beauty. For artists and thinkers of the 19th century, nature was often viewed as a manifestation of divine power and beauty. The glowing light and the turbulent water of the falls symbolize the presence of a higher power. The power and immensity of Niagara Falls represent the infinite and transcendent nature of the divine, suggesting that the natural world is not merely a physical space, but one that reveals spiritual truths. Water, especially in the form of a powerful waterfall like Niagara, is often seen in spiritual symbolism as representing transformation, cleansing, and renewal. The continuous flow of water can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual rebirth, where the rushing, unstoppable force of nature symbolizes a powerful force of change and purification that can cleanse the spirit. Church’s work, as part of the Hudson River School, represents the idea that humanity and nature are inextricably linked. By depicting nature in such a grand and awe-inspiring way, the painting calls attention to the sacredness of nature and the idea that humans are part of a much larger, divine creation. It encourages viewers to recognize and honor the spiritual dimension of the world around them. The quiet, tranquil beauty of Church’s painting invites spiritual reflection. The falls, though powerful, are portrayed in a way that allows for contemplation rather than chaos. The image encourages viewers to find moments of stillness and connection, offering a spiritual invitation to pause and appreciate the majesty of the natural world as a path to inner peace and understanding. By immortalizing Church’s painting, the stamp highlights nature’s ability to evoke deep spiritual reflection and remind us of our place in the world.

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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