George Caleb Bingham's "Boatmen on the Missouri" Postage Stamps (Four Centuries of American Art Series, Neutral, Boating) 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: George Caleb Bingham’s “Boatmen on the Missouri"
• Series: Four Centuries Of American Art
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Fine Art, American Artists, Paintings, Realism, Landscape, Boating, Rafting, River
• Color(s): Multicolored, Beige, Neutral 
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Adhesion Type: Gummed
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: This postage stamp featuring George Caleb Bingham’s painting Boatmen on the Missouri (c. 1846) celebrates one of the most iconic works of American art from the 19th Century. The painting captures the spirit of American frontier life along the Missouri River, reflecting both the daily struggles and the intimate relationship between the people and the land. The stamp showcases a group of boatmen, who are portrayed navigating a river with their flatboat, a common mode of transportation during the time. The figures, dressed in simple, rugged clothes, row along the river with determination. In the background, the expansive Missouri River and the distant hills emphasize the vastness of the American landscape. The stamp highlights the earthy tones of the river and boatmen’s clothing, with contrasts of soft blues and grays in the sky and water, giving the scene a tranquil yet purposeful tone. The subtle use of light and shadow adds depth to the scene, emphasizing the importance of the boatmen's hard labor and connection to the river.

George Caleb Bingham (1811–1879) was an American painter, politician, and printmaker known for his depictions of life along the Missouri River and the American frontier. Born in Virginia, Bingham moved to Missouri, where he became famous for his realistic portrayals of frontier life, including the iconic paintings Boatmen on the Missouri and Fur Traders Descending the Missouri. His works often captured scenes of river transport, trade, and rural life, reflecting the daily struggles and labor of people in the American West. Bingham’s realist style emphasized the humanity of his subjects, portraying them with dignity and strength. He also served as a politician in Missouri during the Civil War and was involved in state affairs. Bingham's work remains significant for its documentation of American history, particularly life on the frontier and the expansion of the United States.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Boatmen on the Missouri is part of a series of paintings by Bingham that depicted life along the Missouri River, which was a vital transportation route during the westward expansion of the United States. The painting captures the challenges and the gritty reality of river travel during the 19th century, when flatboats were used to carry goods and people up and down the river. The painting is a celebration of American life on the frontier, depicting hardworking, resourceful individuals navigating one of the country’s most important rivers. It emphasizes the human connection to nature, as well as the perseverance and independence required to live in such a challenging environment. Bingham’s use of realism focuses on ordinary people and their labor, emphasizing the human experience in a vast and often unforgiving landscape. The boatmen are depicted with dignity and strength, underscoring the importance of their work in the larger context of American expansion and development. Boatmen on the Missouri serves as a reminder of the historical significance of the Missouri River and the people who shaped American history through their determination, providing a window into the rugged and pioneering spirit of the American frontier.

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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