John James Audubon's "Long-billed Curlew" Postage Stamps (Four Centuries of American Art Series, Wetland Bird) 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: John James Audubon’s “Long-billed Curlew"
• Series: Four Centuries Of American Art
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Fine Art, American Artists, Paintings, Nature, Birds, Wetland Marsh, Everglades, Florida
• 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: This postage stamp featuring John James Audubon’s painting Long-billed Curlew (c 1827-1838) is part of the Four Centuries of American Art series. The stamp showcases full-body illustrations of the Long-billed Curlew, a large shorebird with a distinctive, curved beak. Audubon captured the birds in a dynamic pose, with their slender legs and long bill extending outwards, giving the viewer a sense of movement. The birds stand against a simple yet naturalistic background of grass and reeds, reflecting its habitat along the coastal marshes and prairies of North America.

John James Audubon (1785–1851) was a French-born American naturalist, ornithologist, and painter best known for his monumental work, The Birds of America. Immigrating to the United States as a child, Audubon became fascinated with nature, especially birds, and dedicated his life to studying and illustrating North American wildlife. His artistic talent, combined with his meticulous attention to scientific detail, led him to create life-sized illustrations of birds in their natural habitats. Audubon’s work is celebrated not only for its aesthetic beauty but also for its scientific accuracy, helping to shape the field of ornithology and raising awareness about the rich diversity of American wildlife. His contributions remain a cornerstone in the fields of both art and natural history. The Long-billed Curlew is one of many birds he captured, reflecting his deep interest in both art and natural history. Audubon’s work played a key role in advancing the study of North American wildlife and birds, serving both as artistic representation and scientific documentation. His contributions helped shape the understanding of avian species in the United States.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Long-billed Curlew carries spiritual significance in several profound ways, particularly through its depiction of the bird as a symbol of nature’s divine beauty and the interconnectedness of all life. The Long-billed Curlew, like many of Audubon’s bird subjects, represents a sacred connection to the natural world. The delicate lines of the bird’s form, its poised stance, and its natural habitat reflect the divine order present in nature. Audubon’s intricate rendering suggests that all creatures, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, hold intrinsic value and a place in the greater spiritual harmony of the earth. Birds, especially those like the Long-billed Curlew, are often symbolic of spiritual freedom and transcendence, representing the ability to rise above worldly concerns and connect with higher realms of existence. The bird’s graceful flight and the expansiveness of its habitat speak to the freedom of the soul, offering a metaphor for spiritual liberation and the journey toward enlightenment.

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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