Thomas Moran's "Cliffs of Green River" Postage Stamps (Four Centuries of American Art Series, Wyoming, Neutral, 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: Thomas Moran’s “Cliffs of Green River"
• Series: Four Centuries Of American Art
• Year Issued: 1998
• Face Value: 32 cents each (USD)
• Topic(s): Fine Art, American Artists, Paintings, Romanticism, Landscape, River, Boating, Canoeing 
• 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 Thomas Moran’s painting Cliffs of Green River (1874) was part of the Four Centuries of American Art series. This stamp showcases Moran’s breathtaking view of the Green River, with towering cliffs and rugged terrain that characterize the American West. The composition is filled with dramatic geological formations and the sense of vast, untouched nature. The river cuts through the landscape, creating a dynamic sense of movement in the otherwise still, monumental setting. The painting features rich, earthy tones like browns, yellows, and oranges for the cliffs, contrasted with cooler blue and green hues in the river and sky, enhancing the grandeur and scale of the scene. The use of light and shadow highlights the dramatic features of the cliffs, giving the landscape a sense of depth and majesty. Cliffs of Green River exemplifies Moran’s skill in capturing the awe-inspiring landscapes of the American West. His work helped bring attention to the vast, rugged wilderness that was often unfamiliar to the general public, making his landscapes essential in the movement to preserve the natural beauty of the American frontier. Cliffs of Green River not only honors the artist’s technical brilliance but also his role in shaping America’s cultural and environmental history, highlighting the importance of preserving the stunning natural landscapes of the West.

Thomas Moran (1837–1926) was an English-born American painter renowned for his breathtaking landscape paintings of the American West. Immigrating to the U.S. as a child, he trained as an illustrator and studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Moran's work, heavily influenced by Romanticism, often focused on the dramatic beauty of natural landscapes, particularly in Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Canyon, and the Green River. His vivid, monumental depictions of the American wilderness played a significant role in promoting the conservation movement and the establishment of national parks. Moran's legacy endures as one of the most influential landscape artists in American history.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: Cliffs of Green River holds spiritual significance through its depiction of nature as both a source of awe and a symbol of the sublime. Moran’s painting captures the majestic beauty and vastness of the American wilderness, evoking a sense of connection to something greater than oneself. The grand scale of the landscape and the dramatic play of light and shadow on the cliffs represent the sublime—a Romantic concept that links beauty and awe to the divine. The painting invites viewers to contemplate the mystery and power of the natural world, often perceived as a reflection of spiritual transcendence. Moran's work reflects the spiritual dimension of nature. The vast, untouched wilderness of the Green River cliffs symbolizes the sacredness of the earth, inviting the viewer to pause and reflect on their place in the world. Nature, in this sense, can be seen as a source of both solace and inspiration, encouraging a deeper spiritual connection with the environment. The stamp, and Moran's painting more broadly, also speaks to the spiritual responsibility of preserving nature. By capturing the grandeur of these landscapes, Moran helped raise awareness of the need to protect such places, fostering a sense of reverence for the land. This aligns with spiritual principles of stewardship, emphasizing the need to safeguard the planet for future generations.

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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