Alaskan Brown Bear Stamps (North American Wildlife Series, Grizzly, Kodiak, Multicolored) Vintage Unused USPS Postage 22c

Add rugged flair to your letters with these beautiful vintage unused North American Wildlife Series "Alaskan Brown Bear" postage stamps! This classic wildlife design is perfect for adding a touch of nature’s splendor to your save-the-dates, wedding invitations, thank you cards, shower invites, birth announcements, and other snail mail correspondence. In pristine mint condition and valid for current postage use, each stamp holds a face value of 22-cents. These USPS postage stamps are suitable for current mailing when used with the total required postage based on the weight of your mailing. Embrace the call of the wild with this captivating postage stamp!

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: Alaskan Brown Bear
• Series: North American Wildlife
• Year Issued: 1987
• Face Value: 22-cents (USD) per stamp
• Topics and Themes: Wildlife, Nature, Bear, Grizzly Bear, Kodiak Bear, Alaska, Autumn, Fall Colors, Memphis Grizzlies
• Color(s): Brown, Red, Yellow, Green, Multicolored
• Mailing Occasions: Wedding Invitations, Save the Date Announcements, Shower Invitations, Thank You Cards, Snail Mail, and more
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Scott Number: 2310
• Adhesion Type: Gummed (see below for adhesion instructions)
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP DESCRIPTION & HISTORY: Part of the North American Wildlife series, this vintage postage stamp depicts an Alaskan Brown Bear, one of the largest bear species in the world. The stamp’s artwork showcases the bear in a natural setting, standing near a river or stream, highlighting its connection to salmon-rich waters. The powerful size, thick fur, and strong claws of the bear are visually emphasized. This unused 22-cent gummed stamp celebrates the North American continent's rich biodiversity, showcasing this species in its typical environment, emphasizing the importance of habitat in wildlife conservation. 

The Alaskan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), also called the Kodiak Bear (if referring to the population on Kodiak Island), is one of the largest land carnivores in the world. It is a subspecies of the Grizzly Bear, found primarily in coastal Alaska. Unlike inland Grizzlies, Alaskan Brown Bears grow larger due to abundant food sources. Found in Alaska’s coastal regions, particularly near rivers and streams rich with salmon, the Alaskan Brown Bear hibernate in winter, relying on stored fat for survival. Brown bears are known for their strong maternal instincts, with mothers fiercely protecting their cubs.

The Brown Bear (Grizzly/Kodiak Bear) is a popular mascot for sports teams, businesses, and institutions. The University of California, Berkeley are known as the Cal Golden Bears and use a bear mascot, "Oski the Bear”, to represent strength, intelligence, and resilience. “Monte the Grizzly” is the mascot of the University of Montana Grizzlies football team, symbolizing ferocity and endurance. “Bruno the Bear” is the official mascot of Brown University, emphasizing tradition and strength. The Memphis Grizzlies, a National Basketball Association (NBA) have a Grizzly Bear mascot that represents tenacity and toughness on the basketball court. The brown bear is also used on wildlife conservation logos, especially in Alaska, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Alaskan Brown Bear holds deep spiritual and symbolic meaning across cultures, especially in Native American, Indigenous Alaskan, and Siberian traditions. The sheer size and dominance of the brown bear symbolize raw power, courage, and physical strength. Spiritually, it encourages inner strength, resilience, and overcoming obstacles. As a solitary creature for much of the year, the bear represents deep thought, reflection, and self-awareness. Its hibernation cycle symbolizes rest, renewal, and inner growth. Mother bears are incredibly protective of their cubs, representing fierce maternal love, guidance, and protection. Many cultures view the bear as a guardian spirit that watches over families and communities. Bears are closely tied to the land, forests, and rivers, symbolizing harmony with nature. Some Native traditions see the bear as a healer, connected to the use of medicinal plants and spiritual healing. Many warriors and leaders have taken the bear as a symbol of bravery and authority. In Native American totems, the bear is often a spirit guide for those destined for leadership.

STAMP SERIES HISTORY: On June 13, 1987, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued the North American Wildlife postage stamp series, a commemorative sheet featuring 50 different gummed 22-cent stamps. This release celebrated the rich diversity of North American fauna, showcasing species from various regions, including Alaska and Hawaii. Renowned wildlife artist Chuck Ripper illustrated the series, capturing the essence of each species with remarkable accuracy and detail. The stamps not only highlight the animals but also incorporate elements of their natural habitats, emphasizing the importance of environmental conservation. USPS and The Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) originally hoped to represent the State Animal of all 50 states. However, many states do not have a State Animal or share a State Animal with another state. Instead, USPS and CSAC opted to include avifauna, mammals, amphibians, and invertebrates from across the continent. Notably, the First Day of Issue ceremony took place at the Canadian Philatelic Exhibition (CAPEX) in Toronto, Canada, marking the third time a U.S. stamp issue had its inaugural event outside the United States. The North American Wildlife stamp series remains a favorite among collectors and nature enthusiasts, serving as a vivid reminder of the continent's rich and varied wildlife heritage.

GUMMED STAMPS: These postage stamps have 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 additional postage to achieve standard postage rates according to the weight of your mailing. Check current postage rates at USPS.com.

QUESTIONS? We love hearing from our customers and replies to inquires are usually answered the same day. Need more of this stamp? Looking for a particular stamp not found on our website? Want a curated postage set for your special event?  Contact us with questions about vintage postage stamps and our services… 

TELL YOUR STORY IN STAMPS: We’ve worked with hundreds of couples and their stationers to custom design highly stylized personalized postage sets based on our customer’s life stories. We can help you curate personalized vintage postage sets to commemorate your save-the-date, wedding, shower, announcement, and other special occasions in a truly unique fashion. Drawing on our encyclopedic knowledge of every stamp ever issued by the USPS, and sourcing from our extensive inventory of collectable unused vintage stamps, we’ll help you tell your unique story in stamps!

ABOUT HERITAGE POST HOUSE: Jennifer Kramer is the founder of Heritage Post House, a boutique vintage postage house located in Northern California. Jennifer sources the most beautiful unused vintage postage stamps ever issued by USPS and artfully arranges them into curated postage sets that are sure to add a special touch to your invitations, announcements, and special mailings. In addition to creating pre-arranged postage sets, Jennifer also works with couples (and their stationers) to create one-of-a-kind custom postage arrangements for wedding invitations, save the dates, and other special occasions.

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