Bison Stamps (North American Wildlife Series, Buffalo, Multicolored) Vintage Unused USPS Postage 22c

Add rugged flair to your letters with these beautiful vintage unused North American Wildlife Series "Bison" 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: Bison
• Series: North American Wildlife
• Year Issued: 1987
• Face Value: 22-cents (USD) per stamp
• Topics and Themes: Wildlife, Nature, Buffalo, Bison, Tatanka, Herd, Grazing, American Prairie, Grasslands, Monuments, University of Colorado Boulder Mascot — Ralphie, North Dakota State University Mascot — Thundar the Bison, Colorado, Wyoming, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Conservation
• Color(s): Brown, Yellow/Gold, Pink, Multicolored
• Mailing Occasions: Wedding Invitations, Save the Date Announcements, Shower Invitations, Thank You Cards, Snail Mail, and more
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Scott Number: 2320
• 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 a Bison standing majestically on the grasslands of North America, showcasing its powerful build and rugged appearance. The stamp’s design focuses on the majestic profile of the Bison with its thick, shaggy coat, curved horns, and large size—all characteristics that make the Bison an iconic representation of the American wilderness. The background features a landscape of the plains, emphasizing the Bison's natural habitat. 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 Bison (Bison bison) is one of the largest land mammals in North America, often referred to as the American Buffalo, although it is not directly related to the buffalo species of Africa and Asia. The Bison played an essential role in the cultural history and ecology of North America. Historically, Bison roamed across the North American plains, with massive herds numbering in the millions. They are herbivores, primarily grazing on grasses and sedges. Bison were once considered the keystone species of the grassland ecosystem, influencing the landscape by grazing and promoting plant diversity. In the 19th century, overhunting and habitat loss nearly wiped out the species. However, due to conservation efforts, populations have rebounded, and the Bison is now found in protected areas and national parks across North America, including Yellowstone National Park.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Bison holds deep spiritual and cultural significance, especially among Indigenous peoples of North America, and represents qualities such as strength, abundance, and sacredness. The Bison symbolizes physical strength and resilience, standing as a symbol of the power needed to endure life’s challenges. As one of the largest land mammals, the Bison represents stability, courage, and the ability to face adversity with stoic perseverance. The Bison is often associated with abundance, particularly in relation to food and sustenance. Historically, Indigenous peoples relied on the Bison for food, clothing, shelter, and even tools, making the animal a symbol of sacred provision. The Bison represents gratitude for nature’s offerings and the cycle of life. In Native American traditions, the Bison is revered as a sacred animal. Many tribes, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Plains Cree, consider the Bison to be spiritually significant, associated with Mother Earth and the Great Spirit. The Bison's power was seen as both a spiritual strength and a physical manifestation of divine protection. It was believed that the Bison would bring blessings and healing to those who honored it in ceremonies and rituals. The Bison is a symbol of the earth, representing the interconnectedness of all life forms. As a creature that once roamed the plains in great numbers, it is seen as an embodiment of the natural world’s abundance and the need to maintain harmony with nature. The Bison’s relationship with Indigenous cultures goes beyond its role as a food source. Ceremonial hunts often honored the animal's sacrifice, recognizing the Bison's spirit as a key part of the circle of life. The Bison is considered a symbol of renewal, representing the ongoing cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

The Bison, or Buffalo, is commonly used as a mascot, symbolizing strength, determination, and resilience. Several colleges, sports teams, and organizations have adopted the Bison as their mascot due to its cultural significance, symbolic strength, and iconic status in American wildlife. The University of Colorado Boulder is represented by a Bison mascot, known as “Ralphie,” who leads the football team onto the field before every home game. Ralphie is a live Bison and symbolizes the university’s spirit of strength and tradition. The Buffalo Bills National Football League (NFL) team is named after the Buffalo, symbolizing toughness, power, and determination. Buffalo State College uses the Bison as its mascot, representing the strength, endurance, and pride of the college community. North Dakota State University also uses the Bison as its mascot, “Thundar the Bison,” to represent the power and resilience of its athletic teams, known as The Thundering Herd. The Bison is also used as a mascot by conservation organizations and in educational campaigns focused on preserving the species and the ecosystems they inhabit.

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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