Box Turtle Stamps (North American Wildlife Series, Reptile, Multicolored) Vintage Unused USPS Postage 22c

Part of the North American Wildlife series, this vintage postage stamp depicts a Box Turtle, highlighting this iconic reptile native to the Eastern United States. The stamp’s artwork shows a Box Turtle in its natural habitat, showcasing its distinctive domed shell, yellow and orange markings, and calm demeanor. 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 Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a small, terrestrial turtle found in the woodlands and grasslands of the Eastern United States, from the Great Lakes region down to the Gulf of Mexico. Known for its distinctive appearance and slow movement, the Box Turtle is a beloved and symbolic animal in many cultures. The turtle’s shell pattern can vary, with some individuals showing intricate yellow, orange, and red markings. These patterns make each turtle unique. Box turtles are primarily found in forests, woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands, especially those with plenty of vegetation, leaf litter, and moist soil. They are slow-moving and prefer environments with areas to hide and burrow. These turtles are known for their long lifespan, often living for 50 years or more in the wild. Some Box Turtles have been known to live well over 100 years in captivity. The Box Turtle is primarily terrestrial and spends much of its time foraging for food. It is diurnal (active during the day) and is known for its slow and deliberate movements. The Eastern Box Turtle has been facing significant declines in population due to habitat destruction, road mortality, and the pet trade. As a result, it is considered vulnerable in some parts of its range and is the focus of ongoing conservation efforts to protect its habitats and ensure its survival.

In various cultures, the turtle is a symbol of wisdom, patience, longevity, and connection to the earth. The Box Turtle, in particular, is often associated with groundedness, protection, and the natural world. The turtle is widely regarded as a symbol of patience and deliberate action. Its slow, steady movement reminds us that progress is often made through small steps and that patience can lead to success over time. The Box Turtle’s slow and methodical pace is a reminder that not all journeys need to be rushed. It symbolizes the importance of staying grounded and taking your time to achieve goals. Turtles, including the Box Turtle, are often associated with long life and wisdom. Their long lifespan symbolizes endurance and the value of gaining wisdom over time through experience and reflection. The turtle is considered a teacher of patience and the ability to live a life in harmony with nature, taking time to observe and learn along the way. The Box Turtle's ability to close its shell and retreat into safety represents protection and self-defense. It teaches the lesson of boundaries and how to protect oneself when needed, while still remaining open to the world. The turtle’s shell is a symbol of the Earth itself—strong and protective, but also vulnerable to the outside world. The turtle is deeply connected to the Earth, both literally (through its low-to-the-ground, earth-bound nature) and symbolically (as a symbol of the planet). Turtles are considered to represent the balance between the heavens and the earth, bridging the natural and spiritual worlds. In some cultures, turtles are believed to carry the world on their backs, symbolizing groundedness, stability, and the importance of honoring the Earth. The Box Turtle’s ability to adapt to different environments and live for many decades speaks to the resilience of life in difficult conditions. Despite challenges such as habitat loss, these creatures continue to persist, offering the lesson of adapting to change and being resilient in the face of adversity.

The Box Turtle is used in various environmental education programs to teach about the importance of wildlife conservation, the vulnerable species, and the fragile ecosystems that support such creatures. Many nature centers and wildlife preserves use the Box Turtle as a mascot to promote awareness of the importance of protecting endangered species and habitat conservation.

This postage stamp has a traditional moisture-activated gum on the back. This means that the stamps required licking or wetting to adhere to envelopes or other surfaces.

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.

These unused vintage postage stamps are perfectly suitable 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.