Add rugged flair to your letters with these beautiful vintage unused North American Wildlife Series "Beaver" 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!

Purchase includes a total of TEN (10) mint condition postage stamps shown in the product listing photos.

STAMP INFORMATION:

• Name: Beaver
• Series: North American Wildlife
• Year Issued: 1987
• Face Value: 22-cents (USD) per stamp
• Topics and Themes: Wildlife, Nature, Eager Beaver, Engineer, Dam, Tree Falling, Streams, Wetlands, Conservation, Canada's National Animal, Oregon State University’s (OSU) Mascot — Benny the Beaver, MIT mascot — Tim the Beaver
• Color(s): Brown/Red, Light Green, Multicolored
• Mailing Occasions: Wedding Invitations, Save the Date Announcements, Shower Invitations, Thank You Cards, Snail Mail, and more
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Scott Number: 2316
• 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 Beaver, known for its engineering skills and ecological importance. The stamp’s artwork depicts a Beaver in its natural wetland habitat, gnawing on a tree. 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 Beaver (Castor canadensis) is one of North America’s most iconic mammals, known for its strong work ethic, intelligence, and ecological impact. It is the largest rodent in North America and is famous for its ability to build dams and lodges, significantly shaping wetland ecosystems. The Beaver is found near rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands throughout North America. Herbivorous, beavers eat bark, leaves, twigs, and aquatic plants. Beavers build dams to create deep ponds, which protect them from predators. Their lodges are made of mud, sticks, and logs, with underwater entrances. Their activities prevent droughts, reduce flooding, and improve biodiversity. Beavers are often called "nature’s engineers" for their role in shaping landscapes.

The Beaver is Canada’s national animal, and it appears in logos, advertisements, and official symbols. The Beaver is a well-known mascot, representing intelligence, hard work, and perseverance. One of the most famous Beaver mascots is Oregon State University’s (OSU) "Benny the Beaver”. Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) mascot is "Tim the Beaver,” chosen because beavers are "nature’s engineers," symbolizing innovation, a perfect fit for a school known for technology and problem-solving. Beaver mascots are often used in construction, lumber, and engineering companies, symbolizing hard work and craftsmanship.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: The Beaver is a powerful symbol in many Indigenous and spiritual traditions, representing hard work, perseverance, and resourcefulness. Beavers never stop working to build and improve their environment. They symbolize dedication, patience, and the rewards of hard work. As expert builders, Beavers represent problem-solving and creativity. Their ability to construct homes and transform landscapes is a sign of innovation and adaptability. Beavers are highly family-oriented, working together to maintain their lodges. This symbolizes cooperation, teamwork, and the importance of strong relationships. By shaping waterways, Beavers create new ecosystems. Spiritually, they remind us to actively shape our lives and maintain harmony between work and rest. Beavers store food and materials for winter, symbolizing planning for the future. They teach us to be prepared and use our resources wisely. In many Indigenous traditions, the Beaver is a sacred animal that embodies wisdom and resilience. Some legends portray the Beaver as a builder of the world, helping to create land and shape rivers. It is often considered a guide for those seeking stability and long-term success.

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.

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.


Product Specifications

Length: 1.57 in.
Height: 0.01 in.
Width: 0.98 in.
Weight: 0.01 lbs.