Add a touch of nature's wonder to your letters with these vintage unused North American Wildlife Series "Armadillo" postage stamps! This classic wildlife design is perfect for adding a bit of nature to your cards and letters or save-the-dates and weddings. 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 correspondence. 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: Armadillo
• Series: North American Wildlife
• Year Issued: 1987
• Face Value: 22-cents (USD) per stamp
• Topic(s): Armored Shell, Cactus, Desert, Southwest, Texas
• Color(s): Earthy Tones, Multicolored
• Mailing Occasions: Wedding Invitations, Save the Date Announcements, Shower Invitations, Thank You Cards, Snail Mail, and more
• Printing Method: Photogravure
• Scott Number: 2296
• Adhesion Type: Gummed (see below for adhesion instructions)
• Condition: Genuine Unused USPS Postage Stamps, Ready to Use for USPS Mailings, Mint Condition

STAMP HISTORY: Part of the North American Wildlife series, this vintage postage stamp depicts an Armadillo in its natural habitat, dry ground near shrubs, showcasing its distinctive armored shell and long snout. The stamp’s artwork focuses on the armadillo’s texture and earthy coloration, emphasizing its bony plates and natural camouflage. 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 Armadillo (Dasypodidae) is a unique, armor-plated mammal found in the Americas, with the Nine-Banded Armadillo being the only species native to the United States. These creatures are known for their protective shell, which is made of bony plates covered in a tough skin. Found in grasslands, forests, and semi-deserts, mainly in the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central America. Armadillos are expert diggers, creating complex burrow systems to escape predators and regulate body temperature. Known for delayed implantation—females can pause pregnancy and give birth months later when conditions are favorable.

STAMP MEANING & SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE: The armadillo holds deep spiritual meanings in Native American traditions, folklore, and modern symbolism. The armored shell represents the need for personal boundaries and self-protection. In some traditions, seeing an armadillo is a sign that one must set healthy emotional or physical limits in life. The armadillo’s ability to dig, hide, and adapt to different environments signifies resourcefulness and perseverance. In many cultures, it is a symbol of survival, flexibility, and adjusting to challenges. Because armadillos spend much of their time underground, they are linked to inner wisdom and reflection. They remind people to stay grounded and not be swayed by external distractions.Armadillos are naturally inquisitive, always digging and searching for food. Spiritually, they represent seeking knowledge, uncovering hidden truths, and curiosity about life’s mysteries. Some Native American traditions associate the armadillo with earth energy and fertility, as they live in burrows and remain close to the ground. They are seen as guardians of the land, teaching humans to respect the natural cycles of life.

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.