2023 Chief Standing Bear Stamps
2023 Chief Standing Bear
- Honors Chief Standing Bear of the Ponca tribe, known for his famous court case which ruled Native Americans were people under the law and entitled to the same rights and protections
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Value: First Class Mail (Forever)
First Day of Issue: May 12, 2023
First Day City: Lincoln, Nebraska
Quantity Issued: 18,000,000
Printed by: Ashton Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Offset, Microprint
Format: Pane of 20
Tagging: Nonphosphored Type III, Block Tagged
Why the stamp was issued: To commemorate Chief Standing Bear who was known for his landmark court case in 1879 that declared Native Americans people under the law. These gave them the rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
About the stamp design: The stamp pictures a portrait by Thomas Blackshear II based on a black-and-white photograph from 1877. The color of Chief Standing Bear’s clothing was chosen based on historical descriptions.
First Day City: The stamp was issued in Lincoln, Nebraska, where a statue of Chief Standing Bear can be found on the Centennial Mall.
History the stamp represents: Ponca Chief Standing Bear was a civil rights pioneer who won a pivotal court case that declared Native Americans were people under the law.
Standing Bear (1829-1908) grew up in the traditional Ponca homeland, near where the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers meet. His tribe was forced to move several times over the years. By 1878, many had died and the survivors were living in unfamiliar lands.
Following the death of his oldest son in 1878, Standing Bear returned to his homelands to lay his son to rest. However, Standing Bear and his followers were arrested for leaving their reservation without permission. Two Omaha lawyers took up his case and filed for a writ of habeas corpus (the right against unlawful imprisonment). The case of Standing Bear v. Crook went before a judge in May 1879. The government argued that a Native American wasn’t a “person” under law. However, Standing Bear stated that while his skin was a different color, his blood was not – that “God made me, and I am a Man.” The judge ruled that within the meaning of habeas corpus, “an Indian is a person.” The Ponca were allowed to return to their homelands and Standing Bear gave lectures on Indian rights.
In 1908, Sitting Bear was laid to rest on a hill overlooking his birth site. He has received many honors in the years since, including a 2023 US stamp.
Frequently Asked Questions
How it works?
A Forever® stamp is for sending domestic mail weighing up to 1 oz via First-Class Mail®.
Purpose: Send letters and cards up to 1 oz (approximately 4 sheets of regular, 8-1/2" x 11" paper in a rectangular envelope)
within the U.S., including U.S. territories and military bases overseas.
Value: Always valid for the First-Class Mail 1 oz rate, even if postage rates increase. Visit First-Class Mail and Postage to view
current rates.
Other Uses: Pair this stamp’s value with other postage to meet mailing costs when additional postage is required.
Use the Retail Postage Calculator to determine the exact cost of your mail.
Why is "FOREVER" crossed out in the image?
So the lines in your picture:
- It does not mean that the stamp has expired;
- It does not mean that you cannot continue to use it;
- Nor a postmark;
- It's just an artificial anti-copying line added to the display image.
Note: If the physical stamp you receive actually has this crossed line printed on it, be cautious. It may be a display sample, a replica or a fake stamp, rather than a normal usable stamp.
What are the common types of stamps, and how do they differ?
- Forever Stamp: Valid for standard domestic letters within the U.S. These stamps typically do not bear a fixed face value; they remain valid for mailing a standard one-ounce letter at the current rate, even if postage prices increase in the future.
- Global Forever Stamp: Primarily used for standard international letters or postcards sent from the U.S. to other countries. The main difference between this and a standard Forever Stamp lies in its scope of use and postage value.
- Postcard Stamp: Designed specifically for domestic postcards that meet USPS size standards; the postage rate is typically lower than that for standard letters.
- Additional Ounce Stamp: Used to cover the cost of weight exceeding the first ounce; these are usually used in conjunction with a Forever Stamp or other stamps.
- Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce Stamps: Suitable for heavier letters, greeting cards, wedding invitations, or multi-page documents, eliminating the need to combine multiple stamps to cover the required postage.
- Fixed-Value Stamps: These stamps display a specific monetary value (e.g., 1¢, 5¢, or other amounts) and are primarily used to make up postage differences or in combination with other stamps.
- Commemorative and Thematic Stamps: Typically issued to mark historical events, cultural or artistic themes, holidays, notable figures, animals, or natural landscapes. While suitable for regular mail, these stamps are also popular among collectors due to their unique designs and limited release periods.
It is important to note that a stamp's theme and its postage class can overlap; for example, a holiday-themed stamp might also be a Forever Stamp. When purchasing, check for markings such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, or a specific face value to confirm the stamp's intended use.
Why choose StampResale.com?
- At StampResale, you will find a diverse range of U.S. stamps—including classic Forever Stamps, holiday-themed issues, commemorative stamps, and specialty collections—catering to needs ranging from everyday mailing and gift-giving to serious collecting.
We also frequently offer limited-time discounts, bundle deals, and exclusive promotions, providing you with a wider selection and greater value while guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of our stamps.
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