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28c Sitting Bull single

Object Details

Description
A new 28-cent Great Americans Series stamp honoring Sitting Bull was issued on September 14, 1989, in Rapid City, South Dakota. The dedication ceremony was held in conjunction with a meeting of the United Sioux Tribes.
Sitting Bull was the legendary chief, spiritual and political leader of the Hunkpapa Sioux Indians. The portrait, designed by Robert D. Anderson, was based on photographs from the National Anthropological Archives of the Smithsonian Institution.
Sitting Bull's true greatness took shape in his personal bravery, his unassailable dignity, and his courageous defense of his people against impossible odds. A man of superior intelligence, force, and persuasive skill, he fought to protect the lands and lifestyle of the Sioux, stubbornly refusing to sign away his people's centuries-old heritage for treaties all too often worth less than the paper on which they were printed.
In 1889, other Sioux Leaders agreed to sell most of their remaining land in return for critically needed rations and supplies. Still, Sitting Bull refused to sign the agreement, angrily declaring, "There are no Indians left now but me!" In many respects, Sitting Bull was the last of the great Indian chiefs. When he was killed resisting arrest in 1890, the Indian wars were over.
The stamp denomination represents the postcard rate sent via surface mail from the United States to all foreign destinations except Canada and Mexico.
The stamps were engraved through the intaglio process by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and issued in panes of 100.
Reference:
Postal Bulletin (August 17, 1989).
mint; perf 11; large block tagging
Credit line
Copyright United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.
Data Source
National Postal Museum
Date
September 14, 1989
Object number
1998.2008.26
Depicts
Sitting Bull, Native American (Sioux), 1834 - 1890
Type
Postage Stamps
Medium
paper; ink (myrtle green); adhesive / engraving
Place
United States of America
See more items in
National Postal Museum Collection
Title
Scott Catalogue USA 2183
Topic
The Cold War (1945-1990)
American Indian Heritage
Political Figures
U.S. Stamps
Record ID
npm_1998.2008.26
Usage
Usage conditions apply
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm8b38fedcb-16c2-468e-99a1-0027571346a3
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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HomeSmithsonian National Postal Museum

Visit »

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

street map of Postal museum

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