Philosateleia
Kevin Blackston
PO Box 217
Floresville TX 78114-0217
United States of America

Extras

Will the 14¢ American Indian do service as a postage stamp again in the future? Collectors of the United States and Canal Zone stamps probably did not expect the Marshall Islands to revive the design in 2006, but that did happen. Future appearances would seem to not be out of the question.

For those looking for a little extra, several American Indian stamp-related items exist.

Die & plate proofs

The most desirable items related to the American Indian stamp are rare U.S. die and plate proofs. These exist in both the issued dark blue, and in a dark brown shade not used for the 14¢ stamp.1

Souvenir card

Of a similar print quality to the die and plate proofs is a souvenir card the Bureau of Engraving and Printing produced for Stampshow ’89 in Anaheim, California.

Unlike the proofs, the 14¢ design on the attractive 10×8 inch souvenir card is invalidated by a black diagonal line. Nevertheless, the card is common, and it is the least expensive way for a collector to acquire a sharp impression of the vignette.

Front of souvenir card picturing 14-cent American Indian stamp and engraving of vignette
14¢ American Indian Stampshow ’89 souvenir card (1989)

Souvenir sheet

The Oklahoma Philatelic Society made use of the design of the 14¢ American Indian stamp on a souvenir sheet issued for the organization’s 15th annual convention in 1947.

Oklahoma Philatelic Society 15th Annual Convention souvenir sheet with reproduction of 14-cent American Indian stamp
14¢ American Indian souvenir sheet

Facsimile first day cover

At first glance, the next item appears to be a scarce 14¢ American Indian first day cover. Closer inspection, however, reveals that it is merely a reproduction printed on card stock.

Text on the back of the card indicates the item is a “facsimile first day cover,” one of a series prepared and sold by Fleetwood in the late 1970s.2

Front of facsimile first day cover picturing 14-cent American Indian stamp
14¢ American Indian facsimile first day cover (1977)

Military payment certificate

Although not a stamp, a United States military payment certificate printed in 1969 features the same portrait of Hollow Horn Bear that was used on the 14¢ American Indian stamp.

Front of miliary payment certificate picturing American Indian
$10 American Indian military payment certificate (1969)

Related material

Hollow Horn Bear’s image has also appeared on root beer bottles, and perhaps on other products, too.3 Although such items are not directly related to the 14¢ stamp, some of them are scarce, and they can make up an attractive side collection that complements the philatelic material.

References

  1. Kloetzel, James, ed. Scott 2010 Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers. Sidney, Ohio: Scott Publishing Co., 2009.
  2. Fleetwood Facsimile First Day Covers. The Penn Family. Accessed 2 Sept. 2010.
  3. Youngblood, Wayne. American Indians on Stamps. The American Philatelist, Feb. 2010.

Published 2018-06-17 Last updated 2021-01-17