About This Stamp
A 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, the 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.