FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION

The Assiniboine are a Sioun-speaking people who originally lived in northern Minnesota. The Assiniboine and many Sioux tribes moved westward into Montana due to pressure from the east exerted by the Chippewa and European settlers. Both tribes adapted to the Plains culture of their new environment. In an 1851 treaty, the Assiniboine in the vicinity of Fort Peck were granted hunting and fishing privileges in common with the Blackfeet, Gros Ventre, and other tribes in the area. To accommodate these groups, the Fort Peck Reservation was established by an Executive Order of 1873 as a home for both Assiniboine and Sioux tribes. The reservation boundaries, which encompass 964,864 acres in northeast Montana, were set by Congress in 1888. Although the earliest know stamps are from 1975, it is believed that stamps were issued in 1973 (none have surfaced yet).

The stamps were issued in booklet panes of ten (5x2) with a tab at the left. The paper is a standard three part business form with the second copy canary in color and the third copy pink. The serial numbers are in red preceded with a “No” prefix. Stamps from 1975-1977 also have a small black year number preceded by a “B” for Bird or “F” for Fish as part of the serial number. Stamps issued in 1978 were used for several years. Stamps issued in 1975 have shiny gum. All other Fort Peck stamps have dull gum. These stamps are rouletted 9.75. Unused licenses exist that were printed in 1973 for use in 1974 with places for stamps on the back, but no stamps are recorded prior to 1975. Stamps issued in 1988 are rouletted 6.5. Although many of these stamps were sold, no licenses with stamps have been recorded.

FP #8

FP #7

FP #6

FP #5

FP #4

FP #3b

FP #3a

FP #3

FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION

Paper color Mint Unsigned Used
FP 3 1975 4.00 Bird Tribal black on white 1500.00
FP 3a added framelines at upper left 1950.00
FP 3b added framelines at upper right 1950.00
FP 4 1975 4.00 Fishing Tribal black on dark yellow 1500.00
FP 5 1976 4.00 Bird Tribal black on white 75.00
FP 5a double impression 9500.00 (Six recorded examples)
FP 5b duplicate serial numbers 2500.00 (20 recorded examples)
Of the twenty recorded examples, ten are in an intact sheet.
FP 6 1976 4.00 Fishing Tribal black on dark yellow 300.00
FP 7 1977 4.00 Bird Tribal black on white 21,500.00 (Ten recorded examples)
FP 8 1977 4.00 Fishing Tribal black on yellow 14,500.00 (Ten recorded examples)
Paper color Mint Unsigned Used
FP 9 1978 5.00 Bird Tribal black on orange 325.00
FP10 1978 5.00 Fishing Tribal black on blue 175.00
Starting in 1988, fishing and hunting stamps were sold to non-members and non residents. Prior to this, fishing and hunting was only permitted by tribal members. Now that Fort Peck was collecting higher fees from non-tribal members, tribal members were able to hunt and fish at no charge. Only one tribal stamp was issued with the price of “Free” printed on the face.
FP11 1988-94 Free Fishing Tribal black on green 14.00
FP12 1988-94 10.00 Fishing Non-Indian black on yellow 18.00
FP13 1988-94 20.00 Fishing Out of State black on white 35.00
FP11-13 are rouletted 6.5
FP14 1988-93 25.00 Upland Game Non-Member black on yellow 40.00
FP15 1988-93 50.00 Upland Game Out of State black on yellow 60.00
FP16 1993 10.00 Upland Game Non-Member black on yellow 25.00
FP16a 1993 10.00 Upland Game Non-Member constant plate flaw - position 1 (10,00 instead of 10.00)
black on yellow 135.00
FP17 1993 40.00 Upland Game Out of State black on yellow 75.00
The stamps issued from 1988-1994 were issued on three part business form. The second copy is pale yellow in color and the third copy is salmon. The back side of the carbons are light yellow. Stamps are rouletted 7.5.
Paper color Mint Unsigned Used
FP18 1994 15.00 Upland Game Non-Member black on yellow 22.00
missing serial number (only last digit shows)
FP19 1994 45.00 Upland Game Out of State black on yellow 60.00
missing serial number (only last digit shows)
FP20 1995 45.00 Upland Game Non-Member brown on white 60.00
FP21 1995 2.50 Paddlefish Res Non-Member blue on white 5.00
FP22 1995 7.50 Paddlefish Non-Resident blue on white 15.00
FP23 1995 2.50 Paddlefish Res Non-Member blue on white 5.00 (made of non-tearable tyvek)
FP24 1995 7.50 Paddlefish Non-Resident white on blue 15.00 (made of non-tearable tyvek)
Paddlefish stamps (FP21-24) were issued in sheets of four (2x2) with pin perforations and a tab at the top.
FP21-24 are made of non-tearable paper
FP25 1996 25.00 Upland Game Resident black on blue 25.00
FP26 1996 65.00 Upland Game Out of State black on brown 55.00
FP27 1996 10.00 Waterfowl Resident black on orange 20.00
FP28 1996 40.00 Waterfowl Out of State black on green 30.00
Paper color Mint Unsigned Used
FP29 1996 Paddlefish MT Resident black on blue 20.00
FP30 1996 Paddlefish Out of State blue on white 20.00
The essay for the Paddlefish stamps originally were issued with a face value. It was decided to eliminate the printed face value so that the stamps could be used for more than one year if the fees increased. See photos on next page.
FP31 1997 25.00 Upland Game black on turquoise 25.00
FP32 1997 40.00 Upland Game black on plum 40.00
FP33 1997 75.00 Antelope black on gold 85.00
No face value is printed on these stamps. In order to purchase one of these stamps, you had to fill out a form indicating that you were interested in the antelope hunt. A drawing was held and the winners were able to purchase a stamp. Very few were sold. There are two different shades of gold. The differences are minor. No difference in value.
FP34 1997 75.00 Turkey white on red 85.00
Many of the Fort Peck stamps were sold by the Tribe to collectors at a discount from the face value at the end of the season.

FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION

FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION

FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION

FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION

FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION

FP #12

FP #11

FP #10

FP #9

FP #16a

FP #15

FP #14

FP #17

FP #21-24

FP #20

FP #19

FP #18

FP #16

FP #13

FP #28

FP #27

FP #26

FP #25

FP #32

FP #31

FP #30

FP #29

FP #34

FP #33

These are actually essays, not proofs since they are different from the actual stamp. (The actual stamps are without denomination printed on the stamp). They were printed on plastic. The resident stamp has a $10.00 denomination printed on the sheet and the out of state stamp has a $20.00 denomination printed on the stamp. There are ten recorded copies of each stamp, all on one sheet.

Complete sheet of FP 3 showing positions of FP 3a and FP 3b

This license was originally made for the 1973-74 season. The first two digits in the serial number also confirms that this license was issued in 1973. There are two stamp boxes on the back of the license. The original date on the license is overprinted with the 1975-1976 years. It is because of this license that stamps from 1973 are believed to have been issued. It is not known whether or not the stamps were ever used. No copies of the 1973 stamps have been recorded to date.

FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION

License used for the 1977 Fort Peck stamps

License issued for 1973 stamp (no examples recorded). The reverse has stamp boxes for bird and fish stamps.

License used for the 1980 season

FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION

License used for the 1988 season