1125, 1272, 1332 UNITED STATES (Utah) - Utah map and flag

Posted on 04.07.2014, 08.10.2014, and 13.11.2014
Bordered by Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona and Nevada (and touching a corner of New Mexico), Utah, one of the Four Corners states, is well known as the most religiously homogeneous state in the Union (its nickname is Beehive State), approximately 62% of Utahns being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or LDS (Mormons), which greatly influences the state's culture and daily life. The world headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) is located in the state capital, Salt Lake City, founded in 1847 in proximity to the Great Salt Lake. It is a geographically diverse state, located at the convergence of three distinct geological regions: the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau. Utah is known for its natural diversity and is home to features ranging from arid deserts with sand dunes to thriving pine forests in mountain valleys.

 

Thousands of years before the arrival of European explorers, the Anasazi/Ancestral Pueblo and the Fremont tribes lived in what is now Utah. Around the 18th century, the Navajo settled in the region, and then other Uto-Aztecan tribes, including the Goshute, the Paiute, the Shoshone, and the Ute people (who gave the name of the state). Spaniards explored the region in the 16th century, but weren't interested in colonizing. In 1821 it became part of Mexico (Alta California), and in 1824 Jim Bridger became the first white person to sight the Great Salt Lake. In 1847 Brigham Young and the first band of Mormon pioneers came to the Salt Lake Valley, and over the next 22 years, more than 70,000 pioneers crossed the plains and settled in Utah.

The Mormons wanted to establish a State of Deseret, but many of the members of the U.S. government opposed their polygamous practices. Between May 1857 and July 1858 held an armed confrontation between Mormon settlers and the armed forces of the US government (the Utah War), and beginning in 1865 Utah's Black Hawk War developed into the deadliest conflict in the territory's history. In the 1890 Manifesto, the LDS Church banned polygamy, so when Utah applied for statehood again, it was accepted, it becoming the 45th state admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896.

According to the 2007 State New Economy Index, Utah is ranked the top state in the nation for Economic Dynamism, determined by "the degree to which state economies are knowledge-based, globalized, entrepreneurial, information technology-driven and innovation-based". In October 2010, Utah was ranked number one in Forbes' list of "Best States For Business". Tourism is a major industry in Utah and is well known for its year-round outdoor and recreational activities among other attractions. With five national parks (Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion), Utah has the third most national parks of any state after Alaska and California. Other attractions include Monument Valley, the Great Salt Lake, the Bonneville Salt Flats, and Lake Powell.

The flag of the state, adopted in 1913, consists of the seal of Utah encircled in a golden circle on a background of dark navy blue. The Great Seal, designed by Harry Edwards and adopted in 1896, consists in "the center a shield and perched thereon an American Eagle with outstretching wings; the top of the shield pierced by six arrows crosswise; under the arrows the motto "INDUSTRY"; beneath the motto a beehive, on either side growing sego lilies; below the figures "1847"; on each side of the shield an American Flag.; encircling all, near the outer edge of the seal, beginning at the lower left-hand portion, the words, "THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF UTAH", with the figures "1896" at the base."

About the stamps
On the first postcard
The first two stamps, depicting a Silver Coffeepot (3c / 2005) and an American Toleware (5c / 2004), are part of the definitives series American Design (2002-2007), about which I wrote here. About the following stamp, featuring a portrait of George Washington, I wrote here.The last stamp, dedicated to the legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, is part of the series Music Icons, about which I wrote here.

On the first postcard
The first three stamps - depicting a Navajo Necklace (2c / 2006), a Chippendale Chair (4c / 2004) and an American Toleware (5c / 2004) - are part of the definitives series American Design (2002-2007), about which I wrote here.

The last stamp was issued in 2014 to marks the 200th anniversary of the flag and song that became the United States anthem.

On the third postcard
The stamps are part of a series issued to mark the Batman’s 75th anniversary as the protector of Gotham City, about which I wrote here.

References
Utah - Wikipedia

Sender 1, 2, 3: Denise 
1: sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 17.04.2014
2: sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 29.06.2014 
Artist: Jeff Murray
3: sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 06.11.2014