Headdresses of American Indian tribes - issued 1990

Having previously mentioned memories of a postcard showing an American Indian with headdress, made of stamps,  I came across this complete set of US stamps issued in 1990 featuring headdresses of various tribes.
The Smithsonian National Postal Museum has a great website which gives details of many stamps issued by the USA and provides excellent information about the contents.

USA stamp issue from 1990: 5 designs by Lunda Hayle Gill

1. Assinboine headdress circa 1920  - felt and wool, with long strips of ermine hanging from both sides.
2. Comanche headdress mid 1880s - Golden eagle and dyed turkey feathers with rabbit skin and fur.
3. Flathead headdress circa 1905 made from felt and large golden eagle tail feathers, with ermine skin spots and white cow tail hair tied to the end of each feather.
4. Cheyenne headdress circa 1890 has brass tack decoration across the brow and golden eagle feathers, ribbons and hair tassels.
5. Shoshone headdress circa 1900 has a brow band embroidered with porcupine quills, and also uses golden eagle tail feathers.

The headdresses were often made by the warriors themselves and may have been buried with them on their death.

They are also known as war bonnets and are a sign of honour and courage.  

The US law today allows the American Indian people to use eagle feathers exclusively for cultural and religious purposes.  

There's always something interesting to discover on stamps!!