In the early 1700s, French fur traders learned from the Indians how to build bark canoes. These large, lightweight boats became a vital part of the fur trading industry and were used for almost 200 years by trappers, traders, and guides of the wild North American "Up Country." U.S. #2453 is part of the popular Transportation Series. The Transportation Series contains 59 stamps with engraved designs featuring modes of transportation from the baby buggy to the racecar.