Stamps -> United States -> Back of Book-> Duck Stamps
If you are a lover of wildlife, or simply enjoy collectible stamps, the US stamp collection called the Duck Stamp is a terrific stamp to consider learning more about. These are not actually valid for postage, and were first released in 1934 as a way to raise money for conservation projects. They quickly became incredibly popular and through the years this popularity has only grown.
The Duck Stamps are actually made for the US Fish and Wildlife Service by the US Postal Service and every year a new design is introduced. Recently, the postal service began holding contests were amateur designers could submit their duck stamp designs for a chance to win the prize of having their stamp be the one that was produced that year. This is a competitive, but fun event and thousands take part every year.
For every dollar that is spent on a duck stamp, the US Postal Service donates 98 cents to the Fish and Wildlife service. Through the years, this funding has become vital and has gone to many special waterfowl and wildlife conservation projects. Without the duck stamp, it is highly possible that many wildlife would now be extinct or at the very least, could have lost their habitats.
The popularity of the regular duck stamp led to a new program that was introduced in 1989. Called the Junior Duck Stamp program, the proceeds from this go back into education. Through this program, children are encouraged to design their own stamps for inclusion in the project and they also learn more about conservation. This project also took off and once more, the stamps became very popular.
Another recent change was the introduction of the pass system, where a duck stamp could be used to gain admittance to a National Park free of charge. While few people like to part with their duck stamps, this program has also been a success. The success of the numerous duck stamp programs has spread, and now many states have their own special national park and stamp programs that are modeled on this original.
The most collectible duck stamps are the ones that were produced during the early stages of the program, but nearly all carry some value. While the primary purpose of the stamps may be to fund conservation and education programs, there is also a large selection of the population that collects these stamps for their artistic value. You can typically find a new US duck stamp for around $15, but the collectible and desirable stamps from many years ago can fetch much more than that at auction.
Many consider the duck stamp to be the perfect introduction for children into stamp collecting. Since they can participate in the design process and enter the contest to have their design chosen, it is a great interactive form of stamp collecting that could spark a life long interest in becoming a philatelist. If you have children, consider getting them their first duck stamp and watch their creativity and love of nature blossom.
Originally posted 2008-08-20 05:00:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Stamps of Newfoundland Stamps -> Worldwide Stamps of Newfoundland were first issued in 1857, with the country continuing to issue its own stamps until 1949. Newfoundland has over 300 of its own stamp issues, making this a popular category for collectors who need to impose boundaries in their collecting to reign themselves...... -
Benefits of Collecting Old Stamps Collecting old stamps, especially vintage postage stamps can bring great value. Collecting old stamps can be fun and educational, it can be affordable, and it can bring about understanding of history, art, travel and many other areas of culture as well. Here is an explanation of why collecting old stamps...... -
Stamp Value Stamps -> United States -> Possessions If you're a stamp collector or you want to start collecting stamps, there are many resources available to you to help you determine stamp value. Books, websites and organizations allow you to look up a stamp and determine the likely value of it based...... -
Ireland Stamps Stamps -> Europe -> Ireland When postage stamps were first issued in 1840, Ireland was still a part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Ireland used the stamps created by Britain until the Irish government took power in Ireland in 1922. Then they printed Irish text over the British...... -
US Civil War Stamps Stamps -> Topic & Specialty -> War The United Postal Service issued a sheet of 20 stamps in 1995 with the theme of the US Civil War. The Civil War was the deadliest war in American history, resulting in the death of 620,000 soldiers and an untold number of civilians.......
Related Websites -
TPWD offering chances to win lifetime hunting license AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is offering Texas hunters and anglers the chance to win a Lifetime Super Combo hunting and fishing license — an $1,800 value — for only $5. Entries for the Lifetime License Drawing can be purchased anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are...... -
MagicJack Harnesses Femtocell for VoIP [/caption] Stephen Lawson, IDG News Service MagicJack is demonstrating a device near the International Consumer Electronics Show this week that it claims will let consumers make VoIP calls using any GSM phone. The company already sells a MagicJack made for use with conventional, analog desk phones. In the new product,...... - Dove, Teal Seasons Set BIg News for Texas Dove Hunters AUSTIN, Texas — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SRC (Service Regulation Committee) has approved the 2009-2010 Texas dove season, including a 70-day season and 15-bird daily bag statewide, and a 16-day early teal season. Additionally, the SRC approved moving the Texas South Zone......
-
Weakon 127: The United States Postal Service 656,000. Would you believe that is how many pieces of mail are delivered every day? I'd hope not because the actual number is 660 million. 656,000 are the number of employees at the United States Postal Service. That is second only to Walmart in civilian employees. Here are a...... -
EarthTalk: Zoos' Species Survival Plan (SSP) Programs. Dear EarthTalk: Do zoos have serious programs to save endangered species, besides putting a few captives on display for everyone to see? Most zoos are not only great places to get up close to wildlife, but many are also doing their part to bolster dwindling populations of animals still living......
