The Stamp Collectors Corner

In June of 1987, the United States Postal Service released a much anticipated set of 50 postage stamps called the “Wildlife of the 50 States”.  The USPS had released other large panes prior to the release of these wildlife postage stamps, but none quite as artistically impressive as this particular set.  Previous sets included 50 stamps depicting the state flags (one from each state), and a combination state bird and state flower pane as well.

This extensive stamp set was released in Toronto, Canada at the CAPEX ‘87’; which at the time was Canada’s first international philatelic show in almost 10 years.  Interestingly enough, at the CAPEX ‘78’, there was another USPS souvenir sheet set released as well.  Those stamps were also of wildlife, but had no relation to this stamp release.

The Citizen’s Advisory Committee decided in 1982 that the 50 pane sets should only be produced no more than every five years, even though the public continued to send in requests for a variety of different sets to be produced in more frequent intervals.  This was never official policy, just a standing rule of sorts.

Please check back on Friday for part II of this post.