The American Philatelic Society is once again partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to host the Federal Duck Stamp Art Exhibit Tour and the Junior Duck Stamp Art Tour at the Great American Stamp Show in Hartford, CT.

From hobby collectors to professional philatelists, Americans have always treasured Federal Duck Stamps for their colorful and detailed representations of America's migratory waterfowl. With a more than 90-year history, Federal Duck Stamps are the longest-running single-themed U.S. stamps — and their popularity is on the rise again, thanks to a new generation of artists and social media. 

What is a Duck Stamp?

On March 16, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (or Duck Stamp Act), and an increasingly concerned nation took firm action to stop the destruction of wetlands vital to the survival of migratory waterfowl. Under the act, all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and over must annually buy and carry a Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp – better known today as a Federal Duck Stamp. 

While waterfowl hunters are required to purchase them, stamp collectors, birders, nature photographers, and other outdoor and art enthusiasts buy Duck Stamps as collector’s items and to help protect wildlife habitat. Over 98 percent of the purchase price goes directly to acquire and protect wetland habitat and purchase conservation easements for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's National Wildlife Refuge System.

Federal Duck Stamps are also unique for the way each year's stamp design is chosen, at an open art contest that is the nation's longest running and only congressionally mandated wildlife art competition.

On Display at GASS 2024

The artwork for the Federal Duck Stamp (depicting a native North American species of duck, goose, or swan) is chosen each year in the only federally sponsored and juried art contest in the country. The top entries from the 2023 Duck Stamp Art contest and the 2024 State Best of Show entries from the Junior Duck Stamp Art contest will be on display at GASS 2024. Information and activities for both programs will be featured at the show booth and duck stamps and products will be available for sale.

Make your plan to attend GASS 2024 today to view this and many other fascinating stamp exhibits. Visit www.stamps.org/GASS for full show details.

###