The Great American Stamp Show is partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to host the Federal Duck Stamp Art Exhibit Tour as well as the Junior Duck Stamp Art Tour.
From hobby collectors to professional philatelists, Americans have for decades treasured Federal Duck Stamps for their colorful and detailed representations of America's migratory waterfowl. With their more than 80-year history, Federal Duck Stamps are the longest-running single-themed U.S. stamps.
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.
To learn more about the history of duck stamps and their impact on pop culture, read this article.
On Display at GASS 2022 – The artwork (depicting a native North American species of duck, goose, or swan) is chosen each year in the only federally sponsored and juried art contest. The top entries from the 2021 Duck Stamp Art contest and the 2022 State Best of Show entries from the Junior Duck Stamp Art contest will be on display at GASS 2022.
Information and activities for both programs will be featured at the show booth and duck stamps and products will be available for sale.
Plan to attend GASS 2022 to view this and many other fascinating stamp exhibits. Visit www.stamps.org/GASS for full show details.