2010 Federal Duck Stamp First Day of Sale Ceremony
07.02.2010
Blog
By Jim O'Donnell, Museum Specialist, Smithsonian National Postal Museum
The First Day of Sale for the 2010 Federal Duck Stamp was held on Friday, June 25, 2010 at the Bass Pro Shop at Arundel Mills Mall in Hanover, Maryland.
This program cover shows both the Federal Duck Stamp (top) and the Junior Duck Stamp.
Paul Schmidt, Assistant Director of Migratory Birds at the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was the master of ceremonies.
The news is good—both for the Federal Duck Stamp Program and the waterfowl it conserves. Sales of Federal Duck Stamps are up in recent years, with the self-adhesive stamp outselling the gummed variety three to one. It is widely distributed by Bass Pro, Wal Mart and others. It is also available in post office lobbies and vending machines. The gummed variety remains the favorite with collectors. Waterfowl populations are up, with few exceptions, continent-wide according to aerial counts of ducks on their breeding grounds this spring.
Collector Frank Gniazdowski gave a scholarship check for $5,000.00 to Rui Huang, Junior Duck Stamp winning artist. Rui’s mother and father were there with cameras to capture the moment.
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service director Rowan Gould couldn’t attend as he was detailed to a team cleaning up the Gulf oil spill. Here Paul Schmidt holds a photo of Rowan Gould as he purchases the first 2010 Federal Duck Stamp from Hanover postmaster Christopher Vaeth.
After the speeches were over, the artists, the speakers, and all the honored guests signed uncut press sheets of this year’s issue. Here winning Federal artist Robert Bealle signs a sheet of self-adhesive stamps as judge Peter Martin waits his turn.
Collectors lined up to buy duck and postage stamps. Postal workers cancelled programs, cards and stamps with a special First Day of Sale pictorial cancel. Since a duck stamp is not valid for postage, the postal service requires a postage stamp to be affixed to your program, souvenir card or stamp to cancel it.
The speakers signed programs, stamps and cards for the public. Here Federal artist Robert Bealle signs a card.
A First Day of Sale Ceremony Program with a First Day of Sale dated cancel, signed by all the listed participants, such as this, is a valuable collectible.
For more information on duck stamps, visit the Federal Duck Stamp Office’s website at: fws.gov/duckstamps.
About the Author
Jim O'Donnell has worked at the museum since its opening in 1993 and before that in its precursor, the National Philatelic Collection, since 1985. He is best known for his management of the "Artistic License: The Duck Stamp Story" exhibition and the subsequent donation of the Jeanette C. Rudy Duck Stamp collection.
