Images from
The Duck Stamp Story
(Click for larger view)
The Duck Stamp Story
Art-Conservation-History
By Eric Jay Dolin and Bob Dumaine
(Krause Publications, 206 pp., 300 illus., ISBN: 0873418158, $49.95)
This is the most comprehensive, beautifully illustrated book ever published on the Federal Duck Stamp Program. It is much more than just a "stamp" book. The first third of the book focuses on the conservation history of the United States and the factors that led the federal government to take action to conserve dwindling populations of migratory waterfowl. Anyone interested in environmental/conservation history or the politics of wildlife protection should find this fascinating. Another third of the book focuses on the duck stamp art contest, often referred to as the "richest art competition in the world." Over twenty of the winning artists were interviewed for this section. The remainder of the book covers duck stamps and stamp collecting in depth. This includes information on grading a stamp's condition, how the stamps are produced from start to finish, stamp values, condition, and profiles of some of the great collectors. With over 300 full-color images, adding life to the text, this book is not only very interesting it is also beautiful.
"For hunters, conservationists, art enthusiasts, collectors and even investors, The Duck Stamp Story should be on your reading list."
"Beautifully illustrated . . . An engaging read that would make an ideal gift for the literate waterfowl hunter in your life."
"The complete and fascinating history of the Duck Stamp Program."
"Lavishly illustrated . . . Written and solidly researched, this is the definitive work on the subject."
"A fine job of telling the story of the art, conservation, and history of the Federal Duck Stamp Program."
"Well-written, enjoyable book for history buffs . . . Artists . . . Collectors of wildfowl art . . . Compelling, informative and easy to read."
"A fascinating and very readable story of the duck stamp program."
"The perfect gift for anyone who is or ever has been interested in waterfowl, wildlife and the principles of conservation."
Introduction
Flying north in the spring and south in the fall, each year migratory waterfowl repeat one of nature's most breathtaking journeys of birth and renewal. For the past sixty-seven years a stamp has helped the birds make the flight. Sales of the federal duck stamp, topping half a billion dollars, have enabled the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to purchase more than five million acres of National Wildlife Refuge lands, critical habitat that migratory waterfowl and other species depend on for their survival. The duck stamp story is one of vision, dogged persistence, commitment, and beauty which conservationists, hunters, bird watchers, stamp collectors, and art lovers all can appreciate. Most importantly, the duck stamp story is about great results. The Federal Duck Stamp Program is one of the most successful conservation efforts ever devised. It is a true national treasure.
The program began in 1934 with the passage of the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. From that point forward, all migratory waterfowl hunters sixteen years of age and older have been required to purchase a duck stamp to legally hunt. Since then, sixty-seven federal duck stamps have been issued, each with a different design of migratory waterfowl species on its face. The term "duck stamp" is a misnomer because the program covers all migratory waterfowl, not just ducks. This is reflected on the stamps, some of which show geese and swans. Nevertheless, the stamps are commonly referred to as duck stamps and that is the convention used here.
The seeds of the federal duck stamp program were sown well before 1934. From the 1600s through the 1800s, the pressures of population growth, development, and hunting, particularly market hunting, combined to place many migratory waterfowl populations in a precarious position. By the end of the nineteenth century it was clear that action to reverse these declines was necessary, not just at the state level where it had already begun, but at the federal level too. In the early decades of the twentieth century, a variety of laws designed to protect migratory waterfowl were enacted. Still, by 1919, it was clear this was not enough. That year, the idea of a hunting stamp for migratory waterfowl made its first appearance on the national scene. Over the next fifteen years an incredibly diverse cast of characters conducted a lively and at times heated public debate on the merits of various bills that would create a "duck" stamp and preserve migratory waterfowl habitat. These deliberations resulted in the 1934 law and, as a testament to the foresight of the law's designers, in the years since then the basic outlines of the Federal Duck Stamp Program have remained largely intact.
Being so successful, it is not surprising that the Federal Duck Stamp Program has spawned many imitators. At one time or another, all fifty states have run their own duck stamp programs. Local and tribal governments, as well as various private organizations have also issued duck stamps. The concept has spread beyond the United States' borders, to the point where eighteen foreign countries now boast duck stamp programs of their own.
The Federal Duck Stamp Program, like the migrations of waterfowl, follows an annual cycle. In the fall the art contest is held which chooses the winning design that will appear on the next year's duck stamp. Hundreds of artists from around the country vie for the honor of being crowned winner and the level of competition is high. The winning artist and his or her design goes on a "victory tour" at waterfowl festivals, stamp shows, and other events, spreading the word about the program. At the same time, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is busy at work translating the winning painting into a miniature work of art - the duck stamp. The Bureau's work is complete by early summer and the new duck stamp is officially issued for sale, usually on July 1. Then the cycle begins anew.
Duck stamp sales are not the only way the federal duck stamp program makes money to purchase critical habitat. Manufacturers of all types of products, including refrigerator magnets, computer mouse pads, and calendars are licensed by the USFWS's Duck Stamp Office to reproduce the image of the duck stamp on the items they sell. Part of the proceeds for such sales go to the USFWS to buy refuge lands. While the duck stamp image is the property of the USFWS, the artwork is not. The artists retain the rights to their art they earn a considerable amount of money selling prints of their winning designs to collectors.
The federal duck stamp program spans many years and touches many lives. But mostly, it's for the ducks.