In September, 2010, the U.S. Postal Service released the 12th set of collectible postage stamps in its Nature of America series with the issue of the Hawaiian Rain Forest sheet of commemorative stamps.
USPS Hawaiian Rain Forest Stamps
The Hawaiian Rain Forest sheet focuses on the beauty and biodiversity of a Hawaiian rain forest. The sheet's artist, John D. Dawson, reflected the complexity of the rain forest by depicting 24 different species, with each species and their illustrated interactions being recommended and verified by scientists.
According to the official USPS press release, Dawson spent nearly a year in the field researching and photographing his Hawaiian Rain Forest subjects. An additional six months was spent creating the final artwork.
Nature of America U.S. Postage Stamps Series
The Nature of America commemorative stamps series began in 1999 with the Sonoran Desert issue. The series features a different ecosystem each year. A description of the subjects and species, as well as a numbered key to the artwork, appears on the back of each sheet of stamps.
In 1999, when the first Nature of America sheet was being designed, the USPS also issued a sheet of 15 stamps entitled The World of Dinosaurs. The Dinosaurs stamps were designed with a larger panoramic scene from which the 15 stamps were extracted, but the beauty of the scene was disturbed by the perforations in the stamps. It was therefore suggested that the similarly-designed Sonoran Desert stamps be produced in the new self-adhesive format, with die-cut, interlocking edges that allowed Sonoran Desert to appear as one large piece of art - with no distracting perforations. It also allowed for explanatory text to be printed on the back of each stamp.
- Sonoran Desert (1999)
- Pacific Coast Rain Forest (2000)
- Great Plains Prairie (2001)
- Longleaf Pine Forest (2002)
- Arctic Tundra (2003)
- Pacific Coral Reef (2004)
- Northeast Deciduous Forest (2005)
- Southern Florida Wetland (2006)
- Alpine Tundra (2007)
- Great Lakes Dunes (2008)
- Kelp Forest (2009)
- Hawaiian Rain Forest (2010)
The 2010 Hawaiian Rain Forest commemorative sheet is the 12th and final issue in the Nature of America commemorative stamp series.
Ordering Hawaiian Rain Forest First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
The USPS offers first-day-of-issue postmarks on Hawaiian Rain Forest stamps. Collectors have 60 days after the stamps go on sale to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. Customers may purchase stamps at any local Post Office, may buy stamps online at The Postal Store website, or may call 800-STAMP-24. Once acquired, stamps should be affixed to an envelope of the customer's choice and the envelope should then be addressed to the customer or another party. The envelope (or envelopes) should then be placed in a large envelope and mailed to:
- Nature of America: Hawaiian Rain Forest Stamp
- Postmaster
- Hawaii National Park
- 1 Kilauea Military CP
- Hawaii National Park, HI 96718-9997
First-day-of-issue postmarks are a free service offered by the USPS. The U.S. Postal Service will apply the first-day-of-issue postmark and then return the envelopes through the mail. All orders must be postmarked by 1 November, 2010.
Ordering Hawaiian Rain Forest First-Day Covers
The Stamp Fulfillment Services department of the USPS is offering first-day covers of the Hawaiian Rain Forest stamps postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. The Hawaiian Rain Forest first-day cover can be found in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-STAMP-24 or writing to:
- Information Fulfillment
- Dept. 6270
- U.S. Postal Service
- PO Box 219014
- Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Hawaiian Rain Forest - Buy Stamps Online
Stamp collectors who prefer to buy postage stamps online may purchase the Hawaiian Rain Forest stamps at USPS.com. In addition to individual stamps, other Hawaiian Rain Forest philatelic products are available, including First Day of Issue covers, uncut press sheets, and pre-stamped postcards.
