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Eastern Bluebird Stamp
A 3-cent stamp was migrated to post offices around the country on the
wings of the Eastern Bluebird from April 3, 1996. The stamp, features a
male Eastern Bluebird
perched on a pink, flowering crab apple tree branch and previously
issued in 1991, came back again with one design change -- the denomination
is expressed as "3¢" rather than "03."
A member of the thrush family, the Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
is generally found in the eastern half of North America to the Rocky Mountains.
With a blue back, red breast, and white belly, the birds like to nest in
old woodpecker holes or hollow tree limbs.
Once very common in the United States, bluebirds are not as prevalent
as they once were. Competition for nesting sites from other birds, and
urban growth has decreased the bluebird population, though not to the point
of endangerment. Various conservation efforts have been organized around
the country in an effort to boost the bluebird population. In this effort,
nesting boxes are built and placed along a bluebird trail. A typical trail
consists of six to thirty boxes.
Technical Information
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Issue:
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Eastern Bluebird
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Denomination & Type:
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03
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3¢
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Format:
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Pane of 100
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Issue Date & City:
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June 22, 1991 |
April 3, 1996, Washington, DC
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Designer:
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Michael Matherly, Cambridge City, IN
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Art Director:
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Joe Brockert, Stamp Services, USPS
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Typographer:
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John Boyd, New York, NY
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Project Manager:
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Joe Brockert
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Modeler:
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Clarence Holbert
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Manufacturing Process:
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Offset
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Printer:
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Bureau of Engraving and Printing
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Printed at:
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BEP, Washington, DC
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Press Type:
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Web 6-Color Offset
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Print Quantity:
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317 million
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Paper Type:
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Non-phoshored, coated white
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Gum Type:
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Water-activated PVA
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Processed at:
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BEP, Washington, DC
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Colors (PMS Colors):
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Process Magenta, Yellow, Cyan, Black, and Yellow PMS 155
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Image Area:
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18.0 x 20.8 mm
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Overall Size:
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21.3 x 25.1 mm
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Full Pane Size:
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25.2 x 25.9 cm
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Plate Size:
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400 subjects
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Plate Numbers:
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Five (5) single digits
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Marginal Markings:
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"© USPS 1991" Price Plate Position Diagram
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