Hunting Permit (Duck) Stamps

Maybe I’ll just used the White Ace pages. They are nice, there’s ten of them. My friend even included a packet of mount strips.

Oliver always has the over the top delivery. I do not collect so learned a lot and not a story you will need read in Linn's.

The 2016 USA Duck Stamp, featuring the ruddy duck:

[ADMIN NOTE: this and the following post from pilot were initially posted on the Cinderella board and have been merged into this thread.]


I thought I would share a thread I started in another place in 2010

Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly known as "Duck Stamps," are pictorial stamps produced by the U.S. Postal Service for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. They are not valid for postage. Originally created in 1934 as the federal licenses required for hunting migratory waterfowl.

$1 MALLARDS.... Engraved by the Federal Bureau of Engraving from the original artwork of Jay N "Ding" Darling.

First Day of Sale: August 14, 1934

QUANTITY SOLD: 635,001

US Scott RW1

1939-1940 Green-winged Teal



Note: The Bureau of Biological Survey of the U.S. Department of Agriculture was transferred by Presidential order to the Department of the Interior on July 1, 1939. On July 1, 1940, the Bureau of Biological Survey and the Bureau of Fisheries were merged in the Department of the Interior to form the Fish and Wildlife Service.

First Day of Sale: July 1, 1939

Quantity Sold: 1,111,561

Art Work by: Lynn Bogue Hunt

US Scott RW6

The first Federal Duck Stamp, designed by Jay "Ding" Darling in 1934 at President Franklin D. Roosevelt's request, depicts two mallards about to land on a marsh pond. In subsequent years, other noted wildlife artists were asked to submit designs. The first contest in 1949 was open to any U.S. artist who wished to enter. Sixty-five artists submitted 88 design entries that first year. The number of entries rose to 2,099 in 1981. This is the only art competition of its kind sponsored by the U.S. Government.

A panel of noted art, waterfowl, and philatelic authorities is appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to judge each competition. Winners receive no compensation for their work, other than a pane of stamps carrying their design. Winning artists may sell prints of their designs, which are sought after by hunters, conservationists, and art collectors.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mails contest regulations to interested artists each spring. Artists may choose their own medium and designs may be in black-and-white or full color, and must measure 10 inches wide by 7 inches high.


Maynard Reece became one of the greatest duck stamp artists. Between 1949 and 1971, he won the Federal Duck Stamp Design Contest five times, a feat no other artist has matched.

1948-1949 Buffleheads

First Day of Sale: July 1, 1948

Quantity Sold: 2,127,603

Art Work by: Maynard Reece

US Scott RW15

It would be interesting to see a non-traditional maxicard with such a hunting permit stamp.

I have a question about USA ‘duck’ stamps. I plan to list some used singles from 1940s/50s as penny lots next week, but two of them are still on the licenses. So my question is - is a duck stamp on the license similar to a stamp on cover - best left as is? I don’t plan to soak them - oh lordie no -  just curious about how “duck hunters” feel about these issues. Thanks for the advice.

I just ran into some duck stamps. I didn't have much of an appreciation for them until I got them added to BOB album. All were low numbered RW##. I wouldn't mind getting a few more they are really nicely done. As I was looking through the album I ran into stamps I got from who knows where from who knows when. I ran into a set of Potato Tax stamps. I have never seen them offered before and how I got them I have no clue. But they sure nicely done and makes a great addition to the collection.
Nick