On June 29, 2018, in Hanover, Md., the U.S. Department of the Interior will issue the $25 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation stamp for the 2018-2019 waterfowl hunting season (RW85). The stamp is valid through June 30, 2019. The stamp features mallards by Robert Hautman of Delano, Minn. This is the third Federal stamp featuring Mr. Hautman’s winning artwork, (his other federal stamps are RW64 and RW68).
The First Day of Issue will take place at the Bass Pro Shop in Hanover. The event is free and open to the public. Check fws.gov for starting time and additional event information.
The 2018 stamp will be issued in three different formats: a pane of 20, an 85th Anniversary souvenir sheet of four and a self-adhesive single. This year will also see a BIG change for the stamp program.
There will be no traditional gum stamp issued in 2018. The new format, a self-adhesive pane of 20, will be issued for the first time. This will replace the traditional gum stamp. The perforated pane of 20 self-adhesive singles will yield a stamp that measures 1.89″ x 1.417″, approximately the size of the current Federal stamp. The pane will have the normal selvage markings and a plate number in all four corners. We presume this will allow for plate number singles and plate blocks. The self-adhesive pane of one (the dollar bill size) will be the same as it has been since 1998. The FDSO will also issue a special 85th Anniversary pane of four.
The Federal Duck Stamp Office has not yet released photos of the pane of one or the souvenir sheet. The photo of the single accompanying this article was obtained from the Postal Bulletin issued by the USPS. The Artist Commemorative souvenir card, which was first issued in 1995, will again be released, as will two different first day covers with cachets.
It appears there has been a shortage of the security paper used to print the gummed stamps looming for the past few years. The security paper has not been available in the United States and the overseas supplier was unable to fill the order this year. The printer, Ashton Potter of Williamsville, N.Y., is only doing pressure-sensitive adhesive stamps at this time.
The Federal Junior stamp will be issued at the same event on June 29. The format will not change for the Junior stamp, it will be issued as a gummed pane of 30. The Federal Junior stamp was not changed as it is not printed on security paper. JDS26 will picture an Emperor goose by Rayen Kang of Johns Creek, Ga.
