Bobwhite Stamp

On June 13, 1987, the U.S. Postal Service issued a sheet of 50 different stamps commemorating American wildlife. Many of the animals in the sheet are native to Georgia, but two -- the Bobwhite and the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly -- are official state symbols of Georgia. On March 20, 1970, Gov. Lester Maddox signed a joint resolution of the General Assembly naming the Brown Thrasher as Georgia's official state bird and the Bobwhite Quail as the official state game bird. According to that resolution, "Whereas, Georgia has long been hailed as the "Quail Capitol [sic] of the World", and it seems to be only fitting and proper that the Bobwhite Quail (of the genus colinis) be given the recognition it is due."

This marked the third time for the U.S. to issue a sheet of 50 different stamps (the first two occasions being the sheet of 50 state flags issued in 1976 to mark the American Bicentennial and the sheet of 50 state bird and flower stamps issued in 1982).

Interestingly, although the theme of the stamps was American wildlife, official first day of issue ceremonies were held in Toronto, Canada in conjunction with opening ceremonies for CAPEX 87 International Philatelic Exhibition. Additionally, the Postal Service had special pictorial cancellations prepared for release of the stamps simultaneously at Yellowstone, Yosemite, Everglades, and seven other U.S. national parks.

(c) Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia

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